After breakfast, we set out to explore the old town. We planned a nice walk with Sylvette and Sidi, our hosts at the stay. We visited 2 family libraries, the market, and walked around the old town all the way to where the dunes start.
It is interesting to think how everybody on earth starts with the same basic DNA coding ... then, by the luck of the draw, we are born in different places, some in the west, some in Africa, some in the East, some rich, some poor, some learn Arabic and some Spanish or Chinese, exposed to different food, customs, weather ... and then we begin to learn and experience the world fro all different angles ... but that basic DNA is the thread that unites us all ... it contains the basic wiring that transcends ... love, family, children, laughter, eating together, playing, learning, curiosity. All from the same one.
We visited the Habott and the Amit Mahmood libraries with their hosts Abdullah and Seif. Truly amazing ancient manuscripts ... poetry, mathematics, medicine, astronomy from the 9th to the 19th century but most from the 12th to the 16th century. Our host Seif told us an also about the history of the town and many other things. Very entertaining. Including the fact that Chinguetti is considered the 7th holy city of islam after Mecca, Medina, Jerusalem, etc.
Went back to lunch and, after a nice rest, went out to the dunes on Siri's 4x4 and to visit his garden ... in the desert! ... palm trees, oranges, mandarines, mangos, hibiscus. A small pot that has belonged to his family for a long time. Then we went to the dunes to wait for the sunset ... it did not disappoint.
Tomorrow, we head back to Nouakchott ... a long way back but at least the 80km of dirt are the first thing of the day this time : )
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