October 2020 was a significant moment in my life ... I finally had the opportunity to go to Africa to meet my family in Bamako (the capital of Mali). I was born in France and the last time I went to Mali, I was only 3 years old. I had absolutely no memory of this first trip, so it was very important to me to go back there again! I needed to see my family, to better understand my personal history, and see where I came from. To be honest, I don't think Mali is a tourist destination. However, people are really warm, kind, and generous. They don't live with a lot of things, but they'll do anything to make you feel comfortable!

I'm very proud to be Malian <3. 

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My family took me to the city zoo on my first day in Bamako. I really loved sharing this moment with them. I found this zoo very pretty, green and there were a lot of beautiful plants. It wasn't crowded, so it was very pleasant too. Unfortunately, there wasn't my favorite animal: the giraffe! But it's not a big deal, I saw for the first time a new variety of fish and animals including hyenas hehe. 

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I also went to the largest market in Bamako a.k.a "Le Grand Marché de Bamako". I don't know how I could describe this place haha. There, you can find everything you want like clothes, shoes, jewelry, objects, drinks, food, etc... Honestly, there are thousands of stands! But beware: I've never seen so many people in a market before ... So, if you are uncomfortable in crowded places, don't go there! It could be very dangerous with the heat (about 35 degrees in October). It's also a huge place, so try to go there accompanied for more safety. My favorite area of the market was definitely the one dedicated to artisanal handicrafts! There were amazing paintings, sculptures, decorations, and many other things ... I also had the privilege to see some craftsmen while they were working, and it was so cool!

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To finish, I'm so grateful for this journey, and I hope I can return there. This time, I didn't visit all the famous spots because it wasn't the main goal of this trip, but I still saw many interesting things and beautiful places!  Assitan <3