J107 – 4/3/2006

A Heat wave and sumptuous scenery will be remembered as our last day in Iran.  Mozradan is the only village we found on this semi-desert road where we could replenish supplies .  We have passed a few camps of Turkmen nomads who live near their herds of sheep and goats.  Their vast tents are made of white canvas.  The women wear fabrics of many colors, whereas the men usually wear a white turban.  Water seems to be a luxury here and there are many reservoirs to be seen, which would indicate that there are no wells or ground water. In the middle of the afternoon the temperature reached 40° Celsius and the girls wished they could take off their head bands and long sleeves and put on T-shirts. One can always dream!

This evening we found lodging in a transport company where there was no activity.  The guardians were charming and told us that we could take all the water we wanted, even though they are supplied by tank truck.  Each of us took a hot shower (a luxury) and some even washed some clothes.

Laure went on a reconnaissance with Madgid as far as the border post of Sarakhs, which is 30 kilometers from tomorrow’s departure point.  In the middle of the street, a door indicated that it was the customs at Sarakhs, just like a shop at the edge of the highway.  You couldn’t even imagine that there was a road beyond that door that will lead us to Turkmenistan tomorrow.