Shorties 7: The Mauritania Railway: Backbone of the Sahara

Eldridge and Bob take down another “Shorties” episode and we head over to North Africa for a short look at a very long train in a very unforgiving country called Mauritania. We watched a short documentary by a filmmaker who calls himself “MacGregor” for some reason. The film is called “The Mauritania Railway: Backbone of the Sahara” and you can watch it here: https://www.theatlantic.com/video/index/576562/mauritania/ This three kilometer train hauls iron ore and hitchhiking merchants hundreds of kilometers across the Sahara. Life is tough in a country that didn't officially ban slavery until not very long ago. “MacGregor” sets a lovely wide shot, and poverty has never looked so smooth. The director’s real name is Miguel de Olaso. We’re not sure why he goes with “MacGregor”. Just assume he thinks he’s better than you. I heard he wants to fight you next time he catches you at the Arby’s®. Watch your ass. Apologies to MacGregor. Keep on Doccin’. www.documenteerspodcast.com Here’s a link to the song “Jraad” by Malouma that you hear in the episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdFDU_VB5ds Here’s a link to another song by Khalifa Ould Eide & Dimi Mint Abba called “Yar Allahoo” that we couldn’t fit into the episode, but really enjoy it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKBjKPi4xmw