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December 04, 2005
Magnetic South - Africa
Lest anyone think that this is not a travelogue, I have decided to move on and it's back to the Dark Continent.
After a little more than a month of serious contemplation and meditation I have decided to move on. I am still in St Yrieix Sous Aixe but I have decided next to move onto a place that has fascinated me for a lifetime: Morocco. Ratcheting things up a notch it appears I will also have time to visit Mauritania as well. Why?
Because it's there.
It's the most Christmassy place you can be,
in the desert....
with camels......
and sand.
I don't leave the center until Next Monday the 12 Dec, but planning for this has been complicated. So far here's what I have...
1. Train to Carcassone, France
2. Bus to Malaga, Spain
3. Ferry to Tangier, Morocco
4. Train to Casablanca (play it again Sam!)
5. Bus to Essouria, Morocco
6. Bus to Dahkla, Western Sahara
7. Bus to Nouadhibou, Mauritania
8. Iron ore train into the desert
9. Bus to Atar, Mauritania
10. Turn around and come back
I can see now that the month of meditation had a purpose.
Also as an aside, I looked at my web site statistics today and was thoroughly humbled.
- I have received 1,875,626 distinct requests so far for the site
- That averages to 11,710 per day
- People in 32 countries regularly look at the site from places as far flung as Vietnam and Namibia
Well, Ped and I both thank you.
Posted by Julian Cook at December 4, 2005 01:36 PM
Julian, desert, camels, and sand is Christmassy indeed. We are digging out of 11 inches of snow here in Missouri but you are in a much more authentic place for this season. Blessings to you and safe travel. Bonnie.
Posted by: Bonnie Nettles at December 8, 2005 11:56 PM
I can see now that the month of meditation had a purpose.
You can always meditate in the dunes of the Sahara!
Posted by: Kira at December 9, 2005 07:44 AM
Julian, I just read your previous posting (finally catching up after some traveling of my own) and this one. For anything of substance, I am just speechless...and as rare as that is, I hope it speaks volumes to the impact of your prose/life/sharing. Thank you for sharing YOU with us. Cheers, Jen
Posted by: Jen Smith at December 12, 2005 09:16 AM
Hi Julian,
I like the new short and closely cropped mop. You're looking mighty handsome!
Have a Merry Christmas.
Posted by: Sherry Beckmann at December 12, 2005 03:47 PM
Julian--a month of contemplation in the south of France is never wasted. And Moroccan Xmas: what a lovely idea. And lovely, too, your shots in France... you're giving me a serious case of "Fernweh"--a wonderful German word which is the opposite of homesickness, it's "far-sickness", a longing for that which is far away.
I admire your courage, both for your journey, and for your writing... Merry Christmas.
Posted by: Kerry Halferty Hardy at December 16, 2005 03:06 PM
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