Morocco!!!!!!!!!!!

To love Morocco is to love all the good and all the bad that comes with it.

I will start by saying that we were supposed to be in Morocco for 4 days but our days got cut short to 3 because the ship couldn't refuel on time due to rough weather. We got to Morocco late at night and couldn't get off the ship till the morning...what a tease! We arrived in Casablanca, Morocco and I will tell you that their port is nothing pretty. It is very industrial and kind of scary at night and a bit scary in the day time as well.lol Casablanca is the largest city in Morocco with 6 million people. It's streets are filled with people, large buildings and somewhat dirty streets. To me the modern buildings felt cold and not at all what you would expect to see as soon as you land in Morocco for the very first time. So first impression of Morocco was not the cultural, ancient Morocco I had in mind. Nonetheless it was Morocco and I kept repeating to myself and to others during the trip: "We are in Africa, We are in Morocco!" It was something I did as to pinch myself and come back to the amazing reality that I was stepping on African soil, Moroccan soil after all these years wishing to travel there.
Right away I boarded my Semester At Sea tour from Casablanca and started out on a very long drive...7 hours or so to be more detailed. We drove through Casablanca, passing mass amounts of what seemed to be vacant land, which weren't, I saw the greenest grass I've ever seen, beautiful mountains, sheeps and cows feasting on the grass and close behind the sheep herders. It was beautiful to see the land being taken cared off like you would probably see hundreds of years ago. Reading or not reading the road signs was an experience. The road signs are usually in Arabic and in French. One road sign was just an exclamation mark!LOL I wonder what that ment!LOL While going through Marrakech is when I truly felt like "Wow, this is Morocco". Marrakech is charming in its own way. It's streets filled with people wearing traditional Moroccan clothes; women covered up (though some not as much as you would have expected), men in traditional long coats to keep warm. By the way Morocco is a cold place. One of our guides said: "Morocco is a cold country with a very hot sun". Very well put because if you're in the shade it is cold and if you're in the sun it is hot! So back to Marrakech...the streets tend to not always be paved thus there are dirt roads that with the rain turn to mud but its not something you wory about too much and somehow some people manage to keep themselves pretty clean. The streets are busy and the drivers are loud and crazy and tend to create their own lanes...most on our bus were scared, I was entertained and would just laugh and smile at the comotion...I loved it! Excitement at every corner! ;) There are free-roaming animals in the streets of Marrakech. I saw dogs, cats...and donkeys! ;) Donkeys just roaming the streets free with no owners. They would literally be in the middle of the streets walking as cars will just be driving by, not surprised or in awe of the situation and the donkey would just almost look like he new the traffic rules...or lack of...very interesting. We passed Marrakech (we would return the next day) and continued on our journey towards the High Atlas Mountains!!! Yes, I was there!!! The same ones you study in school, I felt, I touched, I saw, I breathed in its cold air, I bathed in its beauty! We drove on a narrow lane and sig-sagged our way towards the top where once silver sprinkled mountain tops were now full blown white tons of snow filled mountains. At one point we even had a small snow ball fight! ;) Eventually we arrived at our destination, originally it was supposed to be a longer drive to the deep Sahara dessert but due to our delay the trip was cut short and the camel trek that was also planned was voided. Sooo, we drove to the beginning of the Sahara desert to meet the Berber Nomads that would be welcoming us and setting up a camp for us that night. We went off-road to get to our destination and by the time we got there it was very dark but I could not have imagined what a treat I was in for!
When we arrived and walked towards our camp I was completely amazed...the Nomads had already set everything up for us and it was quite beautiful. The sand was covered by Persian carpets and the tents were all set up around the living space, there were about 10 tents or so...6 people to a tent. Each tent was made of strong, thick, rug-like material in a colorful design and had a small matress, pillow, sheets and blankets per person. It was amazing...oh and we had the option to purchase a sleeping bag for $5 too...I did. They also had another big tent that had iron tables and chairs, there we had our delicious diner. We had appetizers soup and bread, main meal meat with veggies that are perfectly cooked and dessert, which its usually fresh fruit in Morocco and very often oranges...the sweetest oranges ever. We were also welcomed with mint tea...once again, the best mint tea I've ever had with just the right amount of honey!!!! Yummmm!!!! Amazing! After dinner they started a bomb-fire and the unimaginable....a dj came out and started to set up his music stand!!!! Can you believe it!!!lol He played from Traditional Moroccan music to pop, reggae, hip-hop, everything!!!! It was amazing!!! Everyone, men, women, Berber, America, young and old were jumping and dancing the night away with Nomads in the dessert underneath the stars...it doesn't get any better than that!!! I couldn't believe it! The energy was electrifying and smiles and laughter ruled the night. It was the perfect symphony and I was just blessed to be there! That night I had deep conversations with the Berber men, we spoke about the economy, politics, Moroccan laws (pertaining to women, etc.), religion...It was exhilirating! We also met some local Berber people who made camels out of little tree leaves and gave them away to us for free as a token of their affection. The guy that made mine was Abdul, who was young and would be going to Philadelphia to study English Literature soon. The other Berber men that were our guides were also very educated...one even went to school for Law and became a lawyer. It was a cold night but the dancing kept us warm and I slept well and woke up to the sounds of birds chirping. In the morning we were able to see our sorroundings...we were next to beautiful rock mountains and palm trees, the air was chilly but I was energized and felt so alive. We had a breakfast that consisted of mint tea, bread, butter, honey and boiled eggs...it was good too...love bread with honey now. ;)

