A mesmerizing display of nature. A strong windfrom the south shifted the whole surface of fine white sand, pouring it acrossthe tarmac like a constant flow of water, and blowing it off the sharp edges of small dunes, making the whole landscape shimmer in the early morning sun. Soon the sky darkened and large, lazy spots of water began to bounce off the car, developing into brief, heavy showers and, later, into a widespread, moderately heavy downpour. The temperature dropped to about 18șC, an amazing phenomenon considering it was mid-morning in the Sahara Desert.