C. and I have been talking for ages about going to the Luna Parc at night to take photos. Well, she leaves next week (boo hoo) so we finally got our act together and on Tuesday we drove over there. (It's only about 100 yards up Koulikoro Road.) I don't know why I thought we would be the first ones to do this -- of course we weren't. There is a sign at the entrance that says you must address yourself to the Photo Service before taking photographs in the park. We did, and they told us there was a fee, but of course the fee was not posted anywhere. 6000 CFA, they said. $12?!?! Whatever. We started to walk away. They called us back to dicuss the price. C, bolder than I, peeked in their receipt book and saw that customers had paid 500 CFA to have their photos taken by the official park photographer. We offered to pay 500 each and they accepted.

During the bargaining we missed the best light ("the time of day when even the ugly people look beautiful") but we were really there to take pictures of the lights at night.

Later, we went to our second night-shoot destination: the Station Etoile. This gas station is truly a star, a beacon in the night ... When all its lights are on, and not covered up, as they were Tuesday night.

Ah well -- I can go back. The best part of the whole night was seeing how easy it was. While it took a lot of time and a little courage the first time, revisiting these places will be a breeze.

You can see the best ones I got in my Luna Parc photset on Flickr, and you should check out C's pics too.