Libia

With great sadness and sorrow I am following the events going on in Libya, a country that holds a place in my heart for the wonderful experience I had in the Akakus desert exactly two years ago. At that time, invited by Libyans, I had the great privilege of walking in a wonderful place, with the aim of bring a message of peace to Africa, ideally combining the people through the desert. Unfortunately, the significance of that gesture has been removed by what is happening these days: there are only the memories of an unforgettable experience with people of great sensibility, that accepted me and followed me with competence and affection during the crossing, and it pains me to know they are experiencing a difficult situation in their country. My hope remains alive that in the near future, Libya can find its balance and political stability, to give everyone the opportunity to learn about its incredible natural and historical beauty and finally bring a smile to the faces of its inhabitants. They deserve it indeed.

A getaway with Koa

Yesterday at Max’s last league game of ice hockey in Lecco, we took advantage of the sunny day to stroll along the lake with Koa. Our little dog had so much fun and aroused great interest among the many people who filled the walking path, but what intrigued him more than anything else were the ducks and swans that would come close to him quacking. It was not easy to keep him from getting into the water to play with his new feathered friends, also because, unlike the majority of Danes, Koa loves the water. The lake was beautiful and the walk was a great opportunity to relax to release the thoughts that often fill our mind during the week. Early spring invites us to go out and get close to nature and we do not have to go into the desert to find it: it takes just a strip of beach on the water of a lake to enjoy moments of true serenity, which each of us has inside ourselves and must only ask for it to be revealed.

Happiness

One evening around the campfire in the desert of Morocco, one of the travel companions asked each of us what happiness is for us. The responses were different but the prevailing definition was to consider happiness as short or long moments on the path of life. It is utopian thinking to be happy for a long time, the characteristics of the term presupposes an intense emotion that can not last long. Inevitably it turns into peace, prosperity, or contentment, which are feelings we can have for a long time if we are able to handle them with care. Happiness is subjective, what makes a person happy is not guaranteed to work for another and each time the parameters can change depending on the circumstances. You can be happy for small things: a walk hand in hand, an affectionate gesture, an unexpected gift, a word spoken at the right time. You do not need big events to trigger strong emotions: many that night said that at that precise moment, in the desert, around a fire talking with friends, they felt happy. I wish for all of you to experience many moments of happiness, to feel alive and to give your lives an even greater value.

Carnival of Ivrea

Yesterday I spent a very special day with Max and Lauren. For quite some time they have wanted to go to see the Carnival of Ivrea, with its famous battle of oranges, but it never particularly attracted me. But it was a pleasant surprise. The ancient tradition that dates back to the first century has its own unique charm and atmosphere of genuine fun that is felt everywhere in the city, and all are involved. The parade, the main attraction of the reenactment, goes through the festively decorated neighborhoods where participants prepare for battle in costume, and there is a background of numerous enthusiastic viewers, with a great desire to be there and have fun. The Carnival, now almost forgotten in the big cities, retains its characteristics of celebration for all ages in the smaller towns. For several hours we were completely immersed in the atmosphere of a festival, which was never over the top, even in the most intense moments of battle, it made us feel like children again. Lauren, as an American experiencing the celebration in Ivrea said: this is the Italy I want to see, always different and to be discovered, this is the Italy that I love so much.

Everyday gestures

Whenever you return from a trip in the desert is difficult. Spaces are limited, the light is poor, you lack the warmth of the sun on your skin, the blue sky, the freedom to move and the desire to walk with an open mind for all thoughts. And you also the miss the company of new friends with whom you’ve shared every moment of the day with ease, greeting each other in the morning and wishing them a good night in the evening, moments full of laughter, joy and the desire to talk without the usual masks that we are forced to wear on a daily basis to defend ourselves. But then, day after day, the grief gives way to a great sense of wellbeing, often in difficult moments that pass through our days, just the memory of the desert helps us to find humor and serenity. This is the great gift of Desert Therapy: it teaches us to manage in a different way daily, to reduce problems and tackle them with determination, giving us the gift of simplicity without unnecessary complications. As it is in the desert, easy.

