PART I - Dogon Trek
So for Christmas we went on a 2 night 3 day trek into Dogon Country. The trek consisted of hiking through beautiful desert landscapes during the day and sleeping in rural Dogon villages at night. The hike was awesome except Aaron got sick and started pucking blood on the first day and had to be evacuated but I got to finish the hike.
A Tellem village up in the cliffs - they are the people who dewelled in these lands before the Dogons.
The ancient Tellem Capital
Joe on top of Mt. Youga
Breakfast at a nice campement (village hostel) in the village of Koundou
A sweet Dogon dancePART II - Back to village
Bubba got better and we headed back to our village for a little bit with a few other friends, Jenny and Joelle.
Ashley, Joelle and Bubba outside our house
Ashley sitting with the Baba (Chief of the Village) - far left, Baba's wife and a village elderPART III - NEW YEARS EVE & Joe's 29th Birthday
Jenny, Joelle, Ashley, Joe, and Bubba are ready to hit the town of Mopti for New Years Eve
The view from the Bissap Cafe, where we ate Pizza and watched the sunset over the Niger River
I must be old, I needed to drink a Redbull to stay up and play dominos
New Years Domino's game
The view from the Bissap Cafe, where we ate Pizza and watched the sunset over the Niger River
I must be old, I needed to drink a Redbull to stay up and play dominos
New Years Domino's gamePART IIII - Boat trip on the Niger
The people of the boat
We slept on the boat for three nights and each night was a bit cold but Ashley stayed warm in her sleeping bag
The Niger is beautiful
Aaron, Ashley and Joe
Aaron hanging out with the people of Tonka (a small fishing village) as our boat ports to drop off some goods
Our boat at the harbor in Tonka waiting to be loaded with goods and passangers to head down the Niger
The upper deck of the boat
Sitting on top of the boat for a great sunsut
ALWAYS GREAT to here from you, but best of all we LOVE, LOVE the pictures. One year from now we will be there for the JOE Wollersheim "BIG 30"!
ReplyDeleteThank you guys for keeping up the Blog, we show everyone, everytime we have the chance. It really helps us to feel connected with you.
Love and Miss you Soooo Much.
Dad and Mom
Happy belated birthday JOE.... another year and you will be the big 30; twice my age: OMG !!!!!!!!!!!! From your`favorite and only father-in-law.... RANDY
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you both! Hope your Christmas was good. I love the pictures and the videos. You're still smiling so that's a good thing!
ReplyDeleteWe sent you a package a week before Christmas but I don't know if you've gotten it yet. I hope you haven't read the books, they aren't on "Joe's list".
Need a new pic of the pie chart. How much longer?
Rob and I and the kids went to TX for Christmas. Randy was there and so was Aubrey and her family. It was a lot of fun. I just love the Martins and can't express enough how lucky I am to be one.
We STILL miss you guys but the blog and pics help. Take care and God bless you both.
Hi Joe and Ashley,
ReplyDeleteIt's good to see more updates. I can't believe christmas has come and gone already. Now it's a new beginning to 2009!!! like always it's good to see more pictures. I like the one where Ashley is in her sleeping bag and all you can see is her cute face. I always like the ones of the sunset. Well most important I like to see both of you.
Anna just had her 4 month doc. appt. She is healthy and weighs 18 pounds and 7 ounces. She also had to get more shots and of course mommy doesn't like to see her baby cry. She is almost sitting by herself and she is rolling over at times too.
Anna will start to eat cereal and then on to baby food. Wow how time flies. I have to go talk to you later.
Love Jody,Ben and Anna
The pics are amazing! I love the one of Ash and Bubba trying to "fit in"....they look so AUTHENTIC! I am glad you had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year...I still miss you tons and I am gathering some "items" to send a package...I'll get it in the mail soon...love you lots and miss you more!
ReplyDeleteLove Big Sis,
Aubs
hi joe and ash. i love your pics. i forgot to write and say happy birthday joe. i guess it may be your most memorable birthday yet and possibly to come... well minus your first birthday with kids or something, i guess your little ones would feel rejected if mali hit higher on the charts than them. anyways that is in the future. love you guys. love joanna
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh. Looks like FUN!!!
ReplyDelete