Lunch in Bend, Oregon

We step out of the dune buggies and straight into the shade of a Bedouin tent — woven fabric moving gently with the desert breeze. Outside, the dunes of Wadi Araba stretch endlessly. Inside, everything slows down. Lunch is already waiting. Maqlubeh — rice, vegetables, and tender chicken layered carefully in a pot over the fire. When it’s flipped onto the tray, everyone leans in for that moment. Steam rising. Spices in the air. That first shared look before the first bite. After the thrill of rac