SaudiTreks

We met early at the south fence where it angled to include the Davies mansion, the only two storey residence in Dhahran. It was clear and hot! We were headed to al Azzazziyah spit and our course of ESE would take us just south of the runway and through Beduoin territory. This was big stuff for a 12 year old. The season depending, there were usually a few black tents hugging the desert floor along our intended route of 11 kilos from Jebel Zhahrana to the coast. The scoutmaster showed us the thin, red line on the map, gave us the bearing and told us to stay together. Those without compasses teamed with those that did. We got on our stomachs for the first sighting, choosing a prominent feature (there were none) on the horizon or the nearest ridge.

Within the first few kilos we had lost touch with one another as we scattered across the eastern edge of al Hasa. My group's first challenge was the dogs of a Bedu encampment. We knew the rules of engagement and skirted the back of the tent at a good distance. The old man and a young boy watched us make the arc. We got down for another sighting and they came out the 100 or so meters to see what we were doing.

The dogs came with them. He had a flexible stick and swatted at them occasionally. He was courteous and curious. We had our knives, a few compasses, canteens, red checkered gutras with black egals. A few of us had scout shirts. Most were in short pants but a few wore jeans. We looked rag-tag actually. I've often wondered what he thought of us. We sunk down on the sand and made signs to one another. He talked rapidly and we did not understand much. We were nervous about him but he did not take advantage of us. We could tell he liked the fold-up pocket knives. After a few minutes we motioned toward the gulf and left.

On this trek we passed through an area of artifacts just beyond the runways; we found pieces of pottery bracelets and some colorful stones fogged by the beating sand. After a couple of hours, we topped a rise and in the distance we could see a narrow, dark ribbon of the gulf. We were excited by this but were still several hours away from our goal.

Although no one got lost, there were a lot of stragglers. Most of our canteens were bone dry. Everyone was glad to see the sweet water tanker truck that was common on our camparees. This was for drinking, cooking, and bathing. Another great ARAMCO benefit. We exchanged stories and showed what we had found. Pete Simons was quite popular; he came with a saluki pup from his group's encounter with a tribesman and his family. Pete had another story to tell when he got back home to Dhahran.

It was a three day camparee and the Crown Prince (Sa'ud) visited with his entourage. We prepared several scouting events, one of which was fire building. The first fire to spring up and cut the twine above was the winner. I saw something of Saudi generosity that day. When Pete won, the Prince put his hand behind his back, palm open. I saw a bodyguard quickly take off his wristwatch and slip it into the the Crown Prince's hand. He presented it to Pete. Our mouths dropped open. Several of my colleagues were awarded this way.

We made other treks, Jebel Shamaal, Ras al Mishab, Half Moon Bay, Bird Island, Bahrain, Hofuf, and Tarut Island by bus, boat, and even airplane. But I'll remember the trek to al Azzazziyah fondly because it was the only time I ever shook the hand of a real desert prince.

Rolf Christophersen