Five stories from the deserts of Africa
Tunisia
It was there, looking out the car window when I realized. He had a few miles of sand stuck in my eye, not minced, enjoying this strange environment without shadows. I think one of the things that struck me was the absence of birds. Suddenly, do not know why, I thought when looking at a distant bird floating in the sky. It seemed weightless; distant, absent. Can there be a sky without birds?
The wind, the same wind that we had put the land on the way up encallarnos, dunes move at will. It was there that I began my fascination with deserts.
That P-16 Tunisian road crossed the mountain oasis of calm waters rock gorges outgoing; He crossed the immense salt lake Chott el-Jerid, in which a strange red line liquid warned that there began nowhere; fonda was in the unique city of Tozeur, where we harbored the centennial dates desert, and headed to the heart of the Sahara marked by herds of wild camels grazing powder. Suddenly, I drove a Renault Clio unprepared unprepared for what they were my hands, when I spent a mound of sand, the car skidded, took us to the curb and got stuck in the sand of the Sahara. Then out of the car, joke, we care, returned to joke and for a moment I looked around. There was nothing. Only infinite sand drawing shapes inaccurate. The wind, the same wind that we had put the land on the way up encallarnos, dunes move at will. It was there that I began my fascination with deserts.
Morocco (a few years later)
We barely had time to get. Everything suddenly rushed. Juancho, a friend ,talking to a guy who wanted to sell fossils, bracelets or Sahara sand, all that was left in that place. I tried to pick up the pace with the feeling that one could watch a sunset. In the distance they saw a caravan of camels climbed the dunes to their camp of tents. We managed to reach a good place to watch the sunset. Prepared the tripod and camera. I was on the crest of a high dune and the sun began to hide in the distance. Juancho I asked to be seated in the next ridge and took a picture that has accompanied from the beginning to this magazine. Crhistian, meanwhile, struggled to retain a camera moody imprecise. That was what surprised us, suddenly appeared a range of colors which seemed to blend diffuse palette there in the clouds. That night, near Erg Chebbi, we fell asleep for a moment in the open while playing counting shooting stars. Again I felt the gift of infinite solitude.
Heard amid the darkness blind laughter of the hyenas break the sky in two.
Kalahari
On my first visit to Kalahari decided worsen the choice of Tunisia and I entered a Volkswagen Polo for ways in which some four×4 had problems. This time punctured two wheels. Iman El es un Kalahari, has a soul. A place where herds of wildebeest Springbook and take shelter when the sun threatens to engulf us all; in which the lions lie beneath the thin shadows frightened; where you see cheetahs hunt in the dust and on that first night, while taking a wine with my cabin, heard amid the darkness blind laughter of the hyenas break the sky in two. I shook those cries of throwing the desert life. Again the feeling of being very small, this time with life around me. I will never forget those nights.
Soon the wind began to hit hard, great force. It was tiring forward, Sunglasses were not able to protect the eyes
Namibia Desert
The night before had not slept. The very strong sand storm had knocked my tent and the truck was only able to take a nap. At five o'clock we set off. You had to get there fast to the famous Dune 45 Namib Desert, the highest in that beautiful desert. The wind was still hard, aunque at times it seemed that the IBA amainarse. The challenge was to see sunrise over the crest of the giant sand. We started climbing a large group, about 30 people were attacking in the top row. Soon the wind began to hit hard, great force. It was tiring forward, Sunglasses were not able to protect the eyes. The sand hit by all directions and at times had the feeling back. Many people choose to do, down. I doubt, really is a trying ordeal, but looking back I see that I have already done half the way. I still. Fatigue is breaking my legs. I let go of the first to see the rise and like I am a German gazelle paced. I spend four people, then fifth and sixth… The light begins to dawn harder. The sun is about to leave his lair. I accelerate a little. Exhausted, really exhausted, read crest. Far, after a sea of dunes, a ball of light appears. The image is shocking though the wind still pounding furiously and just lets us gaze.
Little Karoo
The harsh desert tamed by Afrikaners. The garden in the dust. The garden that is baked in the sun. The miracle of changing the water and wind. A lovely secluded place and they live in retreat many Boers. A place where I met and heard stories that made me understand a little more complicated South African essence. Long asphalt road, only without cars, surrounded by a dry domesticated. Dirt roads that are lost as arms of an octopus to remote places where you expect an unimaginable ostrich farm full. Suddenly a long row of apricot, apple, vines. Vastness again in the eyes that are entangled. The Little Karoo is a semi-desert south of Africa.
Since I can only look north and start walking again to walk again on Africa and its deserts. Places where I have not been as Libya, they say most beautiful hides the Sahara; Kenya and dry route to Lake Turkana and Sudan and peaceful life overlooking the Nile.
Comments (3)
fernando moreno grandson
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the best sites in the world
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Telemak
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I was fascinated and delighted these historias.Me gives healthy envy. Only those who are lovers of the desert and look for the unique images and adventure is to know what stories to tell of the desert.
Sometimes I think if it would not be possible (the deserts) one of the wonders of the world for many stories lived and also why they are coming.
I said…envy healthy but above all thank you very much for sharing your stories!!
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javier Brandoli
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Hello Telemako. Deserts catch you. A seeing your comment reread this text,a few years ago, and I returned those experiences. I did not remember I mentioned my desire to go to the Turkana in Kenya and the Nubian Desert in Sudan. I did. Both are awesome. This text should update and add some others like Death Valley USA and the desert of Australia. A hug
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