A beautiful Sunday morning at Isthar’s ark.

Sheba and Kalahari rest together in the sand.

Our one month old filly rolls in the sand, eyes closed, under the watchful scrutiny of the self-proclaimed personal bodyguarddog Sheba.

While Kalahari tries to nap, Sheba decides to give the filly a little grooming.

What? You didn’t like that?

OK, I’ll be horse then [...]

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After nearly three months together at Isthar’s Ark, our time with this beautiful grey barb gentleman named Illami came to an end this past weekend.

BFFs for sure: Illami and his boy (Isaku)

Looking grand with a braided mane!
We knew it was coming as we were only keeping him for our friend Paige while she [...]

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1975. My mother in the north of Norway, twenty-two years old and recently married to the love of her life. Six years and two children later, they would have me. An additional six years and two countries later, their small family would move to a landlocked country in the heart of the Sahara desert with [...]

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Smögen, 1982

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I promised you yesterday that I’d post a continuation on the 1986 Sahara crossing today, so here goes:

A quick recap for those of you who just dropped in for the first time:
The Garvi Family is on a five week long journey through the Sahara desert, moving their little tribe from the comforts of a temporary [...]

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My world in Africa as you know it began in 1986 with a five week long journey through the Sahara desert, when our family moved south after spending two very agreeable years in Tunisia where my parents prepared to set up a project in the least developed country in the world: Niger, West Africa.

In my [...]

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If I could turn back time
I would relive all those moments again
The good and the bad
The wonderful and the painful
The laughter and the tears

If I could turn back time
I would hold my breath and be still
I would take in every sight
Every smell, every look, every word spoken
I would not want to forget

Not the good nor [...]

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Saturday morning after a bush ride…

…6 oranges and 10 minutes later…

The perfect start of the day!

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For more images of the sky from around the world, check out:

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Copyright Eden Foundation
Although I enjoy my life in Niger very much, my life in Niger is not the reason why I am here. The people of Tanout are. What you see above is not a pond of latte, but the remnants of a seasonal lake. The water in the pond is drinking water. Precious drinking [...]

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Crossing the Jaques Chirac Road
Remember leaving the village of Kasheni? If not, here’s where you go for a recap - but don’t take too long, or you’ll have trouble catching up!

And there is so much Zinder bush to explore!

The barb mares Sahara and Arwen are eager mounts - as always.

…and Arwen’s five month old [...]

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Early morning at the Eden Office starts with Sheba the Rhodesian Ridgeback charging in to meet up with her friends.
SHEBA [comes running]: Baloo, Baloo! My very best friend in the entire world! I have been waiting so too see you! Want to see my new attack move?? I’ve been practicing on Dennis Mugu all [...]

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Anette with Ishtar’s Ark’s (almost) same-sized babies

Kalahari and Sheba sharing the attention

Beautiful Kalahari - daughter of Sahara and Rio

Hope you’re all having a wonderful weekend!
Warm greetings from Ishtar’s Ark!

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Every now and then, we take the goats out for a walk. Not only is it an interesting head-turner in a country where no goats have names much less collars (and way much less are taken out for pleasure walks), but I always find it interesting to watch how different animals take in their surroundings.

Last [...]

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