In the vast Sahara Desert, there is a legendary tale of love and freedom that still fascinates countless people. The protagonists of this story are Sanmao, the most iconic wandering writer in the Chinese world, and her beloved Spanish husband Jose. Their love blossomed in Laayoune, Western Sahara, Morocco, becoming a beautiful chapter intertwined with literature and reality.
Sanmao was born in Chongqing and moved to Taiwan with her parents at the age of three. She later lived in various places, including Spain, Germany, and the United States. Her birth name was Chen Maoping, but at the age of three, she struggled to write the character “懋” and simply skipped it, leading to her name being changed to Chen Ping. Fascinated by Sanmao the Orphan, she later renamed herself Sanmao, a choice that seemed to foreshadow a life destined to be a wandering tale of its own.
Sanmao was romantic by nature, loved freedom, and was full of yearning for exotic cultures. The Sahara, this vast and mysterious desert, became the utopia of her dreams. She longed to find a spiritual home here. Sanmao saw a photo of the Sahara Desert and was shocked by its desolation, just like her hometown in her previous life. She told Jose that she wanted to go to the Sahara, and Jose said, "I'll go with you." In this way, Sanmao came to Laayoune under the guidance of fate.
Laayoune is the largest city and administrative center in the Western Sahara region. It is located on the Atlantic coast and is surrounded by golden sand dunes and vast Gobi. The city name means "spring water" in Spanish, and it is named after the natural water sources scattered around it. In 1974, Sanmao came here with her husband Jose and began their unique life in the Sahara. Although they lived in poverty, they were rich in spirit, their days were sweet as honey, and every day had new surprises. This city witnessed their love and became the most fascinating background of "Stories from the Sahara".
José is the most important partner in Sanmao's life. Their acquaintance was full of drama. As early as when Sanmao lived in Spain, Jose fell in love with her at first sight, and exchanged Sanmao's love with his persistence for several years.
Jose was a Spanish engineer who was sent to work in Western Sahara by the Spanish government. In the desert city of Laayoune, they lived a simple and adventurous life. Jose not only tolerated Sanmao's romance and sensitivity, but also protected her with meticulous care. This love that transcends culture and borders has become a beautiful yearning in the hearts of many people.
During the years in the Sahara, Sanmao and Jose started almost from scratch and built their home in that desolate and mysterious land. They lived in a dilapidated little house, and their daily life relied on limited supplies, making bed boards and furniture by themselves.
Life in the desert was harsh and difficult, with no water, no electricity, no books, and no entertainment, but the prices were extremely high, but it brought Sanmao unspeakable happiness. With her talent and optimism, she turned this barren land into a warm home. This pair of true and affectionate lovers in the desert seemed to need nothing but love.
They met the local Berbers, communicated with the desert residents, learned local customs, and experienced pure and real life. Sanmao recorded their every moment in "Stories from the Sahara" with delicate brushstrokes: riding camels in the desert, trading with locals, cooking exotic food, and even sitting around the campfire in the long night of wind and sand to tell stories from afar.
However, fate did not allow this beautiful love to continue. In 1979, Jose died accidentally while performing underwater engineering operations on the seabed of La Palma Island. He was only 30 years old. This sudden blow broke Sanmao's heart, "asking the tired feathers at the end of the world, where to rest", she finally decided to end her 14-year wandering life, leave the Sahara, and return to Taiwan.
The unforgettable pain of losing a lover cannot be diluted by time. Once you have seen the sea, you will never be satisfied with the water. Sanmao could never forget the love with Jose. In the 12 years since then, she has not been able to get out of the shadow of losing Jose. The living Sanmao has become an empty shell, and her soul has followed Jose. Obviously, Jose's sudden death has made Sanmao's spiritual world desolate and her heart dead.
Although their love did not last until old age, Sanmao used her words to make Jose live forever in people's memory. Her works "Stories of the Sahara" and "How Many Flowers Fall in Dreams" have become the most classic love chapters in Chinese literature.
The story of Sanmao and Jose is not only a love legend across national boundaries, but also an exploration of freedom, romance, and the meaning of life. The Sahara Desert is not only a witness to their love, but also a part of Sanmao's spiritual world.
To this day, many people still follow Sanmao's footsteps and go to Laayoune to find the land where she once lived and feel the desert that once haunted her. The love story she wrote with her life still touches countless people.
The love between Sanmao and Jose is like the wind in the Sahara, short but eternal. The golden desert still quietly guards this legend. No matter how time passes, their story will be passed on in people's hearts and become a symbol of love and freedom.
If you also yearn for the Sahara described by Sanmao, you might as well join our Western Sahara Fantasy Adventure Classic IP Theme Tour to find Sanmao's footprints and feel the romance and legend she once wrote. This route will also take you to visit the place where Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, the author of "The Little Prince", once stayed and check in the filming location of "Game of Thrones".
Click here to explore more travel guides in Morocco: Travel Inspirations.
Planning to travel to Morocco? You can refer to these itineraries for inspirations:
3-Day Sahara Adventure: Marrakech to Fes via Ait Benhaddou & Merzouga Desert
5-Day Journey through Northern Morocco: A Blend of History and Culture
7-Day Morocco Adventure: A Custom Journey from Marrakech
13-Day Moroccan Odyssey: A Custom Journey from Casablanca
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