There are two main parts of the Sinai Trip that stand out in my memory. The first was the sense of community whilst working at the well site with the Bedouin. Although we were coming from an alien culture, only passing through like the hot desert winds, while we were working on the protective wall there was no longer the boundary that separates the nomad from the European. For me it was a sign of hope – that it is possible for cooperation to bear fruit out in that harsh environment. There was a sense that our two cultures had moved slightly closer together – a mutual respect.

The second aspect of the trip that remains with me is the timelessness of the desert and of those who live in the desert. The calmer way of life that does not rush and is so lacking in the technological mayhem that is the modern day in Western Europe. I was inspired by the work of Selima and Mahmoud in their efforts to protect the Bedouin culture from gradual degradation, they have carved out a vision for their families and the remaining tribes of the Sinai.