Traveler in Tindouf. Dakhla, going for a walk with Charo

By Javier de Blas in Tindouf, Algeria

Between February and March 2015 I spent a month living with a Sahrawi family in their “haima” in the refugee camps of Tindouf. Every Tuesday, I’m posting here the notes and sketches I made about daily life in the camps.

If there is any local word you don´t understand, please check in Local terminology post.

18.03.2015

We get up early to meet with the convoy going to Dakhla. Dakhla is the farthest away wilaya. Separated from the others so nowadays, going by road takes two only hours, but until very recently it took four to six hours through the desert.

Its remoteness makes it difficult for the aid workers and foreigners in general to travel there, we can only go there twice a week, with an escorted convoy. It has also influenced in the depopulation of the prettiest of the wilaya.

Charo takes us to Dakhla and we stroll through some of their areas. We visit the hospital and they are very kind in showing us around. As usual. I am surprised by a parapet mesh that protects a fledgling palm tree at the front door. On the right is the nursing school. My attention is also drawn to the waiting area for emergencies. But we all know what visits are like, always quick.

Later we see the Quranic School. A very unique building, typical in Dakhla. I’m a little uncomfortable by being immersed in a Muslim center. I feel a little bit like an intruder, but it’s just my own feeling. A novices feeling. The people there treat us with warmth as usual.

Charo has to go back with the return expedition. She has been with us for two hours so she leaves us in Mohamed Ali’s house, where we wait until the next convoy leaves.