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Through the Sahara and back in a Fiat 500

"Through the Sahara and back" - that's the slogan of the journey to Africa of Burkhard Hildebrandt which he started at the 07.02.2010. But he does not challenge this one-of-a-kind adventure alone: his yellow Fiat 500 (year of construction 1969) will accompany him all the way down to Africa and back.

Through the Sahara and back in a Fiat 500


Hildebrandt himself is HIV-infected since 1995 and wants to give other persons who share his destiny new hope and courage. He wants to show them that no disease, even such a bad one like HIV, should prevent someone to live his dreams.

That his journey of 9.500 km length is not only a heavy challenge for his little Fiat 500 but also for the driver shows the interest of the German Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA). Before he started his trip the BKA asked lots of questions to Hildebrandt to be sure that he is aware of the risks of such a trip. But the officers didn't need much time to see that Hildebrandt is very well prepared for his nearly 2 months long adventure.

To support Burkhard Hildebrandt's project we provide him with all technical parts for free which he needs to keep his Fiat 500 going during his journey. We also deliver Mr. Hildebrandt these spare parts for free in any country in which he stays.  We hope to make a contribution to his journey and above all to help the HIV-infected persons in Africa who he visits to give them new courage and happiness. 

Through the Sahara and back in a Fiat 500

Travelogue: "Through the Sahara and back" part I

What happened since our last report?

In his yellow Fiat 500 Burkhard Hildebrandt has already covered over 3200 km and is in Africa now. His tour led him through Germany and Switzerland to France and then to Gibraltar in the south of Spain. There he traveled by ferry to Morocco on February 13th.  

Through the Sahara and back in a Fiat 500


At a maximum topspeed of 80 km/h the little Fiat 500 resisted nearly all the pressure of such an exhausting journey. There were only some problems with the air filter and the carburetor. But thanks to the help of the breakdown service the Fiat 500 could reach the repair shop where the needed repair was done.

The journey continued and after a short stop in Ceuta/Morocco Hildebrandt drove to Rabat on February 15th. But due to the high traffic volume in the North African cities he did not stay long there. The risk of an accident for the little Fiat 500 was to high to stay there longer so he continued his tour heading for his destination: the Sahara.

Through the Sahara and back in a Fiat 500

Travelogue: 'Through the Sahara and back' part II

What happened since our last report?

In the past two weeks Burkhard Hildebrandt drove with his little yellow Fiat 500 through Morocco. He stopped for example at an oliv plantation which a German emigrant runs and he visited a HIV ward in Agadir. His last location was the city of Mhamid in the south of Morocco.

Through the Sahara and back in a Fiat 500


The exhausting journey of Burkhard Hildebrandt holds different obstacles and problems. He has to fight with extreme terrain which leads the Fiat 500 to its limits. The gear shift control for example became unscrewed by the many road holes. The screws had to be fastened so that the third and reverse gear worked again. The motor oil had to be refilled after 6000 kilometers. The air filter and the V-belt had to be changed.

Through the Sahara and back in a Fiat 500


We also delivered some parts to Burkhard Hildebrandt as a gift to repair his Fiat 500. Mr. Hildebrandt needed for example a new fuel pump, axle boots, dampers, a V-belt and wiper-blades. We hope this helped him to continue his journey.

He is also successful with his project to visit HIV-infected Africans. Burkhard Hildebrandt reports on lots of touching meetings in the HIV ward of Agadir where an interpreter was with him. But he regrets that the people in Africa are very reserved when it comes to the topic of HIV. The major part of the population ignores the disease and the infected people are segregated from the community. Nonetheless Burkhard Hildebrandt does not lose his courage and keeps on talking to HIV-infected persons, doctors, natives or travelers who are inspired by his project.   

Through the Sahara and back in a Fiat 500

Travelogue: 'Through the Sahara and back' part III

Nearly two weeks ago Burkhard Hildebrandt drove back to Mhamid after arriving in Ouarzazate which is 170 km away from Mhamid. The reason was a meeting of Tuareg and Berber. A ambassador of the administration of the district was there, too, and Burkhard Hildebrandt used this opportunity to talk to the ambassador who admired his project and offered him a cup of tea in his tent.

Through the Sahara and back in a Fiat 500


The last position of Burkhard Hildebrandt was Marrakech in Morocco. There he was visited by a good friend from Germany. A welcome alternation to the nice but exhausting meetings in foreign languages.

Through the Sahara and back in a Fiat 500


Burkhard Hildebrandt visited the HIV ward in Marrakech and he reported of the segregation of the infected, the taboo HIV in Morocco and of very dedicated streetworkers who daily fight for Health Education and more open handling of the disease. When it comes to the topic of HIV Burkhard Hildebrandt often hears 'In Shalah' - which means 'With God's Help'. Despite the strong cultural differences he keeps on talking to the natives and does his best to help the HIV infected people.

Through the Sahara and back in a Fiat 500


His next stop will be Casablanca. There will be a grand Africa conference about HIV.

Travelogue: 'Through the Sahara and back' part IV

Burkhard Hildebrandt arrived on Saturday 10th of April 2010 in his hometown. On his tour he covered a distance of all in all 13.355 kilometers. Thereby he travelled with his yellow Fiat 500 from Germany across Spain trough troughout Marocco and back.

Through the Sahara and back in a Fiat 500


In the end of March Burkhard Hildebrandt's wife from Germany visited her husband in Marocco. So he could spend the last days in Marocco as some kind of holidays. The Fiat 500 got a little break before taking the long way home and with a rental car Hildebrandt and his wife explored the great landscape and the cities of Marocco.

After her departure Burkhard Hildebrandt started wistfully his way home to Germany, which went to Ceuta and trough the Strait of Gibraltar back to Spain. His trip home unfortunately was clouded by many mischances: his cell phone got wet, his digital camera went to pieces and his Fiat 500 lost two special screws, one on the gearshift linkage and the other on the wiper. After visiting a garage he could at least replace the missing screws. In addition, he needed to make several detours due to the bad weather and closed roads. After some additional problems with his car and his bank account he decided to finish his journey quickly.

Through the Sahara and back in a Fiat 500


On Tuesday the 6th of April we met each other in Biburg. Very glad to have the possibility to talk face-to-face to Burkhard Hildebrandt, we heard about the journey and his Fiat while having some tee and some coffee.

Through the Sahara and back in a Fiat 500


We could help him setting up his carburetor and the ignition and made many photos. As a souvenir Burkhard Hildebrandt got a model of his yellow Fiat 500 and the Axel Gerstl t-shirt. Our brandnew Axel Gerstl adhesiv label is decorating his vintage car's door.

Through the Sahara and back in a Fiat 500


Dated on the 10th of April Burkhard Hildebrandt completed his trip to Africa with a little party in the circel of his family, friends and sponsors. With this event his journey ends after more than two months.