Camel caravan carrying salt from the mines in Dallol, Danakil Depression, Ethiopia
With nowhere to hide from the sun we had to spend a lot of time dozing inside our stuffy hut. In the afternoon we never had less than 42 degrees Celsius (110 degrees Fahrenheit) in this oven-like shelter. Once in a while the wind picked up and the whirling dust engulfed the entire village. But at least this gave a bit of relief from the heat.
The daily excitement started right after our afternoon nap. Endless caravans were passing right by our hut: hundreds of camels, each carrying up to 240 kg of salt plates tied around their hump. The first two days we ran around like crazy when they approached, making videos and photos. The very last day, we just sat in our folding chairs sipping tea and simply watched the world sway by – a heavenly feeling.
Camel caravan carrying salt from the mines in Dallol, Danakil Depression, Ethiopia
Otherwise, there was not much to do in the village. Our main excitement in the evening was walking to the well on the edge of the village. Passing through the village, we could watch the men sharpening their tools for another day of hard work in the salt fields. At the well, young boys and girls were pumping up the storm and the yellow canisters were shouldered onto donkeys which knew their way home inside out.
The old well has almost dried up and is slowly filling with plastic trash. Nevertheless, little goats risk their young lives trying to reach the puddle of water on the bottom. Once we got there when 1.000 camels were unloaded to stay over night in the dried up river bed. It was quite a sight, camels as far as you can see, with the salt blocks neatly piled up next to them.
Camel caravan carrying salt from the mines in Dallol, Danakil Depression, Ethiopia,
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