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 six-year-old mind, I had high expectations - as always. Once we arrived, my sister and I would build a barbie house out of the carton boxes that were used in the move. My father would help us set up our lego town again and we would go to a new school and meet new kids.
I celebrated my sixth birthday in a camping in Ghardaïa. Although all our belongings were packed super tight in two vehicles, my parent had all my presents at hand. We had a lot of fun in the car later on!
Exotic Ghardaïa
Date palm trees
Sand dunes on our way south
Preparing the evening meal for a team of five grownups and three children
Barefoot in the desert!
The Sahara desert on the Algerian side
Visiting a market in an oasis between El Golea and In Salah
The rocky plains of the Sahara desert
After a while, the roads started to deteriorate dramatically-
…before disappearing completely.
My sister prepares the snack for the day
Finally, the Sahara desert starts to look more sandy and familiar…
Getting stuck for the umpteenth time: my brother helps to dig sand while my sister and I wait in the car 
On bad days, we only advanced a few km in an entire day’s work.
Reaching a landmark in the middle of nowhere!
Stay tuned for part II of the Garvi 1986 Sahara Journey, which will most probably be posted tomorrow. In the meantime, have a look at other people’s corner of the world:
22 users commented in " How it all started - Part 1 (of 2) "
Follow-up comment rss or Leave a TrackbackWow, what an amazing journey! The scenery so many people never get to see in their lives! So lucky of you to have such adventurous parents! What a great learning experience!
Esther: What a great story and I can hardly wait for part 2.
What an adventure story!
I’ll have to work my way back through this blog!
So personal and so fascinating and account of the first part.
A fascinating post! this truly is adventure with a capital A. Such wonderful memories to have and so much education just casually soaked up in passing.
You have wonderful pictures to remember the journey.
Wow! What an exciting life to have led. You’re very fortunate to have had all these experiences at a young age. I’m looking forward to seeing more of your adventure.
This is so interesting, Esther. I look forward to hearing more of this story.
Great photos of the adventure, too.
That is so neat that your family was so adventurous! What a wonderful thing to experience as a child.
Esther, this is so interesting! I enjoyed seeing your childhood shots too. Looking forward to your part 2.
Such amazing perserverance, determination and devotion with an adventurous spirit, too.
I’m amazed.
I also enjoyed seeing childhood photos of you as well as your family. Where are your siblings living now?
Can’t wait for the second installment.
~Lisa
New Mexico, USA
Amazing photos. Is it hard to find water there?
Intressant att läsa om er historia, ni måste ha gjort succe med er blonda hår. Jag väntar på nästa del.
What a life you’ve lived Esther! So much adventure!
I’m glad you enjoyed it, guys!
@Lisa: My brother lives two houses away from Ishtar’s Ark with his wife and two daughters (Tabita & Priscilla). My sister lives in Sweden.
@Grammy: Yes, there is no water in the Sahara desert except for in the oases, so once you’re on the road, you have to make do with what you have! If you run of out it, or have an accident and get stuck with your vehicle, you have to wait and hope that someone else drives by.
Your life has been amazing! What adventures for a child! And love the series of photos! Especially loved seeing the Sahara pictures!
Your parents were true pioneers and obviously passed on their passion to you. Great post and love the piccies.
What a great story! Can’t wait for part 2. It sounds like you have had a lifetime of experiances already.
[...] you want to know about Niger I promised you yesterday that I’d post a continuation on the 1986 Sahara crossing today, so here [...]
Wow Esther, what an experience for you and your family. How did you manage to have such wonderful photos to post?(1986 is pre-digetal?) Are they printed off the video camera/camcorder your dad is holding in the photos of Ghardaïa? In 2006, my husband did a 53day trip leading a convoy of vehicles from Guinea to Mali, skirting the Sahara desert. I’ve done one post on it and will be posting about his journey later on. However, your parents were so passionate about getting to their project, they didn’t stop at getting stuck, travelling through the desert with children. Amazing. I’m off to read Part 2! Hugs Jo
What an amazing adventure! This should be made into a documentary for TV. Your parents were incredibly brave and visionary people. You were blessed with strong and good parents.
Esther, I am envious that you got to make this trip. My father and I planed to do the crossing in ‘89 when we were coming from France and were counseled not to at the time due to some unrest in Northern Mali. Instead we took a freighter to Dakar, Senegal and then drove to Bamako, Mali and then to Burkina and Cote d’Ivoire where spent the rest of our time. I wouldn’t trade that trip for anything, but I still want to do that crossing. Of course right now I can’t even go north of Arlit. Let’s hope for a time when the biggest dangers in the desert are once again breaking down or getting stuck!
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