Love in the Desert — Sanmao, José, and the Art of Staying

05/06/2025 9 min

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Episode Synopsis

In this episode, I take you into the heart of the Sahara with Sanmao, whose luminous memoir Stories of the Sahara captures a life both harsh and extraordinary. Through her eyes, we witness a world full of raw beauty, unpredictable adventure, and the quiet power of companionship.At the center of her story stands José — her husband, her anchor. His love is not dramatic, but constant and true. I’ve always been deeply moved, even envious, of the way he loved Sanmao — gently, patiently, without needing to change her wild spirit.Together, they show us that even in the most unforgiving landscapes, love can bloom — not in spite of the chaos, but because of the way two people choose to walk through it together. This episode is a tribute to that kind of love, and to the freedom Sanmao embodied in every step she took.Let’s pass through that world together.