Speaking of past trips, yesterday I came back from a 6 day trip to Marruecos (Morocco). Marruecos, in the north of Africa and on the western coast, is nothing like the Africa of your imagination. Very much like Egypt and the rest of the Middle East, it was many shades of brown and tan. Nevertheless, it also was very green, mountainous, cosmopolitan, suburban and so on. It seemed as if I would fall asleep and wake up and see a different country outside our windows. The trip was plenty long enough, and we drove throughout the country, but we didn't stay in any one city for long. It was analogous to the "Best of Chicago;" a taste here, a taste there, never the entire meal. Regardless, I enjoyed my first adventure to Africa.Marrakech: This was our first stop in Marruecos. Our hotel was amazing and generally well-received. We came to find out, every hotel we stayed at, save for the desert, had a pool, but none of us had any swim wear. We received an interesting tour which provided the basics of Moroccan/Islamic culture and how to handle ourselves in the city.
The main plaza of Marrakech was massive and filled to brim with locals trying to sell everything. It was an opportune time to learn how to haggle and I bought a pair of sunglasses for a fourth of a price. On our afternoon off, Katie and I went back into the plaza which turned into a marketplace for food, delicious food. Before dinner even began, we were stuffed.
Ouarzazte and the dunes of Merzougha: Thus began our all day drive to the desert. The trip was tedious but we did enjoy pretty great views of the countryside on the tight winding roads wrapped around mountains. From little villages plastered on the side of mountains in the middle of nowhere to flocks of sheep munching on a multitude of green grass. Eventually, things started getting sandy and when we made a stop in Ouarzazte (more specifically Aït Benhaddou). It was pretty cool as we had to cross a river on donkeys to get to the casbah and we learned that it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has been the location for films such as Lawrence of Arabia and more recently, Gladiator and Alexander. Our guide was rather interesting and so was our tour.After off-roading for a period of time, we made it to what seemed to be the desert (at least what we could make out in pitch black darkness). After an amazing dinner presentation, we got ourselves situated in our haimas, which were pretty much tents made of cloths and rugs. I took the opportunity to star gaze and thousands slowly appeared into view as my eyes adjusted. It was remarkable and got me thinking too deep. I woke up the next day to the roars and groans of camels. Soon enough, we were riding the beasts in order to watch the sunrise on top of the dunes. Well worth the twelve hour trek to get there, even with all the sand in my shoes.
Fez and Tanger: We were warned that Fez was an archaic city, but upon entrance, it was by far the most cosmopolitan city to be seen. The streets were wide complete with street lights, stop signs, and lines in the road. However, our scenic tour of the city validated their warning. It was very much a labyrinth of tiny roads and small buildings filled with people selling everything alive and dead. You are on the ball if you think Disney's Aladdin; of course without that whore, Jasmine. We spent our time exploring the industries of Fez including a tannery, a metal workshop, a carpet place, and a fabric shop. Our tour guide was on his game trying to improve his local economy by bringing us around to spend our money.There wasn't much to see in Tanger, it was really the airport there was important, but our hotel was on the beach and we got to see a glimpse of the city on Morocco's north coast.
Spring Break is coming soon and hopefully I'll be heading to Ireland. I'm excited as I've never been, regardless if its cold.
More Pictures at changbang.smugmug
Hasta Luego,
Chris
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