Desert diaries - Days 3 and 4

The team and their camels take a break in the Omani desert.

An international group of teenagers is travelling across the Sharqiya Sands in Oman to try to further cross-cultural understanding.

The young people come from Britain, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Oman, Pakistan and Fiji.

They are walking 20km each day using camels to carry their provisions. Their daily diaries are being published here to record the journey.

MONDAY 12 FEBRUARY

James Danvers, 19 - British:

After just three days in the desert my opinions and thoughts have changed from viewing this landscape as harsh and lifeless to seeing it as the vast, beautiful and majestic land that it is.

Despite language barriers it is also becoming far easier to communicate with other members of the expedition, allowing for deeper discussions than at the start of the expedition.

It has become clearer everyday through these discussions that in the things in life that count, one's values, goals and ambitions, we are all very much alike.

More scenes from the desert In pictures

In turn this has provoked discussion as to why there is such a perceived difference between the Arab and Western worlds, agreeing that it is the extreme actions of the few and misrepresentation in the media that sets our worlds apart, not us as individuals.

I am also increasingly impressed by the Bedu, who I have found to be the most resilient, resourceful and welcoming people that I have ever had the privilege of meeting.

---

Zaeem Ansari, 18 - Pakistani:

Throughout the day meaningful conversations have taken place allowing us to explore and appreciate each others' cultures and traditions.

Today I learnt that the most important things in each individual's life were the same despite the variety of cultures and heritage represented.

This has shown that the similarities between our cultures are much stronger than the minor differences.

I found that people do not believe that there is a misunderstanding between cultures but that misinterpreting the media has lead to a perceived problem between cultures.

We believe that between individual people from different cultures there is not real misunderstanding.

SUNDAY 11 FEBRUARY

Waleed Gadry, 18 - Saudi Arabian:

When I first heard about the Connecting Cultures programme, I didn't really understand the goal behind it, but once I did, I was impressed.

Mark, who is the organiser, did a pretty good job selecting the young people for this unique expedition.

Everyone became friends on day one.

I like the spirit of cooperation, the excitement and the team work.

We are trying to learn about each other's cultures. We are learning about leadership; working as a group; planning; communication and of course mutual understanding. All this helps us overcome the language barrier.

I am glad to be a part of this great experience and I hope my family will be proud of me.

I am learning a lot from everyone here, especially from Mark, our leader; Scott "the entertainer" and John "the photographer".

I will put it to good use in the school where I teach and with my boy scouts troop in my city of Jizan in Saudi Arabia.

---

Qusai Alzou'bi - Jordanian:

I was - and am - so glad that I was selected for this.

I am proud to be building friendships with people from different cultures, to know their customs and traditions and their personal behaviour.

I am learning more about taking responsibility; about making decisions and depending on myself in a difficult situation, and solving problems as part of a team.

I am gaining in self confidence, because you need to be a strong and confident person to succeed in the desert.

One important thing I am learning is how to organise precious time, both to my benefit and that of the team.

I am delighted to be visiting Oman.

I like learning how to ride a camel and how to build a relationship with the animal. The desert is a beautiful, magical world.

I am also learning how to prioritise, how to listen, and to take criticism positively. I believe everyone should be always positive and optimistic.

I feel I am an ambassador for Jordan, and I want to reflect a good image of my country.

I am not going to forget this time because I have enjoyed it all, and I wish the organisers success in helping others benefit the way we all have here.

---

Click here to read earlier diary entries

Read more on the background to the trip at Connecting Cultures.