"The food in this land is very spicy. My mouth was on fire after every meal, but I still enjoyed it."

"I was once given a ride on a boat made of reeds. It was very flimsy, and I was afraid it would sink."

"The people of this city are very skilled in craftsmanship. They make beautiful pottery and intricate textiles."

"The women here are not veiled, and they are not shy. They speak openly with men."

"In Mali, I saw a man eat an entire roasted sheep by himself, and then drink a bucket of sour milk. The people there have stomachs like camels."