Day 2: Mali – Djenne, Mopti
It was my third time in Djenne, and yet, it never fails to disappoint me. The city, declared a UNESCO heritage site, is made entirely of sand and mud, and home to the largest mud mosque in the world. It feels like you are walking within a giant sandcastle city, so it’s easy for your imagination to run wild. Last time I was here in October, we were allowed to enter the mosque. This time, at the height of the tourist season, entering the mosque was forbidden by non-Muslims.
![img_0256 Non-Muslims forbidden from entering mosque](https://manolosonamission.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/img_0256.jpg?w=570)
Non-Muslims forbidden from entering mosque
That didn’t prevent us from taking a gazillion pictures of the outside of the mosque. Here is just one.
After the morning in Djenne, we proceeded to drive to Mopti (2 hours away) right in time to take a sunset cruise on the Niger Rive (our 4th encounter).
![img_0393 In a Tuareg village off the river](https://manolosonamission.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/img_0393.jpg?w=570)
My brother and I in a Tuareg village off the river
![img_0382 My beau and I in a Bozo village of the Niger](https://manolosonamission.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/img_0382.jpg?w=570)
My beau and I in a Bozo village of the Niger
More on Day 3 tomorrow.