Desert night

When we get to the camp site the sun is beginning to go down and after a short rest we are brought round to where a yoga area has been setup with candles in the rocks all around and we do a yoga session as the sun descends the sky and darkness comes over. At the end of the session without a word we all just sit meditating for an extra 10-15 minutes just taking in the peace of the desert.
Back at the tent we are greeted by Sheikh himself, the king of this part of Sinai.
I have never been in the presents of royalty before but there was no airs or grace with this king. He is a true gentleman and he extended his hand a greeted me with the warmest welcome and we sit together on the ground. After all the greeting and getting comfortable the food was served. A delicious meal of rice, veg stew and a meat stew. After all the walking and yoga I made a bit of pig of myself but I think they consider it a compliment. After dinner the Sheikh and I just sit talking. He really is a true gentleman, with a kind disarming face with a greying mustage that add to his air of nobility. He is curious about my travels and enquires about my plans and compliments me on them. His english is good enough to communicate these simple things. We talk for a good bit, our voices almost down to a mumble as is the way when in the peace and quite in the desert.
After dinner Corina and Lez interview the Sheikh for the article, his son, an impressive man with a great presence and clear serious face translates the more intricate questions and answers and between swoons the girls get their interview done.
The Sheikh answers all the questions with great patients and wisdom. His respect for the land and his people is really touching. He is a working man, he organises safaris for people and his attitude to tourists is fantastic, saying he learns from them about recycling and he feels it is a true privileged to bring them the desert way of life.
After the interview he bids us all a warm farewell and off he goes into the desert night and we all get on with the serious business of the sheeshaa, chatting and singing.
We are doubly privileged as we have another special person with us. He is a very respected man among the Bedouins. He referred to as "The Camel Man". He is considered a sort of shaman. He tells stories of the camels and what he can tell from the tracks. One of the stories he tells is of a village where there is a thief at work and from the tracks (not sure weather they are people tracks or camel tracks) he can tell the name of the man. Firstly though he makes the people of the village promise that they will not punish the man or bring harm to him before he gives them the name so that his power is not used to hurt somebody.
Into the night he tells us stories and legends of the camel. The camel is still so important to the Bedouins and it still is really at the core of their society. After more tea and talk eventually it is time for bed. The Desert is a strange place to sleep. There is a very fine line between dream and reality here and I have a very restless night dreaming waking dreams.