Thank you so very much for everything!

From the beginning of our trip through emails and my many questions up until the very end, you both have been tremendously helpful as well as kind. We haven’t felt like visitors at a hotel but as family. Your house is incredibly beautiful as well as your family and I want to thank you so much for allowing us to share in the culture and beauty of Timbuktu.

Even though it has only been a short trip we have learned and experienced so much. The camel trek was amazing and staying the night under the stars was simply life-changing.

I vow to return one day and will never forget my experience in Mali. You’re incredible people and I a; so glad I had the chance to meet you both as well as your son. I promise to keep in touch and will share the delight Sahara Passion and Timbuktu has brought me with the world.

Thank you so much!

Love Abby

Miranda and Shindouk,

I am so grateful to you for all you’ve done to make our stay in Mali and specifically Timbuktu the best possible. I can’t imagine a better reception or more helpful people. From the airport to Bamako then to Timbuktu, out to the desert for the night, the boat ride up the Niger river, the rooftop stay and everything else, it has been so incredible and I am so thankful to have been able to come to meet you. I have learned so much about the culture here and I have loved et. So many memories in such a short time.

Thank you so much!

Sincerely, Catherine

Dear Miranda and Shindouk,

We can’t thank you enough for your hospitality during our time at the Sahara Passion. Our visit to Timbuktu could not have been more of a sucess abd that was in large part because of all of your help. I can’t say that any of our friends will be coming here any time soon, bt should they, we’ll tell them this is the place to stay!!

A million thanks!! Lou & Abner

Merci Bequcoup for your kind hospitality. I was at home and hope to be back soon

Zandi

Thanks for everything Miranda !!
Great meeting you + shindouk
I hope to be back again + stay longer

Cheers
Jane

South Africa travel writer Ian Michler in the dedication to his book South Africa, the insider’s guide:

Many thanks for all the incredible experiences in Timbuctou and at the Festival we appreciate your friendship and hospitality.
Best Wishes
Ian Michler

Thank-you very much for your wonderful hospitality, we only wish we could have stayed for longer!

Sorry my French is “pas bien!”

Thank you for everything!

Naomi & Matthew

To all at Sahara Passion Thank you for providing such a great place to stay, it has been like a home away from home!
We'll be back in 2009 for the festival, Inshallah!
Luke and Ilana, U.K.

A tous à Sahara Passion Merci pour fournir un si bonne endroit à loger, c’était comme un chez hors de chez-soi! On sera de retour en 2009 pour le Festival Inchallah!
Luke et Ilana UK

Dear Miranda I am a Polish Traveler who visited your place at the beginning of 2007. Although I spent only one day wandering about Timbuktu I have plenty of Goregeous memories. I am trying to collect them and get them in some order. Miranda, you were very helpful. Once while you were pointing out places worth visiting you mentioned a site where water had been found could you tell this story again? I am very curious what happened in Timbuktu in the past. I am very interested in its ledgends. Miranda I hope you are well.... Many warm regards.
M.K.

Dear Miranda+Shindouk-
Thank you ever so much for the kind gifts! They were so thoughtful and we will certainly treasure them a very long time. We plan to mill the salt once we return home, + each time we do so we will remember the wonderful hospitality of you both. It was so refreshing to finally find such kind and helpful people after travelling amidst so many others who seemed more interested in just parting us from our money. It is because of you that we will always have fond memories of Timbuktu. So next winter, when we're back home + back to work thougths + memories of your hospitality + your beautiful town will help us through the cold months.

We will stay in touch + if you ever find yourselves in St. John's - or if you plan a trip to Cape Breton - Please let us know! All the best! Your Canadian Freinds!

Kelly and Karl

Tags: Security in Mali

Shindouk,

Enclosed is not a gift. It does not acknowledge the friendship that I feel in my heart toward a man who opened his world to me, a mere wanderer. It is a friendship, a closeness that grows when a person shows his thoughts and concerns and is open to the mind of his friends. No material gift can appreciate the joining of hearts through the communication of ideas.

This is not a gift. It does not acknowledge my appreciation of you leadership. It cannot honor you for a heritage handed to you through centuries maybe millennium of Tuareg, an inheritance that you bear so well. It does not express an admiration of you for your ability with words or the insights that you have provided. I cannot honor you for your strengths as a Tuareg while walking with the best of leaders in the many worlds in which you travel. Such gifts must come from those that are worthy of the giving.

This is merely a token from an old traveller, a traveller on a small quest of knowledge through direct experience. A token from a traveller who lacks the skill required for such a quest. This is a token from a learner who for a few days benefited from your friendship and leadership. This is a token from a minute flicker in you life who came to Timbuktu, and for a few days did not say "where will I lay my head" or "what will I eat" This is a token from a first-timer in Africa who benefited from your presence, who enjoyed your friends, and who felt the warmth of the children that grace your household.

Allen