So, for the first time since I began this walk, I have the finance to kit up the expedition as I need to. I think even the camels in the Sahara heard me scream with relief and excitement when I got that particular email. To my utter shock, disbelief, and tremendous gratitude, they came back almost immediately with a 'yes'. Back I went to Dove, with a new proposal based on working with the company after I finish the desert leg of the walk. This bumped my costs up by several thousand euro, and as I had already begun buying the electronic communications equipment I need for the next leg, I was suddenly in trouble once again. Shortly after I heard from Marcel, I talked with Habib in Morocco, and we both worked out that due to some new restrictions on baggage and visas, we would have to drive down to Mauritania from Morocco - a long drive and an expensive process. It was absolutely brilliant to be talking with someone who understands feet - Marcel is an orthopoedic technician - and to feel that I will have shoes to rely on this stretch, so that I don't wind up with the aches and pains of last time. He is modifying a couple of pairs of Birkenstocks specially for the walk, tailoring them for the conditions and my feet. Marcel, the head of Birkenstock Australia, met with me last Friday. Birkenstock shoes, makers of awesomely comfortable sandals, have agreed to fund me. Long time no write! It has all been happening - so much so that I have barely known where to begin.įirst of all, I have the rest of the funding I need - just as well, since I have had a last minute budget blowout of horrid proportions.

The Saharan Queen by Paula Constant