Live on the Wild Side

This morning I was putting away things....I am always putting away things...but this morning the things included a couple of photo albums the girls had out.  The photos were those of my trip to Qatar in 06.  It was an adventure my sister and brother in law brought me out on after being severly ill for months with pneumonia.  In order to get better, they gave me a trip to look forward to.  It was a light at the end of a long, dark, sick tunnel and was a trip of a lifetime.  As I looked through the pictures of the fun things we did and saw, I found a picture of Kara, Todd and I in the desert, the day we went 'duning'.  And I was reminded of a wonderful story and figured, it was good enough to share....

Kara and Todd took me to the desert - it wasn't far away - heck, they live in it.  However, this was the fun desert where all the adventure seekers spent some time driving around at warp speed over mounds of sand.  I was pumped beyond belief to do this quest.  It just looked too fun. And truly, it kinda was! Todd had to let some air out of the tires for traction and then told me to hang on.  Apparently, lots of people die in the Mid East doing what we were setting out to do.  You can't see over the dunes...and often people barrel up them and then crash into oncoming crazy people trucks!  Lots of car accidents in the middle of the sand.  Insane.  We drove around for  a good time, and I even got out to do some dune climbing on my own.  The sand was hard to climb and the wind whipped it onto my skin, stinging.  I had to keep my mouth shut while climbing or else I would have drowned in sand.  I made it to the top of the dune and was amazed.  What a sight.  I clumbsily clammered back down the dune into the truck and we set off again and found a perfect spot to stop and watch the crazy Arabs driving their Range Rovers at insane speeds.  There was one truck in particular that was putting on a show for all of us on lookers.   We all oohed and aahed at his panache and skill at handling the shifting sands.  He looked like he had a death wish - and we were all mesmerized watching him.  Soon he flew up the dune and stopped next to us. "Come for ride," he said to Kara and I, as he looked us over.  Kara and I looked at each other.  Todd backed away and said not a hope in hell was he getting in that mans truck.  I looked at Kara again and said, "When are we ever going to have this chance again.  It's not everyday some Arab man asks you to go for a joyride in the Middle East in his suped up Rover"...And so, we gave Todd our cameras, bid him adieu and climbed in.  The best part whas getting in the truck.  He had a couple of huge shot guns and bullets covering the front seats and had to move them for me to sit down. He grabbed the guns and threw the bullets onto the floor.  I looked at Kara with very big eyes and just laughed. We were on  crazy trip and I was loving every moment of it. 
Off our Arab buddy went.  I don't like roller coasters.  I get weazy in fast moving elevators. This man put his foot on the gas and barreled down the sand....I yelped and laughed  - going downhill at ridiculous speed - my stomach was in my mouth.   He just stared at us and laughed with us.  Around and around the sand dunes we flew.  We could see Todd taking video and made comments how he was recording our last moments of our lives.  After 10 minutes our time was nearly up...we were climbing a huge dune..one where you simply did not know what was on the other side.  We reached the crest and our buddy put his foot to the floor...and we went  flying thru the air before crashing down.  I screamed the whole way. Bullets flying, Arab man roaring in laughter, Kara catching her breath...It was the Dukes of  Hazzard, Arab style.  I was just relieved the gun didn't go off as it was pointing at Kara.  The sweaty dark man had had his fun with us cute little Canadian girls and dropped us off to a grateful Todd.  Our Arab was a man all in white with bad teeth - and a smile from ear to ear.  Kara and I were both a little shaky exiting the vehicle.  The sheep skins on the seats made for a comfortable ride, but man was I happy to be out of my plush seat and back with my feet on the hot sand!
I can shut my eyes and I am there.  It was the time of my life and I am so glad I got to have it with my sister and brother  in law. 
Life lesson here?  Live on the Wild Side!!!