"Sanctuary is the desert city of priests," the former priestess said.

The project (www.springspreserve.org) is in an area filled with underground springs that helped give rise to, and later sustain, the desert city.

In addition, the government protects the mostly European tourists who still venture across the country to view its spectacular desert cities.

In the early 1990s, luxury developers and retailers believed the desert city would be the next retail destination.

It is a desert city with lots of date and citrus trees.

They had veered for a side trip to an ancient desert city.

The last 50 years haven't done anything except increase the size of the desert cities and their greed for water.

My visit took place in November, when the temperatures are pleasant in this desert city.

It could not be characterized as a hilltop fortress, or even a desert city.