TO THE DESERT

We are only a few hours away from the departure: the bags are finally ready, after the frenzy that takes place before every trip. Do we have everything? The satellite phone, the new GPS that Garmin sent us, the high quality products that La Roch Posay gave us, the mythic tisane, everything is there, ready to leave with us. As always we are excited and curious to see how it will go. This time, for the Active version of Desert Therapy, for the first time we will not have Lauren, our inexhaustible reserve of smiles and serenity. It is Max’s turn to organize everything, to attend to our travel companions: Angela, Elvira,Carmelo, Mariolina, Luisa, Maddalena, Marisa. His great passion will help. Instead, I will be walking with them, helping them to discover the Desert: slowly, step by step, we will enter into its heart and again discover its marvellous sensations….inchallah!

Emotions

We are two days from the departure of our fourth edition of Desert Therapy, probably the last of this season and inevitably my thoughts drift to one year ago, when I began this new adventure. I never would have imagined I would meet so many wonderful people who have grown to love the desert as much as I do and experience such intense emotions with them. Memories of days spent together in that magical place accompany us, always ready for us and giving us new ways to face everyday life with more serenity. Moments lived freely in the desert fill our minds, and then even on the coldest greyest days, we feel the desire to smile and our heart starts to beat faster with excitement.

Friends

The extreme cold that has covered Italy (and other countries) in these days, more than anything makes me want to go to the desert. Walking with the sun on my skin under the cobalt blue sky is one of the strongest memories this place leaves on those who have experienced it with us. But there is also a desire to revisit friends. Yes, because we have created a relationship beyond the professional aspect, with the Egyptian team that works with us. Beginning with the drivers of our vehicles, who are always happy and accommodating, to our wonderful cook who treats us with his food and smile that are always ready, and finally Sola, the cammelliere who accompanies us with the camels along our journey, the only one that I have met who cuddles and caresses his animals. And then there is the desert, the real great friend who awaits us always, and gives to us new emotions and friends, as it has up till now with all our companions of Desert Therapy.

New Adventure

March 13 we will return for the 4th time to the White Desert with another group for Desert Therapy, and the count down has started again. This time it will be Max and I alone to accompany the seven people who have decided to join this journey. This time it will be the version we call Active, more sporty than the previous in the sense that there will not be Lauren to do yoga and the participants will be asked to help setting up camp. Even if we have just returned, the thought that in 10 days we will return to the desert is as exciting as the first time. The desire for sun and open space is strong. It is really true: when you encounter the desert, it never leaves you.

Surprises

It only takes a little to feel good. Sometimes only a glance, an unexpected smile, a frase that touches all, an unexpected phone call that brings good news. Or a sunny day after so many grey, cold days. And you discover the first buds, the daisies in the meadows that somehow seem to have sprung over night, the birds that chase each other more cheerfully than usually. Colors seem brighter, the outlines of things around us are defined. And then we ask: but how could this happen so quickly? In each of us lies the desire to enjoy the little things in life but often we are buried under a mountain of negative thoughts, accumulated tension of everyday problems that erase any emotion. Then something happens to remind us that we are still capable of simple emotions. And it is a wonderful surprise.

Animal Assassins

The news spread quickly around the world: An orca held for years in a water park in the United States killed its trainer.
Put this way it seems like an accident. But if the dynamics of the report are true, it is clear that this is not the case, and it was the will of the animal to kill the woman. It shows the great intelligence of whales and no doubt that years of captivity have made a mark on its equilibrium. I can not imagine what would happen if I were forces to live imprisoned for the rest of my life, and even though I feel deep sorrow for the terrible death of the woman, I can’t condemn the animal who reacted not out of instinct but with rational thought. Can animals become murderers against men? Certainly, but the responsibility is always due to the later unfortunately.

Wellbeing

Also this time the desert has made its mark. The friends from Desert Therapy 3 returned from this experience changed, regenerated physically and mentally, and happy. Each of them lived this change differently and the desert gave everyone completely unique sensations. In particular Roberto, who decided to celebrate his birthday with Desert Therapy, claims to have received the best birthday gift from this trip and can’t wait to return.

Actually it was he who gave us something of great value: a testimony of what I have always believed existed. The desert, an arid and hostile place for those who don’t know it, gives joy, happiness and love for life: little right?