Once
you get to the doors of Jebel by car, you can hire some dromedars to
carry all your equipment. As you go along this real saharian range of
mountains (the highest peaks are 2700 m) you can discover the meaning
of large spaces, the inmense nearly desertic areas and the rewarding
oasis full of palm trees. It also means getting into a way of life which
is nearly extinct in the world, this is to say nomadism.
"Our
guide makes a sign for us to make way, since a nomadic family is coming.
Before our astonished eyes they begin to appear. First the mules loaded
with colourful burdens among which we can see all sort of domestic items
such as pans, large buckets, gas cylinders, blankets, carpets, etc.
After them 4 or 5 unloaded young dromedars, probably 
born
that same year, followed by 2 big dromedars carrying a variety of things.
Covering their backs a large piece of thick cloth. This can only be
the tent (haima). From the sides 8 or 10 leather baskets are hanging.
They contain the very young lambs. Near the top of
their
necks we can see 2 quiet hens tied by one leg with a rope. On the very
top of the dromedar's back we see the heads of 3 little children, probably
under 1 year of age, who look at us in surprise."
After
the trip we put up our tent and enjoy the night at the desert.
