Day 47: Atar, Camping Bab Sahara

People pray really diligently and persistently here. The first time during the day at 4:00 a.m., the second time around 7:00 a.m., then at noon, in the afternoon around 4:00 p.m., at sunset and again at the beginning of the night. We're getting a lot of sound.

We ordered a baguette for breakfast, wonderfully fresh and crispy. We actually always get bread. Did we mention that a military man gave Brigitte a baguette at the Moroccan border because he bought the last ones?

Two young Spaniards who arrived late via public transport and occupied the second hut are having breakfast prepared.

Abdul drove on beyond Atar straight to Chinguetti – unfortunately we won't meet again.

We dedicate ourselves to a few small tidying tasks. Driving in the desert demands a lot from people and materials. After the worst things have been cleaned, blown out and reattached, we lounge around in the shade of the acacia trees at midday, somewhat exhausted, until well into the afternoon, updating our diary.

Here I would like to say something again about the topic of digitalization. Cash is still the first and often only choice. ATMs only work to a limited extent – in Noaudhibu, according to Victor, five out of 40 and you first have to find the ones that work. In many other places there isn't even a bank.

SIM cards are helpful for quick internet research and, above all, Whatsapp and Facebook for exchanging information and contacting friends and other travelers.

Data transmission, on the other hand, is usually a pretty illusion. We hardly get any pictures uploaded. And then there are still long stretches where we have no network at all. Hopefully we won't need it urgently at some point. Fingers crossed!

We still have to go shopping and copy “fiche” – they are running out pretty quickly here. Our 20 copies with details of passport, car, etc. will not be enough. Somehow none of the checkpoints look at the fiche, but they are requested regularly, only from foreign guests, not by locals and rather for the benefit of the travelers, as the German living here confirmed to us yesterday. They probably don't want anyone to get lost in the desert here.