Beam Me Down
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.This week's random co-ordinates chosen by the computer are:
11 52' N 7 31' W
FIRST REACTION
It strikes me that desertification and global warming are not myths.
COUNTRY AND REGION
Southern Mali, in west Africa.
NATURE OF THE TERRAIN
Dusty landscapes, tinted with green, interspersed with melancholy cotton fields.
ALTITUDE
Between 500 and 1,000 metres.
NEAREST SETTLEMENT
A tiny settlement called Kolondieba is slightly to the east of where you have landed.
POSSIBLE HAZARDS
Bilharzia, which begins with an itchy rash where parasites have entered the skin. The sometimes fatal disease - other symptoms include abdominal pain, coughing and fever - is caused by tiny flukes which leave their freshwater snail hosts to burrow into human skin and multiply in the bloodstream. Avoid swimming in that seductively muddy irrigation canal.
USEFUL LANGUAGES
Mande or Malinke, which is spoken by the Bamana, the largest linguistic community in Mali - roughly one million in number.
TAKE ME TO YOUR LEADER
President Alpha Oumar Konare.
LIKELY WEATHER CONDITIONS
Monumentally hot, between 29C-32C (94F). The rainy season generally lasts from June to September so you may catch the last of the season's welcome downpours.
REASONS FOR HANGING AROUND
The chance to do the last great river journey in West Africa on the River Niger. The river is navigable for 1,300km (800 miles) from Gao in the north to Bamako in the south. You could also visit Timbuktu, the "forbidden city" in the deserty north of the country.
GETTING THE HELL OUT OF THERE
Hitch a ride from Kolondieba (the nearest settlement) to Sikasso, Mali's southernmost town. From there, flag down a passing bus and take the main highway north west to Mali's capital, Bamako. From here it will be a slow trip home as most flights are routed through to Abidjan, in the Ivory Coast; Lagos, Nigeria; or Accra, Ghana.
Compiled by Suzanne Fisher
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments