ALWAYS MARVELOUS

Also the 5th Desert Therapy was a great success. Our six travel companions, all truly exceptional women, were marvellous and they lived this experience in the best way possible, even with extreme heat unusual at this time of year in Egypt and the sand storm that invaded out camp two nights in a row at camp 3. The desert wanted us to know its truest aspects, and they, the wonderful women with their sense of humour, enjoyed all of it without giving up or ever showing signs of suffering, enjoying the ever-changing scenery. The full moon and the stars illuminated the night and Max, nick-named the “Cuddle-ator”, spoiled and accommodated our guests, even creating a shower in the middle of nothing, which they all appreciated. Hassan, our chef, as always was up to the occasion, with his delicious and abundant meals, while Solah, the beduino who has now become part of the family of Desert Therapy, won the hearts of the women, with his gentle presence and calm. Joy, laughter and moments of great emotion filled our journey, described as “exceptional” for the special atmosphere spontaneously created between the participants and the great attention to details that always takes place in Desert Therapy. We parted with the promise to see each other again soon and to organize an evening with all our friends that have travelled with us up to now. The desire everyone expressed to the shooting stars was to return soon together in the desert: to find again and share the peace, joy and happiness.
Also this time Desert Therapy confirms a splendid success!

Here we are!

In a few hours we will leave for the seventh edition of Desert Therapy, the fifth in the White Desert: how wonderful!
Six new friends will join the family of Deser Therapy, and as always, it will be Max’s and my job to guide them and pamper them, step after step.
By now I should be able to keep my agitation under control preceding the departure, but I can’t: every time it is like the first time, and the thought of the returning to the desert gives me goose bumps of joy. To return in that place is like going home, my home that protects and comforts not only myself, but also and above all to my companions. Most of them have asked me to remember them, when we are there, between the sky and sand, the great nostalgia, wishing to return there soon. We will think of you dear friends, I am sure that the thoughts will come, remembering the precious and unforgettable moments we shared, in the heart of Our Desert.

In the Mine

The assistance in these hours to rescue the miners of Chile, inevitably reminds us of our recent experience with our fellow Desert Therapy travellers in Bolivia, when we went into the mines of Potosi and we saw with our own eyes the terrible living conditions of the young men, sustained by the hope of discovering a vein of minerals that would change their lives. Coca leaves and 96 degree alcohol help them endure the terribly hard work for eight hours a day between dust and darkness, with the constant danger of a sudden collapse.
Personally, I never doubted that the Chilean miners would survive: after knowing the reality of men working in similar conditions, circumstances permitting, salvation was just a matter of time. Already accustom to a life of darkness and hope, people of their physical and mental strength can withstand a test that to others seems impossible. The labyrinth of tunnels, chasms, humidity and darkness that for us were almost frightening, for them is a daily workplace where they spend most of their brief, terrible lives in the hope of a better life.

Yogafestival

In Milan Saturday and Sunday at Superstudiopiù the 5th edition of the Yogafestival was held. Around 5,000 visitors filled the rooms, participating in yoga sessions, meetings with the public and seminars, and they came with a lot of enthusiasm and curiosity. Desert Therapy couldn’t miss it! Our meeting point with the public was received very well and many people came to visit us and learn about upcoming programs and dates of departures, impressed by the images of our promo which is now also online on the site. It was a challenging weekend but certainly a great satisfaction that enabled us to meet and get to know new people eager to recount their story, often searching for serenity, which can be hard to find in a city like Milan.
On Sunday afternoon, I participated in a very animated talkshow together with entertainers, politicians and journalists, during which I recounted my experiences in the desert and the new adventure of Desert Therapy. The conference room was packed: the audience attentive and interested, asked many questions and applauded many of our responses. It was a new experience, but definitely positive, both from a personal and professional point of view. Every time meeting with new people gives me the opportunity to discover a new and unknown reality. Thanks Desert Thearpy!

Always Moving Ahead

The echo has not yet faded after New Frontiers, which already is scheduling it’s next adventure: going to Egypt. Yep, Desert Therapy is starting its winter season in the White Desert and on the 15th we will return to the place that above all others give us peace and serenity. We are again in the frenzy of preparation, exciting but challenging. Every time the participants change, but the tasks are the same and are repeated time after time. There is curiosity to get to know our new travel companions, some of which we have already met at events with the public. It is always a surprise to finally give a face to a voice with which we have spoken for weeks and it renews the desire to continue the journey, difficult at times but rewarding, to bring people to the desert who would never take a trip of this nature. I find myself counting down the days until the start every time, like it is the first. I can already feel the caress on my skin of the light wind, sun, light and imagine the color of the sand that fills my eyes, the charm of our small camp with beautiful green tents and lanterns to show the way, the encounter with the priceless Egyptian staff, Solah the Bedouin with his camels, a silent companion, always smiling and ready to offer a cup of tea. The desert is there, ready to greet us as usual, quite and protective. And the magic is renewed again….and again….and again.

Mayor Moratti at New Frontiers

Sun, fun and a great desire to be together and share important moments: this was the second edition of NEW FRONTIERS that had the pleasure of hosting the Mayor of Milan, Letizia Moratti, who mingled for a long time with the disabled people at the event. At the start, together with the Mayor, were also the Director of Sport and Health, Alan Rizzi and Gianpaolo Landi and at the firing of the starter, all hand-in-hand, we started to run with the members of many associations for the disabled, coming from all over Italy.
There were very emotional moments, but it was the great enthusiasn of the young people present that illuminated a clear day and not just the warm sun. The affection that surrounded those involved in an unprecedented sporting event touched even Moratti, who said that NEW FRONTIERS will go ahead so that in the future it can become a travelling event to involve other cities and to raise awareness of disability issues. It is evident the role of sport in the recovery of young people with disabilities, the primary objective of this event to which I have dedicated myself with all my energy along with many volunteers who worked and believed in NEW FRONTIERS, to the friends who have shared with us an unforgettable day and who, even at a distance, were close to us in thought. The appointment is next year, with a commitment to continue a path of solidarity, involving an increasing number of people, so as to not leave behind those who face difficulties. NEW FRONTIERS will be next to those who need help, a helping hand, an affectionate gesture. To give many smiles and joy to live.

Meeting in Piazza Castello

Tomorrow morning at 10.30 there is a meeting for everyone in Piazza Castello, to spend a great day together in solidarity dedicated to the disabled their friends, care-takers and athletes of various sports. For about 4 to 5 km we will walk in the center of Milan to share the great emotions of New Frontiers, this year in it’s second edition.
The press conference Wednesday was very intense when the Director of Sport for the City and the Region, Alan Rizzi and Cristina Stancari, spoke with enthusiasm supporting the event “of great importance.” “It is an honor for the city of Milano to host NEW FRONTIERS, it is an event that should be extended to other communities,” said Director Rizzi while Director Stancari praised our determination to continue this iniciative and gave her complete availability for organizing the next edition. The interview of Giusy Versace was touching, an bilaterally amputee athlete and our testimonial, who told the audience of her story as a disabled woman athlete. As for my part, I described the difficult journey that after a year and a half I finally realized my dream to maintain NEW FRONTIERS and at the end I gave the Directors, Giusy and Fabio, my desert companion, the race tops personalized with their respective names that tomorrow they will wear to walk together with lots of friends and to remember how important it is to sustain and help the disabled in athletics and in life.