Day Eight Hundred Thirty Two #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The desert was in sight by trek’s end last night. We knew better than attempt to enter it from this point. Instead we passed the morning looking for the landmark mentioned by Quasimo. A pile of rocks in the shape of a kingly statue.

Our side movement to the northwest proved fruitless, so we reversed direction and finally found the rock structure well to the southeast.

It stood guard where an emerging wadi continued its course into the desert itself, forming an avenue east to follow in the otherwise trackless sand.

We waited by the curious rock pile for the cool of the night to come on. And fortified ourselves with water from a nearby well against our future march.

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Day Eight Hundred Thirty One #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Our roundabout route via the wadi to the spot beneath the bridge consumed the rest of the day. But we remained there over night not because of the coming on of night, but because of the drone that was sniffing at our heels.

It was still present this morning. By the pattern of its movements we could tell it was combing back and forth, scanning each wadi. At one point it stopped midair as though contemplating something under its gaze.

Both of our hearts leapt with the thought that Quasimo’s cousin was the object of its scrutiny. And we both sighed with relief when it continued on without perpetrating any deadly action.

Elijah lowered his staff and we moved on.

Day Eight Hundred Twenty Four #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We learned the reason behind Quasimo’s choice of yesterday.

The ‘goat track’ kept on through the expanse, meandering from wadi to wadi. Well out of sight of the road. Though we were still aware of its presence by the rumble from the tanker trucks.

Elijah and I were delighted to pass the heat of the day by a well, situated beside the pastoral path. The water was fresh and sweet to the taste.

In the space of our short time there, we were joined briefly by shepherds stopping to water their flocks.

Quasimo knew one of the shepherds and from their conversation we could tell each was pleased with what the other had to say.

Afterwards, Quasimo took us home.