Day 72, Fri 11 Dec 2009, 7564km, Segou, Mali

Travelling alone makes for a great adventure but, on days like today, I really miss the companionship of the French trio: Kevin, Sharon and Biscuit Boy. Their communication and negotiation skills were invaluable for someone as linguistically challenged as me and with my French barely stretching to the larger denominations of the CFA I am more vulnerable than ever to being ripped off. Even when I get the French right my accent is rarely understood. For instance I couldn't even make myself understood when trying to buy 'au pain' from a lady earlier, and it was only half way through miming putting a baguette in my mouth and seeing the shocked look on her face that it dawned on me how wrongly my request could be construed! Having pushed it hard all day so I could enjoy a Friday night of music, beer and hopefully company in Segou, I now find myself settling down for the night at 9:30 as the only resident of some dirty, cheap ghetto accommodation - time to get the violins out!