The Sahara

And this is really why I came.....after many miles of riding through an area that reminded me of west Texas around the Big Bend, we approached the high dunes we could see from a distance. I thought at first they were mountains because in the late afternoon, they were casting shadows on themselves. The camel driver was there to meet us with a string of 5 camels, called dromedaries here. There were 2 couples from Madrid going to the Bivouac Aswad. Our guides wrapped our heads with a scarf to protect us from the sun and it really helped. We mounted up and started out into the desert, slowly circling around dune after dune. The ride wasn't uncomfortable yet not something you'd want to do for hours. I guess that's why the natives are are often pictured walking beside them. About an hour out, the sun was setting behind us, so we dismounted to take photos.. The Spaniards didn't speak English but I was able to practice my Spanish and we enjoyed each other's company.. It took about 1.5 hours to reach the camp and it was exactly as pictured on their website. We were taken to our individual tents and they were spacious, large enough for a queen bed, a sitting area with a sofa and table, and, behind a tied back curtain, a full bath with a shower. We were greeted by the staff with mint tea to refresh us, temperature was 98 degrees but dropping with the setting sun. The sand was very fine, tiny golden grains. I'm going to try to bring home a little to add to my basket of Remembrances.

After a cooling shower, dinner was served on a table set out in the open in a manner in which one would find in any nice restaurant. We started with a mixed vegetable salad followed by grilled chicken and beef, French fries (!), and finally a plate of fresh melons. After dinner, the traditionally clothed staff all brought out their different kinds of drums and the music began with singing chants accompanied by their beat. They were really good! The guests were gradually brought into the drumming as one by one we took the place of one of the drummers. I was given the djembe to play! 🎶 ☺️. Dancing began and everyone was involved. It was a delightful evening under the full moon in the desert,lots of fun. As beautiful as it was with a full moon, I would like to come back for a black night of stars. The party continued and I wanted to experience the silence of the desert, so I asked which direction to walk. When I was alone with the quiet, I was able to practice a bit of Yin Yoga on the warm sand. When I returned to camp, all was quiet and everyone had gone to bed. It was around 12:30 am. We all arose early to catch the sunrise before a breakfast of yogurt, fresh fruits,scrambled eggs and their own bread. It was soon time to leave, time to mount the camels and start our trek back to civilization, where we were met by our guides to continue our journey through Morocco.

Today we visited a gorge in the High Atlas Mountains which is also an oasis filled with date palms. The sides of the gorge are so high it makes one dizzy to look up at them, like looking up an elevator shaft. A crystal clear shallow river runs through the gorge and many people were sitting and/or swimming in the deeper pools. We've stopped for the night in Dades at the Xaluca Hotel - and I'm able to enjoy my first glass of wine since leaving home! Such is. Life in a Moslem country.

I've been very pleased with my driver and guide, Youssef and Ahmed. They're very attentive and want to do whatever they can to make the trip comfortable and enjoyable as possible- even offering to lend me money if needed because of the lost debit card. I assured them I have enough cash on hand to make it home again. Tomorrow on to Marrakesh....


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