It happened so quickly. My reflexes made me turn around and sands hit me on the nape.This had been my first venture into a sandy desert and I was sitting so stupidly inside the car thinking about something utterly worthless. The vehicle stopped when they spotted Mikael, the man I was looking for, riding a camel through the sand dunes. For a moment I thought this man was crazy. He should be, as truth or things which are almost truth always come flashing. Anyway I was after this world-renowned Swedish explorer and I had to step out from the cool comfort of the four-wheeler to meet him.
Mercury levels were high and sands wore a deathly look. I was never a good observer and the fool I am, I was just thinking how poor I am in observing things at the very minute. And it hit me when I was staggering down towards Mikael. The winds, rather a head-on-collision, making me cover my face and turn around. It blows for a while, and I feel sands pricking my exposed neck and hands.
That's how cowards who flee the battlefield get treated, a shower of bullets from heavy artillery of the enemy to rip open their ever-stooping spines. Besides being stupid I feel I am a coward too, and reluctantly turn around to face the sandy winds. Behind the cloud of sands I barely see Mikael approach. Sands get into my nose, ears, into my shirt, I am all covered in a handful of dust.
"Welcome, my friend," wind blows away Mikael's greeting and I can't hear what he is saying. I feel the presence of a ventriloquist who roars into my timid ears. Welcome, says the desert. Welcome to my province of peace and violence, warmth and chill, the known and the unknown...I feel choked, my head heavy on my weak shoulders...Where have I trespassed into? Or who has crossed the threshold of my impertinence...comprehensions?
From behind the dust emerges a smiling face with nostril flaps and child's curiosity. Come, we could take millions of steps forward through this vast terrain...each step different from the previous one. I gape at the long eyelashes and furry ears, as the animal slowly turns away. Is something happening under my feet? I look down and discover that my feet have grown wide. Now that I may not sink down...the sands wouldnt swallow me...and I could walk for ages.
