Timbuktu Blues: When the Desert Heat Hits Your Soul
woke up to this heat...the thermometer's hitting triple digits, so yeah, it's...there right now, hope you like that kind of thing. i mean, 37.8c feels like a sauna with a side of existential dread. the air is thick, sticky, and smells faintly of dust and...well, dust. i just checked the pressure too, 1011hpa, feels like 34.7c. great. just great. the humidity's a measly 8%, which means my hair is doing its own interpretive dance and my skin is begging for mercy. but hey, at least the sea level pressure is normal, right? right.
i stumbled out of my dusty guesthouse this morning, feeling like a melted candle, and the first thing i noticed was the silence. not the peaceful kind, the 'where did everyone go?' kind. it's like the whole town packed up and left for shade. maybe they're all hiding under palm trees, sipping mint tea, plotting their escape. if you get bored, [cities] are just a short drive away. i heard someone tell me that Gao has better coffee, but i haven't verified that gossip yet. i'm still trying to find a decent cup that doesn't taste like boiled sand.
i wandered towards the river, hoping for a breeze, but it was just hot air sighing. the locals move slow, like they're made of molasses. i saw an old man selling dates, his face etched with stories i'll never understand. he gave me a look that said 'you're crazy for being out here,' but i just smiled and bought a bag.
i need a break from this heat. maybe i'll find some shade, or maybe i'll just keep wandering until i find a place with air conditioning and a good playlist. if you're curious, check out the reviews on TripAdvisor for local guesthouses. or maybe just avoid them.
here's the view from my temporary perch:
and the silence is...intense.
someone told me that the music scene here is...unique. i'll believe it when i hear it. for now, i'm just trying to survive the day without melting.
related: if you're into desert survival tips, this blog has some good links. also, check out the local tourism board's website for 'things to do' that don't involve heatstroke.
#travel #timbuktu #desertvibes #soulsearching #messytravels
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