8 February 2026
We knew we had a leaking break cilinder. So when we started moving again, we moved in to the direction of a Mercedes garage. But, we never reached the garage. Just before arriving, we were stopped by a car. Ayed saw us driving in the neighbourhood, jumped in his car and followed us. Why? Because he knew a truck like this driving in this street is looking for help. And because he happened to know this type of truck.
See, Ayed owns a truck transportation company. The company is now very big with hundreds of trucks in multiple locations. But a long time ago, his father started this company with just one truck. Exactly the one we are driving! While all their trucks are now brand new, the old truck is still standing strong, they have always kept it.
So we followed him into his company and before we knew it, people started working on the truck and had the tires removed. Someone went away to try to find the new part, some of them started to remove the tires at the other side just to check and do maintenance and some others brought us coffee and tea and even went to the grocery store to get all kinds of snacks for us.
They managed to find the part (the last one (again) available in the country!) and did a lot of work, but the sun was setting… we decided to call it a day. Luckily we where able to sleep just were we were. The alarm came a bit to early with workers starting at 6a.m. But the absolutely amazing breakfast they brought us gave our day the best start. They finished up the work, tested the brakes, even greased the whole truck ànd did a technical check. Last but not least they gave our truck some TLC by washing off all the desert sand. Again, all while serving us tea, coffee and snacks.
So we got ourselves an overnight garage retreat. And although it was a bit hard with the kids and the cats to entertain them all these hours, we were blown away by the skills and most of all hospitality of Ayed and everyone else in his company. We just keep smiling when thinking back of this whole experience and story. Never thought I would ever say that I am thankful to be chased by a car and stopped over!
