The deserts of the Arabian peninsula are home to some fantastic stories. Which stories are true and which are myths? George Fox is a young archeologist who has travelled to Oman on a quest to find the lost city of Uram. A hopeless quest, some would say, as the city was lost in the desert sands over six hundred years ago.
The colourful central market is
crowded
with local people. In a small
cafe near the main square,
George is
negotiating
with an old Omani
gentleman. 'I'm willing to pay over
two hundred Omani rials
for a guide
to take me into the desert,' he
says to
the bemused
looking gentleman.
'My young friend, the city you seek
is lost, and the desert storms will
grind
you into dust. It is suicide to attempt to find the city.'
'What if I offered five hundred rials, and told you that I have a map
that was recently discovered that shows the location of the city?'
'If you offer me one thousand rials then perhaps I can say goodbye to
my wife, sons and grandchildren forever. I am an old man, they need the
money.'
'Then I think we have a deal,' George replies, 'and we leave at sunset.'
'I have one condition,'
the old Omani adds, 'You must tell no one about
our trip.'
'That's fine. I accept. I shall return at seven o'clock
tonight.' The
two men
shake hands.
Suddenly, a strong wind begins to blow and there is a great noise
from
the north: a desert storm
is coming. Within seconds the car is
engulfed
in a gigantic
sandstorm.
They can see nothing out of the windows. 'Hamed, we have to keep
driving, we are almost there!'
'My young friend, if we do not find the city, we will die. I hope your
map is correct!'
But the storm is too strong and the Toyota slowly stops. The men sit
and wait.
The storm blows for hours until, just as the sun is
rising in the east, the wind suddenly stops and, in seconds, the sky
clears. In front
of the car are the city gates of Uram. 'Wow!... I can't believe it!
We've found it! It's Uram!' George shouts with joy.
'The storm has uncovered the city. My friend you are a lucky man.
Praise
be to Allah.'
They step out of their Toyota and walk towards the gates. Hamed pushes
one of the heavy wooden gates open and walks in, but George takes a
moment to look back across the desert. In the distance he sees six
riders on camels. They are heading for the city. George
runs through the gate and grabs Hamed's sleeve, 'There are riders
coming!
Six of them on camels. They will be here in maybe twenty minutes.'
'You saw nothing my young friend, only the sand blowing up in circles.
Your eyes deceive
you. Maybe the sandstorm has blinded you,
eh?'
'No. I saw them, I tell you, and they'll be here soon.'
My young friend, no one ever comes here, there is no water for camels,
not for four hundred kilometres. We are the first people in this place
for over six
hundred years.
You are
mistaken.
I fear you are going crazy in my desert' the guide
laughs.
'Maybe they are nomads
or bandits.
we'd better get the rifle,
just in
case.'
'There is no one out there, I promise you. Only desert
ghosts.'
Six riders on camels are using the stars to navigate across the never-ending sands. The broad flat feet of their camels making no noise as they walk on and on towards their goal. In the silver moonlight, their destination appears: the ancient city of Uram. Once a place of riches and wonders, but now lost in the shifting sands. A place where memories blow like whispers around empty buildings and silent courtyards. They ride on through a sudden storm, and as the sun rises, they reach the city.
The two men stand at the city wall and watch as six riders on
camels silently approach. They stop and dismount.
Their leader
walks up to George and throws back his ghutra.
George stares
into his
face. His eyes are black, and full of stars. The young archeologist
panics
and looks at his guide Hamed. But Hamed's face has changed, and
in place of his eyes, George can see the night sky and stars, so many
stars.
'My young friend, the secrets of the desert and the riches of Uram must
remain secrets forever. I am sorry.'
Suddenly, the wind begins to blow from the north and the city goes dark
as it is
engulfed in another desert storm. Then, after many hours, the storm subsides,
and
the city has gone. But, there is something colourful in the sand: the
roof of a car. However, slowly and silently, sand covers the
roof,
and it too is gone.
Seven ancient riders on camels are using the stars to navigate across the desert. They move silently across the featureless sands, keeping watch, and protecting their city from anyone who would discover its secrets. Their task is eternal..