Desert displaying an uncommon tinge of white, possibly due to the heavy concentration of limestone, gypsum, or chalk.
In the realm of Perspectives, we delve into the world of Jean Malaurie, a renowned French cultural anthropologist and geographer who left an indelible mark on the exploration of the Arctic.
Malaurie's life and work are the focus of interest for a collaborator, currently on an Icelandair flight bound for Nuuk, Greenland, with a layover in Reykjavik, Iceland. This journey echoes Malaurie's own expedition in the summer of 1950, when he and his Inuit companion Kutikitsoq discovered the secret U.S. military installation being built in Thule, Greenland—a finding that would eventually force the exile of the last kings of Thule.
The town of Schefferville, Quebec, has become a white desert dotted with spruce trees for this collaborator, much like it was for Malaurie. Two tourists, a mother and her daughter, recently visited Schefferville, sharing their experiences and connections made in their respective deserts—one in the village of Lac-Édouard, near La Tuque, and the other in the territory of Manicouagan-Uapishka, where she resides. Their stories moved the owner of Guest House in Schefferville, Isabelle Nadon, who confides that she feels a peace there unlike anywhere else.
Malaurie's polar retreat was not devoid of breathtaking sights. The red sun, blurred by mist, set in a sky striped with tawny streaks, as described by Malaurie himself. In Schefferville, the silhouette of the pines stands out against a pink and purple evening of unparalleled clarity.
Born in 1923, Malaurie arrived in Thule, Greenland, in 1950 and spent a year with a few polar Inuits. It was during this time that he learned the Inuit dialect, lived in an igloo, ate raw seal, raw whale, and summer birds, and mastered a dog sled. His most notable achievement was reaching the geomagnetic North Pole by dog sled in May 1951, an almost superhuman feat.
Tragically, both Malaurie and magazine editor Isabelle Vaillancourt, who published "Les Débrouillards" among others, have passed away. Their legacies, however, continue to inspire and captivate those who dare to explore the deserts—be they the hot, sandy expanses of the Sahara or the icy wastes of the Arctic.
References: [1] https://www.history.com/news/thule-air-base-greenland-cold-war-us-military-secret
- The collaborator's journey, mirroring Malaurie's expedition, showcases how adventure-travel can lead to cultural immersion, as they both delve into diverse lifestyles and receive warm welcomes from local communities.
- Just as Malaurie discovered the beauty of the Arctic landscape, modern travelers embarking on adventure-travel journeys find themselves captivated by the breathtaking sights and unique culture that each desert, whether icy or sandy, has to offer.
