Diabaly 2 - April 4

Right, I’m supposed to be talking about food. We’re staying in a compound run by the subcontractor doing all the survey work and so they have a cook. The food has been good, solid, and really pretty reasonably varied given what the cook has to work with. Today was market day in Kouroumari, a kilometre or so away, and so there were carrots with the rice at lunch and fresh lettuce to accompany dinner. I love everyday basic food (i.e. rice and sauce, fonio and sauce, tô and sauce – you get the idea) with lots of piment (crushed superhot chili peppers) Maggi (salty pseudo-soy sauce; I wouldn’t eat in a canteen without it) and mayonnaise – yes, people, I can feel you recoiling as you read that.