We spent Christmas in the desert at the Al Dhafra Festival, where the people from here promote the Beduine culture. We arrived here by accident some days ago when we wanted to experience driving around in the desert. We followed the signs announcing the festival and suddenly found ourselves driving in between hundreds of cars accompanied by thousands of camels, light brown, dark brown and almost black, camel mothers with their lambs and Beduines caring for the camels. In an area of about 100 square km many camps with Beduine tents were spread and signs hinted to events like "camel beauty contest", "falcon competition", "traditional souk", "camel auction", "camel race"...
People were greeting us from their cars because it is unusual to see a German, or European car here. We were invited for coffee or tea, and then somebody adressed us in English and offered us to stay in his camp for as long as we wanted. There would be all facilities, showers, WC, tents to sleep in and of course food all day. We followed him and were expected by an American who was a friend of Sheik Mohammad Khalaf Al Mazrouei. (Later we heard that this person had died in an accident just a few weeks ago, but his idea of hospitality and bringing together people from different countries is carried on). People were sitting around a fireplace and they were very interested in our long journey. Later we met other guests coming from more then ten different countries (Ireland, France, England, Peru, Argentina, Singapore, Australia, Newsealand, Mali, Egypt, USA) and still more people from other countries are arriving here and departing throughout the festival.
Together we visited some events of the festival and in the evenings we inspire eachother by talking about our work or what is important in our lives. Everyone has something to give and it is a great chance to give fun or inspiration to other people and spread your ideas.
And we could use the pool in the hotel at the edge of the festival area, which is also a very special experience looking at the desert while swimming in a pool.
On Christmas Eve we had a party singing Christmas Carols, dancing and even drinking some wine in this Moslem surroundings. But I was a bit sad not being at home with my daughters. So we at least talked to them on the phone.
The next day the Crown Prince, ruler of the Western Region of the UAE, came to visit our camp, accompanied by a TV-team. Everyone was excited to meet him and shake his hand. We were in the background. But suddenly we were called by name to come to him. Someone must have told him, that we have travelled by car from Germany and he was asking us about our trip. Unfortunately I forgot to tell him that our number plate starts with "HH" for "Hansestadt Hamburg" like his name: HH means His Highness.
We want to stay here two more days and then we will drive back to Dubai to get the car into a container at Port Rashid hoping that this time there won't be any problems with the shipping line and the car will be brought to Mumbai.
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