Egypt and Jordan were some of the early locations for our desert races. The breathtaking scenery, warm-hearted locals, rich culture, and age-old traditions made organising events in these places so memorable. In Egypt we staged races in the Sahara Desert: The White Desert and Valley of Whales, as I mentioned earlier.
Egypt had the most fantastic Bedouin drivers. They would take the Dakar Rally to a whole new level. They are truly the Jedi of dune driving, effortlessly gliding through the sands (where anybody else would get stuck). The quick way they read the sand is just amazing. The thrill of racing up a huge dune, reaching the top with a tilt, the jeep swaying just a bit before nose-diving down. I'm so glad I wasn't driving!
On the way to set up a check point in the Sahara Desert in Egypt.
These were roller coaster rides, ending with the golden hues of sunset and the rhythmic beats of Bedouin music. When it was time for a break, whether it was scouting or a mid-race checkpoint, the cars magically transformed into cozy tea houses, with carpets laid out and tea pots and boilers emerging from their depths. The authentic Egyptian sugary mint tea, served in small glasses... magical days in the desert!
After one intense day of pre-race preparations in 2012, driving through desert and canyon lands in Wadi Rum in Jordan, we stopped at a Bedouin camp for the night. A mouthwatering spread of Jordanian dishes was laid out on the carpet, while we lounged on pillows sipping tea. As the crickets chirped and the moonlight surrounded us, we found ourselves working away in semi-open Bedouin tents. My colleague Sam was doing tent allocations while I checked drinking water allocations – despite the poor ergonomics, one could not have had a better office!
The nights in the desert are an enchanting spectacle. Stars so close, you can almost high-five the Milky Way! Amidst the long days of the race week, I would lie in my sleeping bag, gazing at shooting stars, knowing I had just a few precious hours before the alarm rang. Having the universe above you might just substitute for a short sleep!
Comments