river at sunset





 

The Niger River is a 5-minute walk away from our apartment.  The river flows through the city so a lot of people live pretty close to it.  There is a cultural center with riverfront property in our neighborhood, and everyone is allowed to walk around the grounds.  Even donkeys, so you have to watch where you step!  I've gone down there a few times recently at sunset.  It is between 2 of the city's 3 bridges.  I can see cars and motorcycles crossing the bridges, but from the grassy river bank I can't hear the noise, and they are far enough away to look like toys.  The buildings downtown across the river seem shrouded in a magical mist, of course it is really only gross pollution smog, but I like to imagine.  If I wait for a bit a pirogue will pass by (that's what those long skinny boats are called.)  There is an ethnic group called the Bozo people who fish.  The guys in the pirogues are sure to be Bozo fishermen.  One throws a net, but no fish.  In the middle of a fast-paced and crowded city it is calm and open on the river.