Wednesday, March 25th
Day 2 was a full day of shark tooth hunting, with a nap in the middle to avoid the scorching heat. The upside down dune tent did a surprising job of keeping out the heat.
Roberto’s truck is also equipped with a shower that produces both hot and cold water. So when it got really hot, we all hopped out and doused ourselves with water.
Our shark tooth hunt was very successful in the morning! The sun was high so the teeth would shine as you walked by. They were easy to spot. Roberto had also found us a prime location where many teeth were just showing up above ground. (If the teeth are exposed to the wind for too long they break. This happens in a matter of weeks.) I found at least 10, ranging in size from half an inch to almost 3 that morning.
Scott had the best find of the trip that afternoon, with a piece of a huge megaladon tooth. Unfortunately after that, some cloud had developed so the teeth didn’t shine. The conditions weren’t as exciting for me, so I spent most of the afternoon avoiding the heat in Hermalinda while Roberto and Scott searched.
I had been thinking all day about some of the things Roberto had talked about the night before. So, when Scott and Roberto disappeared to the other side of the hill, I got my journal out. I ended up spewing on and on about my life and where I want it to go. I was definitely feeling inspired. Or maybe I was just delirious from the heat.
That night around the campfire Roberto asked me what I had been writing in the truck that afternoon, and I told him. He broke down a bit in regards to being a shaman. “You come to the desert and there is no life. And then you realize life is important.” “I want you to find yourself out here.”
Over a few boxes of wine (bottles would break in the bumpy truck ride) he talked a lot about his life and what drives him. It was great.
Desert Food
By the way, you might be interested in what we ate in the desert. You can’t exactly cook anything, because if the wind blows at all, you end up eating sand filled with calcium carbonate (aka antacid). Not good for your stomach in large quantities. You would probably get very “patetic” and have to leave.
We ended up having baked beans in a can (opened and then cooked right on the fire) our first night. The lid was left on to cover the can to keep the sand out. Also no dishes needed.
We got a little more creative on the second day with tuna out of the can and salsa de ají (hot pepper sauce) on rolls for lunch. Dinner was baked beans again, and cup of soup.
Breakfast was always peanut butter on a roll, in addition to Roberto’s insanely strong coffee. We brought a lot of fruit with us, which was great in the truck. And water, of course, with some Zuko (kind of like Tang) as a treat. Five 2.5 liter bottles wasn’t enough.
That is an awesome story. I love the idea that desolence or “lack of life” can illuminate life or the “importance of it.” It’s like eating after not being able to eat for a while.
Keep up the “soul” searching!