Sahara Impressions

Day 2

Despite the great silence (and the abundant beer consumption by the campfire), I sleep relatively poorly, mainly because the Thermarest mat I brought has a hole, leaving me lying only on a sensationally comfortable 1.5 cm mat.

After a few nights, I start to feel pain in my right shoulder and my right hand does not get enough circulation, often falling asleep ... Super, softie and bed-spoiled desert driver....🙈

Regarding beer: I believe our supplies are sufficient for four weeks in Africa!! This was expected, thanks to the picture taken while purchasing the 'cartridges', as we will soon call them.

At night and in the morning, it gets cold again, around 4-5 degrees. But then we light a fire with the leftover wood, and Michel's trusty blackened kettle takes on a noble service. The first coffee tastes amazing, especially if enjoyed in the rays of the rising sun, paired with a dune landscape like from the film 'The English Patient', and one forgets EVERYTHING else. A dream.

We are a mixed bunch; three of them grew up together in Hurlach: Michael B., Felix D., and Thomas S.

Time and again, they recount the grand experiences of their youth, which are so funny that they really should be made into a film. Such a movie would be epic!

All three have motocross experience, also in the desert. Michael knows many countries in Africa and is very experienced with cars and motorcycles; he organized the trip as well. His knowledge is outstanding. Even the gas station attendant on the route recognizes him!!

Felix has also seen many tracks in North Africa; he has plenty of travel stories to share and works in the motorcycle field. He also has a lot to say about BMW and his professional activities.

Thomas, our pigeon expert, completes the trio. Linguistically speaking, he is an 'Urbayer', and Occo has severe comprehension issues with his multitude of stories. Thomas rides the only two-stroke machine in the group, skillfully maneuvering his 300 KTM through the dunes like a desert fox.

Joining us is Jörg P. from Garmisch, whom the three only met in the desert last year. Jörg is an old-timer from Garmisch, and his experiences from mountaineering, climbing, and motorcycle riding never fail to impress and make us laugh. He is the fittest among us from climbing, and I find his dry comments and mischievous laughter simply amazing!

We, the three flat trackers Michael M, Occo, and I, Felix, complete the amusing group. Micha also always has a funny anecdote ready, plus the Swabian accent, fantastic!!!

The landscape is varied; we continually traverse dunes, and then come to a more or less larger plain with gravel or stones. We follow a 'track' that, despite the old traces, is sometimes well-defined and at other times not at all.

The Hilux vehicles crawl up the slopes, unbelievable. Sometimes it takes a bit more momentum, which means losing traction before reaching the peak. So, it’s backwards on the opposing slope, then gaining speed towards the crest. However, one must take the gas off immediately or just before, as you don't know what's on the other side.... Occo and I are learning through practice how to drive properly in the dunes!!!

Absolutely essential; air is significantly released from the tires at the beginning of the dunes, so the tire has a larger contact patch. Otherwise, it would never work!!

Even during lunch breaks, we are spoiled by Abdallah and his two boys with pasta salad, couscous, and dates for dessert.

The bread for breakfast is freshly baked in the hot sand!! A fire is lit on the sand, dough made from water, flour, and salt is spread on a cloth to form flatbreads, then the flatbread is placed in the hot sand, covered with a mix of coals/sand, and after ten to fifteen minutes, the bread is ready!!

The sand is simply shaken off with a cloth! Perfect!!!

We quickly get used to the crunching of the sand between our teeth! It is very fine, and by the second day you hardly notice it anymore.

At Mida Mountain, we take a short break in a cafe with cola. Tarek, the man with the big nose, lives here alone and without a vehicle. Behind the hut, scenes resemble an Italian Western.....

In the evening, the camp is set up again, and the first cartridges fizz when opened. A sunset like a dream. The shadows of the dune crests in the evening sun... There are hardly words for it, a beauty that is infinite....

Setting up tents and then collecting wood, enjoying the first beers, then dinner, and afterward a campfire is the typical evening routine. We rarely stay awake for long; Micha from Stuttgart sometimes goes to bed at eight because he is so exhausted.

Without Ibuprofen, it would hardly be manageable for him.

Good night!