Sands, dunes, distant… and nearby oases, camels, and a scorching setting sun… This was the first thing that came to my mind when I wanted to warm up on a chilly February day!
Mentally, flying across thousands of kilometers once again, I found myself in Tunisia, and the Sahara sands were before me once more. The magic, the heat, and the memories of them not only warmed me but also transported me back to my favorite oasis with camels. As I warmed up, the inspiration struck me again, and I decided to share these warm memories with you.
Затова нека да пояздим камили днес!
Hollywood’s African base – yes, that’s definitely how I would describe the part of the Sahara in Tunisia! Not one or two of our favorite films from the big screen were shot there – I’ve already told you about the Star Wars filming locations, but now it’s time to take you to one of the filming locations of another beloved film of ours – “The English Patient”.
In short – when the film was shot in the desert near Matmata, where the incredibly romantic scenes between Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche were filmed, one of the stuntmen, who parachuted in to replace the main actor, fell in love with the place. He bought a large plot of land and turned it into an oasis.
An oasis where you can ride camels, drive buggies or jeeps, or simply sit back and have a coffee while enjoying the sunset amidst the hot sands! Whatever you do, you are touching a unique and perfect place, where you are the master of yourself, the sand, and the sun!
To get even closer to the authentic part of desert culture, it’s essential to dress like a Bedouin. Well, at least in its touristic version. I’m not sure if it’s really necessary to dress like that during a potential sandstorm, or if it’s just part of the attraction. But hey, let’s do what the locals recommend… and the thrill and experience are incredible!
Dressed in these clothes, you absolutely have to take a few pictures, then you get on the camel, and we set off for a walk through the warm sands of the desert.
When you’re on the back of the camel, mixed feelings take over. It’s uncomfortable at first, while you get used to the height and settle into the makeshift saddle, but at the same time, new horizons and views open up before you! For a split second, you realize that at this moment, it’s just you and the camel, and she is everything to you. Just like for the people of the desert – she is the most precious thing they have. You start feeling life in a different way, and you’re transported to another dimension, until you remember the discomfort of the saddle or the camel’s attempt to lean to one side or the other. But I also have a few tricks to control her easily – they told me camels love to be scratched behind the ears 😊. Well, at least for a few minutes, I secured a comfortable ride…
For me, riding a camel in the late afternoon, with the setting sun in the background, was an incredible experience! Not only do you get a glimpse of the local way of life and culture, but you also connect with yourself.
As you gaze at the endless sand horizons, you wonder what lies beyond, where these sands end, and what you might discover. It somehow motivates you to become a more active person, someone who seeks new horizons in personal, emotional, and career aspects of life. It’s as if what you have until now is no longer enough, and you’re ready to start a new journey into the unknown, to discover your new self.
If you think that riding a camel is boring or not extreme enough – try riding a horse. There are groups of locals circling around you, and at times they might annoy you by suggesting you switch your “mode of transport,” but don’t pay attention to them! After all, this is their main livelihood.
In the sands of the Sahara, it feels as if you’ve stepped into a frozen time machine – the only thing that seems to be moving is the wind, gently lifting the sand and creating interesting air shapes from it. The kilometers melt away, and everything feels so close before your eyes. At times, your mind plays tricks on you because you think you’ve traveled an endless distance, but you’ve only taken a few steps…
As someone who has visited the Sahara, I would strongly advise you to take off your shoes and walk barefoot on the sand. I did it, and I didn’t regret it at all – I felt a sense of freedom, and my feet were incredibly happy because they no longer felt the tightness of the sneakers that had been on all day! They were free to feel the soft, warm sand, to breathe, and to take new steps, not just in the desert but in life as well, towards the new and the unknown that awaited them.
As I said, I did it – I took off my shoes and headed toward new horizons! And what about you, are you ready to do it?
If you also want to ride a camel and feel the warm sand beneath your feet, you can check out the options for organized tours to this place:
