Zouerat

7 november 2022

The journey today was late in starting but did ensure that I got to ride with Yussof, a famous experienced driver in the area.

We set off down the road towards Atar and the gorge when a tyre punctured. It was a great opportunity to see a wheel changed in record time, the scenery of the gorge and three camels being herded down the road.

In Atar, I again had a 5 hour wait for transport. This time I visited some people in the market, visited an Auberge with an offer of work in the tourist industry and chatted to fellow travellers in the transport office. Time passed quiet quickly.

The journey to Zouerat is across desert on tarmacked road often cover with blown sand. Again, an incredible trip with people who become friends and great company. On this trip there was a lot of laughter and dancing; all inspired by our jolly driver who was playing a wonderful menue of Mauritanian music throughout.

In Zouerat, I'd arranged to meet Jed, a guide who was going to help me arrange the train trip back to Nouadhibou and let me stay at his home.

Everything went smoothly, and I was soon sitting in his home with his two sisters, sharing a dish of couscous and managing to have a great conversation thanks to his patient translations from Arabic to English.