Women's Heritage Walk 2017. Gulf News reporter Sarvy Geranpayeh follows 50 women from 20 different nationalities as they embark on a 125 kilometer walk between Al Ain and Abu Dhabi to retrace the footsteps of Emiratis who used the route for trade and to escape harsh weather conditions.
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00:00On the 9th of March, 50 women from 20 different nationalities began a 125-kilometre walk between
00:13Al Ain to Abu Dhabi to trace the footsteps of Emiratis who travelled this route twice
00:18a year to escape the harsh weather conditions and for trade.
00:23The women, or Sand Sisters as they called each other, walked around 30 kilometres a
00:27day through the desert, stopping midday for lunch and a short nap.
00:32The Abu Dhabi Tourism and Cultural Authority, who supported the event, did their best for
00:37the women to have a more authentic cultural experience by arranging cultural events such
00:42as traditional Al Taqruda singers to meet them in the desert.
00:53The occasion also provided the women with the opportunity to try traditional Emirati
00:58dancing which involves women waving their hair from side to side.
01:03During the walks, the organisers ensured that everyone was safe and arrived at the overnight
01:08campsites before sunset.
01:10By evening time, stomachs were rumbling and the long day's hikes got everyone queuing
01:15up for a warm cooked dinner.
01:18The crackling campfires provided the perfect setting for soothing evenings in the desert.
01:24Unfortunately, this year's event, which was on its third year, had to be cut short by
01:29two days due to extreme weather conditions.
01:46As the closing ceremony also cancelled due to rain and high winds, the Dutch ambassador,
01:51whose wife was taking part in the event, opened his home to the women so they could have their
01:56final celebrations and get together as planned.
02:00Although the participants did not complete the full walk, they still completed 90 kilometres
02:05of the 125 kilometre journey, which gave them plenty of time to reflect and learn from each
02:11other.
02:12I really wanted to challenge myself to do something I've never done before and to break
02:19some bad habits and maybe to get fit, to do more exercise, to change things in my life.
02:27And I wanted to meet new people.
02:29I was slightly erring on the side of caution when, you know, 50 women get round a campfire
02:34and kind of start empowering each other.
02:37I thought I didn't need any of that.
02:39I was purely going for the adventure.
02:41Well, I'm telling you now, these women, all of them, have literally shown me that that
02:49is not true.
02:50Their stories, their inspiration, their banter, their laughter, everything, absolutely everything,
02:57has just proved to me that, you know, I'm not a big shot and that I, you know, that
03:02I can learn something from all these women.
03:04They're just amazing.
03:05It was amazing, to be honest with you.
03:08I met different women, amazing women who came from different continents just to try this
03:13experience.
03:14I really felt, like, diversity and energy and very positive energy, especially from
03:20those, like, sisters.
03:21There were three specific things that I personally learned and they were positivity, perseverance
03:27and patience.
03:30And meeting these wonderful women from different cultures, nationalities and backgrounds just
03:34added to me and I added back to them.
03:36So as the year of giving goes for 2017, I was able to give and they were able to give
03:41in this platform.
03:42We were very lucky and fortunate to have this opportunity.
03:46Anyone who's interested in taking part in future events can contact the Women's Heritage
03:50Walk.
03:51But be quick, because there can be as many as 200 people on the waiting list.
03:55Savi Girampaya for Golf News.