“The Niger is more than a river; it is a kind of faith.” – The Cruelest Journey
Not only needing the adventurous and courageous spirit of a traveler, Salak also required the physical fitness and stamina to complete the goal at hand – a 600 mile paddle down the Niger River to Timbuktu.
Kira Salak is very observational on her travels and as she feels all the feelings of joy and frustration on her journey she shared it all with us. From the exhilaration of starting the journey into the unknown, to the hardship, frustration, physical pain, and despair, to the final sprint, the exultation of completing the challenge set for herself and the strength she felt. She did express some flashes of western impatience but always tried to bring herself back to center and calm.
“I start to see with glaring clarity, how little I actually do need, and how strongly the West tries to convince me otherwise.” – The Cruelest Journey
I would disagree with her disbursement of cash when it seemed to be for no apparent reason. She gets angry when people ask for money yet she is (secretly) exacerbating the problem. For more information on this topic read on in these links:
Uncornered Market – Should travelers give to kids who beg
G Adventures Responsible Travel Child Welfare Code of Conduct
National Geographic Sustainable Travel Tips
“No place is safe. Safety, itself, is an illusion.” – The Cruelest Journey
It was interesting to learn about the Tuareg and how she describes them as the leisure class of Mali who do no domestic work and maintain slaves for that purpose. With this extra time, they’ve enhanced their Music Culture.
“I see that Timbuktu is better off left to name and fancy. It is a place that’s not meant to be found.” – The Cruelest Journey
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- What did you think about the different tribal villages along the river and the unknown reception she’d receive from each village?
- Do you think the slave girls “started a business” or do you think they got sucked back into a dehumanizing situation?
FURTHER READING:
VIDEO: Salak’s four steps to prepare for adventure
The Vision Seeker’s article in NY Times Magazine
