We were up early again this morning hustling out of the Palm’s Hotel leaving the black suits and the king behind. But we had one more stop to make before heading into the dessert. We needed to gather supplies for the family we would be sharing lunch with later in the day. My sensitive American nostrils could only stand certain sections of this souk as it was my 3^rd straight day on Imodium. The Imodium did its job but I did lose 10 pounds on the trip to my shock when I got home. We were in charge of getting the vegetables which just happened to be next to the meat stands and by far the worst smelling section of the souk. Breathing through my mouth we picked out a nice variety of beautiful vegetables which rang up on the scale for a third of the cost we pay in the states. After meandering through the souk 45 minutes we hustled back to start the next experience in the days adventure.

Converted into beautiful sinks and table tops for the whole world to enjoy every day; Meli was very much opposed to this big business extraction. She however did encourage us to buy from the children that had organized themselves nicely in a line for us to view their products. After purchasing small items from 3 or 4 of them we were back in the Toyotas working our way across the rock dessert. The next part of our day would be one of the best and most unique experiences of the trip. The next 20 minutes went by quickly as we absorbed the dessert and its barren beauty. Then out in the middle of nowhere we see a small brown tent and mud/straw building. A 6 year old boy is working on reassembling the bearings to his bicycle wheel while the women recognize Meli from a previous tour and hastens to prepare some tea. It is the most beautiful family we have seen with members of many different ages. All the ladies in the tour are very fond of the handsome Sheppard, and can’t stop talking about him for the rest of the day. Our picnic lunch did not contain the sandwich I was so deeply craving. After eating it was time to visit and for Haji to translate. We learned the 17 year old daughter was to be married next year, as soon as the groom’s family had saved up enough of a gift to exchange for her! The daughter made beautiful dolls and ornaments which were all quickly purchased; there is one on my Christmas tree now. With no bathroom here many of us were anxious to get moving.

After having a coke by the pool I see my grandparents coming back from a walk into the dunes. They tell us of the beautiful views from the top of the dunes and with their undying energy invite Erica and I to trek out there with them again. We threw on some sunblock, packed some water and the camera and began our ascent. We wandered through the
 low dunes for about 1/3 of a mile and then began climbing the bigger ones. The sand was soft on
the sunny side of the dune but a little crunchy underfoot on the shady side making it easier to walk
 up hill. We finally reached the top of
our destination dune and were awestruck at the beauty of the shadows filling the dune-scape in front
 of us. I had reached the point in the trip I
was looking forward to most and reveled in it as long as I could. The mile back was much easier
going as I raced down the side of the dunes
whenever possible.