Snapshots of life in Kita

Found these kids bathing at the top of a small waterfall from the recent rains.

Inside of a bus on the way from Kita to Manatali. Keep in mind this is one of the nicest buses I've ever ridden in Mali. Usually they're so bumpy, hot as hell, stinky, with dirty curtains and broken seats. This one was remarkably better and pleasant.

One of my favorite past times in Kita - going shopping in the "dead Toubab" piles. This is my buddy, Michelle, as we were shopping. These clothes are somehow sold or donated to Mali from America or European countries (mostly). And it's a very cheap way for Malians to have clothing. They often wear their clothes to the point of ruin, out of need. The average cost of a shirt is probably 250 CFAs, or 50 cents American. 

"Dead Toubab" piles

You'll also find Malians wearing a lot of shirts in English that they don't understand. This one hangs right up front in the "Dead Toubab" section of the Kita market. I've seen more boobies in Mali than in my whole life. Breastfeeding left and right, women walking around without shirts (esp old women) or braless women with baggy clothes on. Boobs are everywhere here!

Barack Obama is also everywhere. Everyone wears shirts with his face or name. He's on backpacks, wallets, belts, clothes, stickers, restaurants, barber shops, cabs, tea boxes, mayonnaise jars, ball caps, suitcases, buildings, etc. He's everywhere.

View of Kita from a hill on the way to the mountain

View of the storm during a hike to Kita's mountain. It's rainy season, and it's been raining almost every day. This sky is an everyday occurrence here. 

The old, yellow former gas jug is what Malians use for transporting drinking water, well water, and so many other liquids. 

This is the first time I hiked the Kita mountain - and we stopped through and took snapshots of Kita. There is a lot of graffiti in Mali. This "Lil Wene" is no exception. 

This looks like French, but you'll also find graffiti in English or Spanish. It's always very random - such as "California boyz" etc

You see the crowds of farm animals. They're everywhere - in the roads, in your backyard, on the Kita mountain. In the background is also a lady carrying something on her head - another thing that's everywhere here. Women don't carry things with their hands here. 

Kita mountain

Just an old, chipping, worn out building. 

Near the train tracks. There's a train that runs through the west side of Mali, and it runs through Kita. Near the mountain. 

Most of the butikis paint pictures of the services they offer. This salon is no different. Oftentimes for salons, you'll see pictures of Barack Obama painted on the building. Pictures are vital for Malians for marketing - because most Malians can't read. 

This billboard encourages them to get AIDS tests. It says they're available, free, voluntary and confidential. This is very important here in Mali - especially because of the lack of condom usage here. Oftentimes, Malians think condoms are taboo or they don't use them because of superstition. It's very difficult for women to insist on condom usage because their partners may think they're sexually active or that there's something wrong with them. Among other reasons. Although AIDS testing is very important, Mali has one of the lowest rates of AIDS infections in Africa, at about 2%. 

In this blog I've mentioned the shacks. That they're held together by whatever materials Malians can easily and cheaply get their hands on...here is a prime example. 

This is a nyegen with graffiti.

KU represents, even here in Mali! Rock Chalk Jayhawks! Ps this is the 4th KU shirt I've found. KState - 0. Mizzou - 0.