SIXTH EDITION

First Day
Sometimes it is not exactly a Good Morning you find in the morning. And today things did not start off so well. On our way to the airport we got a flat tire and the spare tire wasn't inflated. Honestly, in all my many years of travel it has never happened, but, "there is always a first time." Even with all that happened, we were able to catch our flight, leaving from Malpensa in the early morning, allowing us to enjoy a full day in Cairo. Unfortunately, Oscar was not able to join us for this trip, due to the problems this morning, but will join us later. Cairo is always special. The city is clam and there are no signs of tension that in the past months took first page in magazines and newspapers. We went to the market to make our last purchases before taking off. The group is really nice: three men and five women. From this point of view you can see immediately that we have obtained that special atmosphere. This evening we will go to bed early, tomorrow we have a long journey.

Second Day
It is the longest travel day in our journey, taking us from Cairo to the entrance of the desert, passing by the Baharya Oasis. We are travelling in jeeps. The breaks are just for a short while to stretch our legs. But there is one that has become sort of an interesting ritual. There is a little store owner, with four children, who live at the door to the desert, thanks to their little shop. It has become our habit to stop there and buy a few things that we will need in the desert. Often we take them gifts from previous Desert Therapy participants who have been touched by them. It is always touching to visit these people and to have their blessing for our trip. In the evening we arrived at the fixed camp in Sherazad, beautiful as always. Here we met our wonderful chef and Sola, the camel driver. From tomorrow, no more jeeps: only the desert. A first encounter for almost the whole group, except for one person who has already visited the desert. They can't even imagine what awaits them….

Third Day
It is really hot, reaching almost 40 degrees Celsius. This is bearable since the climate is very dry, but the fatigue is felt. However the groupd is really very happy, having a lot of fun and laughing. Not missing any opportunities. Last night at the fixed camp we were able to see the desert fox. Curious as always, he came between us in the search for food. And the news for the day was the shoe of one of the group members, which the fox took from the tent, only to be found the next morning. After the jokes and comments about the event we began our walk. We crossed 10 kilometers today to reach Camp 1. Some by foot, and some with the help of the camels. By the way, in a few days one of the camels with us will give birth. It would be wonderful to celebrate together the birth of the baby camel. An extra gift from the desert!

Forth Day
Two things are constant in this trip: the heat and the fox. The desert is giving us wonderful weather, with a marvelous sun during the day and a magical full moon to accompany us in the night. The fox, obviously not the same one, comes out at dusk and makes itself at home in our camp. And in the end, it is. Today we entered in the heart of the White desert, where the chalk forms seem to made by sculptors. And so, with such a fascinating journey we didn't even realize we covered 12 kilometers today to arrive at Camp 2. So much happiness, which is the third constant in this group who have a rare interest and desire to live fully. And to eat… our cook never fails us and his delicious dishes always exceed the expectations of the participants.

Fifth Day
Last night the fox came and ate from Max's hand. Evidently they feel in him a unique energy because it is not the first time it has happened. Our cook, then, made for us French fries and we all celebrated. Last night around 4 am the wind picked up, and calmed down quickly, but made the temperature drop about 10 degrees. So today was a real pleasure to walk. Despite this we got to take it easy: only 8 kilometers to arrive at Camp 3, the most beautiful and exciting. Today it seemed we were on a glacier and not in the desert, with all the chalk pinnacles, tall and pure and the slabs on the ground really seem like ice. In the afternoon in a one hour walk we went to an oasis where the camels could drink and we took a well-deserved bath. This evening the full moon lets us walk around without needing lights. Magical.

Sixth Day
Our last day walking in the desert and as always it was very emotional. As we often do, we decided not to move the camp today, as Camp 3 is so enjoyable it is a shame to leave it. The weather is good and the sunset this evening was amazing. We watched it all together from the top of a pinnacle we climbed. For most of the participants it was their first time in the desert, most of them waiting for the right occasion. And this was, they all said, that right occasion. They particularly liked the organization of the trip. What we refer to as the cuddles of Desert Therapy. Last night we played around the fire and everyone was able to bring out their inner child. This evening, around the fire, we reflected over the trip, after a wonderful dinner made by Hassan. Today we said good-bye to our camel driver Sola, who after a warm good-bye set off between the dunes. Tomorrow we will not need him: we will go in the off-road vehicles to a beautiful archeology site. Archeological remains that we found also in the White Desert, when we found a cave dug by man, probably trying to steal relics of the past. We also found another cave, this time, however, full of tiles. Nothing to fear.

Seventh Day
Today we had a long ride in the off-road vehicles to see the crystal mountain, the black desert and in the end to arrive at the Baharya Oasis, where we admired the treasures kept in the local museum and the golden mummies. All the participants said good-bye to the desert in their own way. As usual I left a little gift in the sand saying "Thank you Desert, for letting me pass again this time and for letting me pass on my love for you to other people. I am sure you will be repaid."