The Lady of the House
Oualata, Mauritania 2005
A girl belonging to one of the few families living in the mostly abandoned village stands near a typically decorated door.
Oualata was once an important stop on the caravan route from Tombouctou to the markets of Marrakesh and Fes. Now it is deserted. The few families who live there continue to paint geometric designs on their homes and decorate their doors in this Berber style.
We slept in the only “hotel”. Sand had drifted up to the doorways, obviating the need for stairs. There were no doors on the rooms, but that was a good thing as it was cooler that way.