Following Omar into the Sahara

In February of 2004 I took a trip to Morocco to fulfill a promise that had been a long time in coming. Ever since reading Paul Bowles’ 1949 classic “The Sheltering Sky” I had longed to visit the Sahara and North Africa. The wish began at 19 and was fulfilled as turned 30. It was riveting and overwhelming.

Omar, the Berber guide, and I spent five days camping in the desert. In that time I sought refuge from a sand storm with a nomad family in their enormous tent. I had my tent torn to pieces in a rain storm one night. I trekked through high, sandy winds for a couple of days. Omar and I spent a lot of time talking when he’d prepare meals or while we’d pitched tents or packed up. I don’t think the experience would have been anywhere near as rich without his insights and friendship.

When I look at this picture now I can’t help but wish I had some kind of guide for my own life at this moment.