In this article, discover a testimony regarding the experience of a méharée (camel trek) in the Sahara Desert.
“Humans do not change the desert; it is the desert that changes the human.”
A First Experience in the Sahara Desert...
First, I should mention that I am a hiker, having walked the various routes of the Camino de Santiago, including coastlines, mountains, and valleys.
I had never given the desert a thought until the day I met Laurent, a *méharée* leader (silent trekking in the desert), who shared his desert experiences with me a few years ago. Intoxicated by his description of the desert and being an adventurer at heart, I told myself: “One day, I will be part of one of his treks in that fascinating desert.”
That day arrived like a gift from life! I have been back from the desert for about ten days now… but have I truly returned? Physically, yes, but my heart and spirit are still there, walking in silence and barefoot in the warm sand of dunes that stretch as far as the eye can see.
The Benefits of Walking in the Desert
I love walking because it cleanses the interior. It is as if, with every step, I leave my worries, the old stories that haunt me, and my regrets to Mother Earth. I discovered that walking in silence in the desert cleanses at a profound depth!
There, we “insand” (I can’t say “inter” or “bury,” tee-hee!) our old wounds, our old useless agreements, the false images of ourselves, and so much more. The desert transforms us with every step.
Encountering the Berbers of the Sahara
What a joy it was to walk with the Berbers! I loved discovering this indigenous people of North Africa. I have immense gratitude for their help, their kindness, their smiles, their good humor, and their songs. It is beautiful to see their bond with the dromedaries. And what can be said of the dromedaries? They are fascinating animals!
The Berbers say that the desert is a sea of sand… well, I felt like a fish in water there. Sitting atop the dunes, I admired magnificent sunsets. When evening came, I slept under the stars in this “3,000-star hotel”!
At every meal, Hamid, our Berber guide, would come into our tent to serve us tea and food. I will always remember his “Saha!” (Health/Cheers!). I miss walking alongside the dromedaries as they carried our luggage, supplies, and weary hikers.
On the final day of walking, the desert gifted me a feather from a bird facing extinction. Having indigenous roots myself, I picked it up with dignity, thanking Mother Earth. I see it as a new flight toward a promising future of silent walks in this desert that is now so dear to my heart.
By Sylvie Caouette, Tour Leader at Spiritour
N.B.: Discover our upcoming trips to Morocco by [clicking here], as well as upcoming trips accompanied by Sylvie Caouette by [clicking here].
