As everyone now knows, the Unspeakable has happened.

For two years we have all quite rightly insisted that the travel warnings were totally exaggerated since nothing had ever happened in any Malian tourist destination. We were quite right to be indignant.

But no more.

The events I Timbuktu have changed everything. What will happen to Malian tourism?
It is still true that these events have taken place in the north of the country, in a place where the terrorists can escape into a vast and virtually uncharted land. It is unlikely that such attacks will take place anywhere but in places bordering the desert. But who knows anymore?

These monsters are ruining everything for a poor people who have been doubly hit since the harvest has all but failed.

There are still tourists here, but are they just on their way home? No one seems to be too scared however, and the sunset drinks were still had on the roof yesterday amongst laughter and cheerful travel tales.

But it is certain that the events spell trouble. What to do?

In a situation like this there is only one remedy: engage in something creative. In this case, start redecorating the bar. I had kept all bottle tops since the beginning of the hotel and these have now become a mosaic.