Sasquatch

“That’s just saaaasquatch. That’s what that is.” Think it’ll catch on? I’m gonna see if I can get people to start saying it. Sasquatch as an adjective, I like it. I got distracted by that awesome word. Oh, now I remember. So when I visited my friend’s village back when we tried to fix the pump I had a funny little experience. Stop me if I blogged this already. I was sitting on this beautiful hillside enjoying the setting sun and just taking in the amazing valley view. As I sat there I could hear some little herder boys singing as they came up the hill with their cattle. I waited there watching them come into view, sitting perfectly still so as not to disturb the scene. BUT such is the life of a Toubab, that would prove impossible. As the boy got a little nearer (oh I don’t know, like 150 yards—still pretty far) he noticed something different about the familiar hillside. He froze and staaaaaaaaaared. What is that? I probably shouldn’t have but I could NOT resist. As he stared at me trying to figure out what I was, I didn’t move an inch until I new he was really concentrating. Then, in my best sasquatch impersonation I suddenly, beastlikefully stood up and stared right back. The reaction was hilarious, even at such a distance—maybe because of the great distance. In true cartoon style, he turned tail and ran as fast as he could to his herder friend. It was like an Abbot and Costello move. He pointed and they both stared and deliberated on what I was. They were clearly scared. Then I started to lumber around and hide behind trees then come out again and then stare. When I started towards them they retreated. Soon the novelty ran out and I wanted to see what would happen if I started to stalk them. So I start going from rock to tree, closer and closer. They retreated closer to their neighboring village. Then they found a third boy and sent him up a large tree to get a better view of what was coming at them. When I was getting close enough to where they should have figured out what I was, I started to run. Then I stopped. I watched them. Then, finally—as if testing a theory—the boy in the tree shouted a tentative “Ça va?” So I rewarded their courage and intelligence with a clearly human double-hand raise salute. Crisis averted. It wasn’t sasquatch at all! It was just a Toubab. Rare to these parts.

So I walked over to the boys and talked to them and asked their names and which village they were from etc. Then I took their picture as a reward for being part of my little rouse. Fun was had by all… well… me anyway. Here is a picture of the two boys. Notice the third boy in the tree.

This picture is entitled: “Is this turning anybody on?” The photo clearly answers the title question.

Me, Hassana, Umu.

For the love of the North. Mopti-Gao love.