Sahara Travel Journal

(ARABIC)

. Lungile
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.
. !
. .
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(ENGLISH)
Day 1 - Early Morning
Dear Journal,
Its Lungile, and I am soon to leave for our journey across the scorching
Sahara desert. My journey will end in the holy city of Mecca, where
many hope to learn about new things. I just woke up from an awful
nightmare where the berbers showing us the way got lost. An egyptian
cobra got hold of my best friend traveling with me, and it eventually
got me and camel spiders ate me! I know this is not going to happen,
but fear engulfed me. I was horrified. The Sahara has its beauty, but
has many horrors as well that haunt you. My home in Timbuktu seems
much safer to me than the Sahara, but I need to go and get some
valuables for my family.
Day 1 - Mid Morning
Dear Journal,
Were about to leave and Im extremely nervous. They are preparing
the camels for travel , putting trade items and water canteens on their
backs. Earlier, some men went to collect water for the travelers from
the Niger River. It is already a hot morning in Timbuktu, but its going
to be much hotter once we reach the Sahara. I cant help but wonder
what I will have missed if I dont make it back. My family has always
wanted to see wild animals in the African Savanna, and weve never
gone.. I must go prepare everything and I will write to you later on.

Day 1 - Noon
Dear Journal,
We have left home, Timbuktu. We gathered all of our trade items. The
berbers have gathered everything they need for protection. We left
about 3 hours ago and Ive been asleep for a while. The berbers have
made a stop for water because we found an oasis on the way. They
said we will make camp in a few hours when we reach a tradeable
place where many Arabs will be. trading. It is extremely hot. Im going
to ask the berbers what the temperature is.
After asking the berbers, they said it is no less than 91 degrees
Fahrenheit. We must keep our head covered so we dont have to battle
with heatstroke because the sun is very strong.
Day 3 - Nightime
We made camp about an hour ago and traded with a few Arab
merchants. After I asked a berber where we were camping, he told me
we had arrived. Our camp was near Gao, but we would travel tomorrow
and reach where they thought was the best place. . Just a few minutes
ago we ate some dinner. Our meal had dried fruit we got from Arabs,
that many have wanted to try. We also enjoyed dried fish and some
dates. Some of us from the caravan will keep watch for robbers while
the rest sleep, and we will switch off every once in a while. We are still
waiting for the berbers to tell us who will be keeping watch. I hope it is
not me because I feel I need my rest.
Update: They have announced the watchers. It is a berber named
Kahina, two men named Kunto and Nkruma, and I.. In a few minutes
the others will rest and we will get ready. I will write to you tomorrow.
Day 5 - Early Morning
I am extremely tired. Last night was uneventful except for when an
Egyptian cobra slithered near us and we had to stay calm and silent
until it left. I cant write for a while, the berbers have told us we have a
lot of work to do during the next few days, maybe even weeks.
Day - Im not sure - Mid-Morning
Dear Journal,

I have lost count of what day it is today. I havent written in many,

many days. I know because of the sunsets, however Im not sure how
many h. We are in the desert now somewhere above Zaria. Thats all I
know as of now, but we had an issue last night that Id like to
remember when I read this journal later. I wasnt watching outside for
thieves, but we were all awaken during the night because 4 people
tried to rob us. Few things were stolen like gold, rubies, and rice, but
not very many. Later we went to keep traveling and a friend of mine
wandered to get shade under some trees, but an egyptian cobra
slithered out. He was unaware of what to do when seeing a snake, so
he tried to run, scaring the cobra. It jumped up and grabbed his leg. He
fell to the ground hard, and berbers went to his aid.. They grabbed the
necessary medicines after scaring away the cobra. They treated him,
but he had to stay aboard a camel because he needed to recover. We
will continue traveling later in the day, possibly during the night.
Day - Im not sure - Night
Journal! I had a terrifying experience. I must keep watch outside, but Ill
write when I am free.
Day - 3 days after Im not sure day
I havent had any time free! Weve been so busy but I can finally write
my terrifying experience. We were traveling days ago, when we came
across more merchants from Arabia. I was walking with the caravan.
We stepped aside to let other travelers pass us, and I stepped into
something soft. I assumed it was just damp sand from the very light
rain the night before, but suddenly they started yelling. I hadnt even
noticed, but I began to sink, the sand seeming to swallow me.
Suddenly, it hit me. I was in quicksand! I began to squirm but then
remembered something I learned before coming. Struggling in
quicksand makes it harder to get out. Someone told me to stay calm
and monkey crawl out. I tried slowly to lift my legs out and crawl
while some Arabs helped me. I was terrified and didnt know if I would
make it. After they helped me, our caravan decided to let them join us
if they cared to because they were going back to Arabia. They thanked

