To catch the morning sunrise over the Sahara I would have to wake up rather early. I set my alarm for 5am before I went to bed just after midnight. Even though my watch began to chirp, at five I could already see light peeking over the horizon. As my mind and body struggled to get up I finally pulled myself out of the tent and looked at the massive dune that awaited me yet again. Camera and water on my back, I started out on what thankfully would be my last ascent of the sandy behemoth. I had started up the east face at about 0530 and after thirty minutes of battling sand and a growing wind I finally made it to the top. Only a few minutes after I reached the summit the intensely glowing orb of light rose above the dunes below to make for one of the most brilliant sights in Africa. By now the wind at the top was gusting and whipping sand over the crest of the dune. The sun in the desert was larger than I had ever seen it before and the view that the height of the dune gave presented a miraculous view of orange waves for miles around. I lingered for as long as I could, knowing that this sight was one I would be fortunate to ever see again. By now I could feel a small dune depositing in my eyes and decided it was time for a last run down. As I reached the base of the dune, camp was packing up and I was informed that the group was leaving to return back to the hotel in a few minutes. Once again, we mounted our great vehicles of the desert and set off with the rising sun at our backs. The ride back was quite enjoyable as I now was practically a master camelier. What amazed me the most on the trip back in the morning was the sun. Looking behind me I had never witnessed a more intense blinding white sun. It almost appeared as the sun were slowly turning the dunes behind to glass with its gleaming rays. Alas, after our two hour tour, Hotel Tombuctou came from the desert to meet us and we were soon on our way home. Overall, I would rank the weekend as one of the most spectacular witnesses of geographic scenery in my life and certainly a testament of God's artistic ability.
This coming weekend should prove to be exciting as well as I venture into the high Atlas to climb North Africa's highest: Mt.Toubkal.
~Andrew
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3 comments:
Hi Andrew,
I can't read your posts without getting choked up and misty eyed. i wish I was there with you to experience what you're experiencing. I'm up late (or early depending on how you look at it). I got home from Montana about 12:30 this morning and have been unable to sleep...restless legs, even though I took my meds for it. Missoula is a nice town...no Sahara, but a nice little town in the Montana mountains. We ought to put the Bitter Roots in our backpacking plans for someday.
I love you,
Dad
Andres,
You are becoming quite a writer. I feel I am reading this out of a documentary of Morocco. I can feel your excitement in bringing in all you can possibly see while you are over there.
Love,
Grammy
The next best thing to being there is reading your posts. Keep 'em coming...loving it!
Aunt Lisa
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