Morocco Part 1

After the decadence and luxury of Paris it was time to change direction entirely! So then - Morocco happened! Correction - is still happening. And may continue happening for longer than I first thought. I am already starting to dread the thought of leaving..

I was lucky enough to spend the first 4 days with two of my beautiful friends that I met earlier this year on an Intrepid tour of Turkey. Issy travelled to Morocco with me and Anais lives here in Marrakech. If you were to look up the definition of ‘hostest with the mostest’ in the dictionary (it’s in there right?) there would be a full page photo of this girl! Anais quickly introduced as to a completely different world. One where time is entirely flexible (Moroccan time - it’s a thing!). Where snakes, monkeys and acrobats are scattered amongst throngs of people, food and lanterns in Jemaa el Fna (the main square). Where crossing the road is a sport and actually so is eating! We learned to eat dishes communally (tagine and tangier ) and with our hands and consume camel burgers while listening to Ancient stories told in both arabic and English. To drink juices made from avocado dates and argan oil. And to avoid eye contact with men that make appreciative ‘clicking’ sounds as you pass! We saw the Bahia Palais and the Ben Yousseff Madrasa - a wonderful old Koranic University and spent the most magical day with two beautiful little girls - friends of Anais. Between us there was very little commonality in language - but we made up for that in spirit an had the most amazing ‘girls day out’ I’ve had in a very long time. Those first few days were crazy and unnerving and amazing all at once.

Far too soon it was time for Issy and I to say goodbye to Anais and join what was to become our new Intrepid “family” for the next 8 days. Our group was a fabulous mix of Amercians, Canadians, one Belgian and one Aussie (plus us). Almost all had already completed a tour of the North so were well versed in Moroccan culture. They quickly filled us in on a few of their key experiences such as eating an entire lamb earlier that day!

Over the next 8 days, our incredibly knowledgable and fun local leader showed us an entirely different side of Morocco. We started in the High Atlas mountains where we stayed in a gite (a mountain home) where we trekked through the stunning autumn landscape and drank Moroccan tea around the fireplace while discussing the colourful tapestry that is the history of Morocco! It was also here we started what was to become an incredibly competitive ritual of nightly card playing. (it’s a talent that is under construction for me…)

We went on to the Unesco Heritage listed Ait Benhaddou (where Gladiator and episodes of Game of Thrones were filmed!) then on through Morocco’s ‘Hollywood’ Ourrzazate to the Zagora where we stayed in a ‘palmerie’ town filled with amazing trees that produce all different types of delicious dates.

From here after a stop where much willpower was required (the food wouldn't even have to taste good if presented on this crockery!) we travelled into the Sahara Desert. No really.. I can say it again.. we travelled into the Sahara Desert! After a quick hour in M’Hamid just chilling out on some camels (Mine was called Jimi Hendrix. Okay that’s a lie - but my camel driver said I could call him Jimi Hendrix - so there..) we loaded into 4WDs and took a rocky journey towards the dunes. The ride was incredibly bumpy but the landscape changed constantly and when we arrived at our camp (no so far from the Algerian boarder.. but you know.. that’s how we role.. ) it was definitely worth it! We got there just in time to climb the dunes and watch the sunset. One word - unforgettable.

We stayed at the campsite overnight. It was incredibly comfortable - almost ‘glamping’. When night fell and dinner was over we went outside to look at the stars. There were so many of them they practically lit up the sky and they were brighter and seemed closer than anywhere else on earth.

It was a long way to go from the Sahara to our next location. Not too much to say about the next day and a half which was pretty much spent travelling (although we saw goats in trees and accommodation was a converted Palace - kind of cool!) - and then we arrived at our final destination - the ‘Byron Bay’ of Morocco - Essaouira.

Okay I’m just kidding but Essaouira does have a kind of laid back hippy feel about it. It’s a beachside village abundant with art, jewellery and woodwork. There is a huge fish market that I found both disgusting and fascinating. (have I mentioned that we do hygiene differently here in Morocco?!) Over the next couple of days we enjoyed drinks over looking the water, wandered through the markets, ate goat tagine and experienced a whole new type of nightlife that managed to instigate conversation that lasted all the way back to Marrakech!

And sadly, yet another awesome Intrepid Tour had come to an end. I had to say goodbye to my beautiful partner in crime as well as many other new friends. But as, mentioned my Moroccan journey continues. I was destined to start my volunteering program in Rabat. But more on that next time..