The Desert

We visited the desert at the geographic end of our trip- what I mean is- our trip took us from Luanda south through several different cities... Tumbwa, where the desert was, was the southern most point we got to. So, to me it feels like the "end" of the trip, even though we still had a couple of days coming back up north after we did this.

Anyway, we got a guide to drive us out into the desert. A few of us, I think understandably, were very excited to see "THE desert". It's not every day that you get to see pure sand and blue sky stretching as far as you can see. Here you can see, just before we head off, letting some air out of the tires- which apparently you need to do to be able to drive in the desert.

Here we are in the back of the car. I am definitely clutching both Joel's leg and the "oh-shit" handle. I'm smiling, but, on the inside I was getting sick and having an anxiety attack. I found out on this trip (long before we hit the desert) that I don't do well off-roading, or driving on roads that require 4 wheel drive. I ended up taking Valium to calm myself and try to stave off the sickness...

THE desert (emphasis on the THE, as is, not just the desert but THEE desert)

The desert, funny as it may sound, actually borders the ocean. This was one of the shipwrecks that could be seen there.

It was late afternoon, and the sun over the ocean was beautiful.

These people were just walking in the desert. It was unbelievable to us- there was nothing around for MILES, and they are just walking. This is their life. Obviously, they were exited to see us.

Very near the ocean we passed these dwellings. Fisherman and their families live here. The men fish all day. The women spend all day walking to town to sell the fish, and buy water, and then come back again. This is what they do, day in and day out, every day. It is REALLY windy out there, and these dwellings were made mostly out of sticks and random pieces of cloth and other materials patched together.

More houses...Me, in the desert.

Our guide took us to a part of the desert where there were massive deposits of shells. He told us they were probably deposited there thousands of years ago. If you were lucky, you could find two halves that made a whole. That is why these two are looking so intently. :)

The lot of us, our cars, checking out shells and enjoying the sunshine.

Did I mention it was windy? When the wind blows the sand it really stings against your skin as well. So I was all wrapped up. I can understand now, why desert dwellers dress the way they do.

On the way home...it was awesome.