Our return

Unfortunately, beautiful things are always bound to end and this first edition of Desert Therapy does not disprove the rule. It was a very special trip for both the majesty and beauty of the natural environment in which we walked for four days, with our travel companions, who were great with the sympathy and fellowship that immediately manifested. It is true that most of them were veterans of Desert Therapy as well as newcomers who immediately understood the spirit of this particular experience and together we spent days of great joy and great emotion. The Moroccan desert is revealed in all its glory and to walk on the crest of the massive sand dunes that characterize it was a unique experience for all participants. As usual, we laughed so much, wanting to have fun and make room for thoughts and words that only the desert can manifest with great ease and simplicity. The pampering staff, the dishes prepared by our chef and the enthusiasm of friends who have chosen to walk together in the sand created a miracle and made an unforgettable experience. Needless to say, the thoughts of all of us is already to look at the roadmap for the next Desert Therapy: where are we going this time? Soon it will decide, for now let's hold close in my minds and hearts the images of the desert.

Eve of our departure

We arrived on the eve of this new adventure with Desert Therapy. Everything is ready (or almost), morale is high and the desire to return to the desert increases hour by hour. It will be a wonderful journey, Morocco is a country that can offer much to those who want to learn and explore opportunities to live it intensely and we will not fail. We will make sure to send a daily travelogue through our satellite phone, as mobile phones, luckily, will not have service for the four days we are crossing the desert. Compared to the White Desert this time the journey is more challenging, but the presence of a large number of camels is an excellent support for participants. We will have with us a guide that will tell us the story of this beautiful country and a chef of a hotel will be our renowned cook. What else could you want? Desert Therapy is known for its great attention to details: this time we will endeavor to make our trip an unforgettable experience. Follow us on the site, you can travel with us!

Close to the departure

Only three days until the start of the next Desert Therapy! This time the destination is the desert in Morocco, with its beautiful sand dunes in which we will walk accompanied by a long caravan of camels carrying all the material to make camp, and of course water and food. Ten friends will come with us, most of them veterans of Desert Therapy, such as Claudia and Roberto, who are on the fourth trip, for Anna and Doriana instead it is the third experience. Bruna, Gigi, and Antonio set off for the second time, while for Mara, Enzo and Bruno this will be their official baptism. With us, there will also be Mauritius, a professional photographer and cameraman who also is a lover of the desert, and will have the task of documenting the journey, and of course Max and Leda, who is replacing Daniel, busy at home to monitor the situation in Egypt, to their rightful the task of organizing the trip, with the care and attention we devote to our travelers. As always the desire to leave is so great, the desert is in the heart of all of us, who are in love with a place that always manages to amaze us and that this time will not disappoint us.

We are sad

The current situation in Egypt has saddened all of us on the Desert Therapy staff. Exactly one year ago, we were in the desert, happy to celebrate one of the participants Roberto, that turned 50 years old there. We would never have imagined what would happen in the meantime. In Egypt we have many friends, our driver, cook and Solah the Bedouin that accompanies the camels. We are in contact with them, and all are well, confirming that the problem is confined to the cities, but we are sad. I remember the many carefree days spent together. In March, two groups have already booked for the White Desert, but if the situation doesn’t return to normal by the end of this week, we reluctantly will give up the trips and postpone everything until October. For Desert Therapy, safety has absolute priority over everything and without sufficient safeguards we will not go.
In the meantime we are preparing to depart Feb. 18 for the desert of Morocco. It will be a first, to be attended by many friends who have traveled with us and who do not want to miss it. Obviously we are monitoring the current situation in this country who as of today is still quiet, despite the negative news that sometimes spread without any justification. We wish to visit all the deserts soon, and we hope that man's violence does not stop us from returning to the place we love and that has always given us such strong emotions. Inchallah ........