This week is a short and sweet one:

Mauritania is home to one of the longest trains in the world. Stretching to over 3 kilometers long, the “Train du Desert” runs daily to and from the port city of Nouâdhibou in Northern Mauritania to the iron ore mines of Zouérat, deep in the Sahara 704km away. Each car on the train can carry 84 tons of iron ore, and it is possible to hitch a ride on this bad boy, making the overnight journey on top of the train. CNN actually ran an article about it earlier this year when a newlywed couple from Europe decided to honeymoon on top of the train. There is also a killer Youtube documentary that was just released that talks about the journey. Really recommend watching:

I’m not sure what hanging out and sleeping on a bed of iron ore will do to your lungs, but I definitely want to get a ride on this thing if I can help it while I am here.

Until next time! –Nick