us and began to travel with us and show us some things they knew. Im
going to sleep but Ill write again.
Day - Not Sure - Sunset
We just met some more Arab traders and I got perfumes they traded
for some of my rubies. Even the Arabs that joined our caravan traded
with others. The berbers said we have traveled over half the trip there.
We are soon to eat a meal.
Days Later - Morning
I have just woken up and Ive been talking to one of the kind Arabs that
joined our caravan. His name was Bassam. We were talking about
some of the things we had to trade, and he said something interesting.
He said he could trade language. I thought he may have said
something else, considering he did have a little bit of an accent and I
didnt have the best hearing. I was very curious nonetheless. I asked
him, How could you possibly trade language? Everyone already has
one! He just said many people wanted to learn some of the Arabic
language, mostly to learn how to write. I thought it was very
interesting.
Week Later - Afternoon
Dear Journal,
I apologize for not being able to tell you the rest of my conversation
with Bassam. We got caught up in something. Now I shall finish. After
asking him how he could trade language and writing he explained to
me how many didnt have written language. He said, Such as you.
Africa doesnt have written language. He began to show me some
words. I could only write this journal from what hes taught me. I am
lucky I have remembered the details of my trip. I have a great memory.
Soon, we began to talk every day. He taught me new words, and about
their religion.
9 Days Until Reaching Mecca - Morning
We are almost through the desert into Mecca. The berbers have said
very little is left of our journey. It has been very hot and sadly, I forgot
to write when I started this journal with Bassam days ago. The fellow in
our caravan who got bitten by the cobra had passed. He lasted a while.

I think it must have been too severe. He lasted around a week or two
after being. bitten in terrible pain. Eventually, the berbers said it was
his time. Everyone in the caravan said their goodbyes and prayers
were said. We later buried him in a shallow hole and covered him once
he had passed. He now rests in Bilma.
6 Days Until Reaching Mecca
After that the Arabs came to us and here we are now. We are very
close to Arabia and it is some. of our first times here. Its my first time
traveling the Sahara as well. Bassam and the others who joined us
during the journey have talked about the religion and the interests.
They told us they were 95% sure some of us would convert to Islam. I
didnt think so, but they said when we learned more we would think
different.
4 Days Until Mecca
I am surprised I survived! It is a 3,500 mile journey from around
Timbuktu to Mecca, Arabia. We have seen many people coming from
Arabia, a few days into their journeys through the Sahara. I have been
wishing them luck on their journey. It is mid afternoon, and it is
extremely hot. We have wrapped headdresses around our heads every
day, but the heat is extreme. According to one of the berbers, it has
been over 103 degrees for the past 4 days. It is also very windy. The
winds must be at least 20 miles per hour. I despise the heat and wind
together. It makes me feel horrible! The berbers insist we work on
making camp so we can travel all day tomorrow. I must go but I will tell
my adventures later.
3 Days Until
Mecca, Arabia
It is 07: 24, and we had a horrible thing happen earlier. There was so
much wind, and it was incredibly powerful. Eventually, there was a
huge sandstorm. It blew so much sand, the camels began having
trouble walking and seeing. The sand hit so hard, most of the caravan
had cuts on their faces. We tried to leave soon to decrease chances of
another storm affecting us. Quickly, we packed our things and tried to
hurry the trip. Its extremely dry and our thirst isnt being quenched
well with the little water we have.

AFTERNOON: While we have traveled during the day, we have seen

many, many people around the area of Arabia. Some in the caravan
have said there will be a trade where many people, up to hundreds, will
come and trade with everyone. I am very excited to get valuables or
resources. I have many things to trade. I have gold, salt (even though
its plentiful), rice, dates, and rubies! I think that will get me some
good trade from Arabs in Mecca. I also want to learn about the religion
of Islam. Bassam made me interested with interesting facts. He said
they even have rules like 5 pillars. I do not know what this means.
Does it mean Muslims have to put 5 pillars in front of their homes?
Bassam wouldnt explain, just told me others would explain in Mecca.
2 Days Until Mecca
I am just writing this entry because I realized some plants are plentiful
around here, like the acacia trees. I knew someone named Acacia back
at home in Timbuktu. She traveled there from across the world. I never
knew from where. Maybe far-away relatives came from Arabia!
A few Hours Until Destination!
Mecca is only a few hours away! We are already preparing our trade
items and getting everything we need ready. Soon we will be learning
about Islam with some of Bassam;s friends who live near there.
Were in Arabia!
Few minutes are left until we reach the holy city of Mecca. I am going
to meet some of Bassams friends to learn about religion.
They have taught me about the 5 pillars, which arent what I thought
they were. The Five Pillars of Islam are five acts in Islam, considered
mandatory by most believers. Islam is also a monotheistic faith. I
learned this means they believe in 1 god only, Allah. We are having a
Great Trade in a short while, so I need to prepare.
Mecca - Great Trade
We have begun trading and I have already traded dates for boiled
candies, and rice for perfumes. Other things I got were dried fruit and
spices for some silver. I have heard many people talking about the
Kaaba, and I asked Bassams friends, Adil and Hadiyya. They explained
it was part of the religion to visit the sacred Kaaba at least once in their

life if its possible. If they are sick or unable, it can be excused. The
religion was incredible. So many things to learn, like praying 5 times a
day. But it was normal to them! I was fascinated.
A week Later
Many from the caravan have converted to Islam! Bassam was right.
Some did convert like he predicted. It was truly amazing to learn about
the religion, but I didnt convert like some others. Bassam hopes to
take us to the Kaaba tomorrow. I am very excited for the experience!
For now, Farewell Journal.

-Lungile