Day 1: Arriving in Libya (beyond expectations)

We arrived in Tripoli after obtaining a difficult-to-secure business visa, explored the city and Mediterranean coast, and saw the contrasts between new cafés, war-damaged buildings, and the closed National Museum. We then drove for hours through the Sahara, visited historical sites, met local police officers and residents, and learned about fuel shortages and smuggling. We continued toward Gadames near the borders of Algeria and Tunisia, stopping at a desert spring and navigating the strict monitoring and restrictions placed on our trip.