The Gibsons online blog

We spent the morning visiting our friend Hawa, a Tuareg lady who originates from the town of Timbuktu in Mali. In the middle of her yard is a makeshift tent made up of old UN grain sack and black plastic sheets on a rickety wooden frame. The Tuareg people have a tremendous tradition of hospitality and no sooner had she sat us down than she began preparation to be a proper hostess. It's very humbling to be on the receiving end from a lady who barely has two pennies to rub together, but to refuse would be very insulting and so we enjoyed reconnecting again following our year away over a bowl of rice and sauce. She seemed thrilled to have us visit her at this time of local celebration.

Today marks the end of Ramadan in Djibo town. In the weeks leading up to the new moon celebrations the tailors in the market are at their busiest working round the clock to get all their orders finished on time. As a tribute to their craft the streets of Djibo had been transformed into what can only be described as a fashion parade as men, women and children display their finest new attire. The visiting of neighbours and friends keeps the streets bustling with a myriad of colour and the children make their way from door to door with the all too familiar greeting of Keburuaaga as they stretch out their hands with the expectation of a small gift, monitory or otherwise (always good to have a large bag of sweets at this time lest you empty you pockets of all your change).

Our afternoon was spent at home opening our door to numerous smartly dressed Fulani children, only we hadn't thought ahead by buying the recommended large bag of sweets. Needless to say we now have no loose change and our stock of biscuits have been seriously depleted much to Sam's displeasure.