17.12.04 - 18:31

Here are some pictures of the women we affectionately call "the Leather Ladies." They have a boutique in Kiffa where they do henna and sell handmade leather goods. The old lady is especially ebullient. When she sees us pass, she throws up her hands and runs to us. Her run is actually a bit of a hobble; she has the most gigantic buttocks I have ever seen and they operate independently of one another. Her sparse hair is twisted into a plait at the top of her head and her eyes are curiously bright. Her cry is always "marhaba" repeated dozens of times in quick succession. So, here we are:

Me getting henna done on my hands before Tabasky. They squeeze the henna paste out of a plastic bag - kind of like one of those frosting decorating bag things. (Go go powers of articulation!)

Here am I with the old lady. The lovely gentleman featured on the poster is the Mauritanian president Maaouiya ould Taya - his posters are ubiquitous. The doll behind us is a bride doll, such as I got Sara and John for their wedding in June. The doll is wearing a traditional black wedding mulaffa and sits astride a mini camel saddle.

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