Hooville Gathering... in the Sahara!

[Trixie]

Since there's no "Africa" section on the board, I guess the Lounge is the best place to post this.

For my annual travel experience this year, I've decided to try to head to Niger for the Gerewol / Cure Salee Festivals. The Cure Salee is an age old festival held on the edge of the Sahara at the end of the rainy season (mid September). At that time, nomads from throughout the Sahara converge to feed their herds on the fresh grass, compete in various events (camel races, etc.) and have a good time in general. Concurrently, the Wodaabe people hold their Gerewol,(in the same location) which is a celebration centered around an elaborate, ritualized male beauty pageant.

These festivals are held in the middle of nowhere, and cannot be easily reached by the solo budget traveller (my usual mode). However, a growing number of European and even a few American tour companies are offering tours to these amazing spectacles. I would love to put together a small group of Hoovillians who feel ripe for this sort of grand adventure! It may not be the "lap of luxury" sort of trip many of you are used to - in fact, I can promise you it will most likely be downright uncomfortable... average temps in the Sahara that time of year are + 100° F - expect heat exhaustion, insect bites, diarrhoea, shitting in sand dunes, no showers... an experience of a lifetime!

Apart from the desert festivals, Niger has a great many other attractions, including lonely desert oases and a fabulous National Park called "W" where big game is quite easy to see.

In any case, if anyone out there would be interested in such an excursion, contact me. A group of four to six or so would make a great little foray into the Saharan party zone.

 

Trix

[flguy]

Trix: Sounded good until you said 100 degrees plus. I get enough of that in Florida in September, prefer a trip to the Artic or somewhere cold. Thanks for the offer.

[Trixie]

But... but... it's a DRY heat!

 

 

Trix