I left the camp that day and those whom I met and connected with...I felt sad being ripped apart from people that I just met that I would like to continue to get to know. It was a sad feeling but I felt happy to have experienced the inmense energy we created that night! Definitely one of the best experiences of my life! I miss them already!

That day we drove to Marrakech and settled in to our hotel. I roamed the markets that afternoon...oh those markets!!!LOL I have shopped in markets before...but non like these! Here most of the vendors are men and they are quite aggresive. One, even cursed me out at one point because I was telling a friend not to purchase a scarf that was being sold to her completely over priced. I turned to him, told him not to talk to me like that and walked away. The first hour or so was hard and over whelming...I didn't even buy anything but once you get the hang of it you're ok. The famous Djemaa el Fna square in Marrakech was amazing, although I didn't get to see it at night because we had diner reservations away from the square and I hear that at night is when it gets really crazy and good. I did however see snake charmers and some dancers. Crazy! ;) One thing I was also looking forward too was hearing the prayer calls from the nearby Mosque, which I did...it was amazing and you could truly feel that you were in a Muslim country...such a beautiful one! That night we had diner at Chez Ali which its seriously a recreation of Aladin!!! ;) The place looks like a palace and you are welcomed by men on horses and a man on top of a balcony playing a Moroccan flute like instrument to the tunes of Moroccan music, then you walk inside and see about 10 different tribes performing their music for you, you see camels, horses, just everything. Once you enter the tent where your meal is served these tribes pass by and perform for you...just amazing. I got to get on top of a camel but just for a minute and took a picture. They then put on a show for you in the center where there is a huge space. They dance, sing, belly dance, horse race, tricks and...well...a great show! That night a group of us went out to a club which was interesting because it was a local club and the women were half naked!!!

I guess that like many countries Morocco yes it is a Muslim country and Islam is a huge influence in the daily lives of the people but people do also choose to practice it or not...like people in the US just because you don't practice the rituals of Christianity lets say doesn't mean that you are a non-believer or a non-Christian. This I'm sure is different in more strict countries like Iran for example.

Overall I made great friends in Morocco, amazing connections with the people and the culture...I can definitely see myself going back to Morocco. I also got a few marriage proposals! ;) haha It was fun and I missed Morocco before I even got back on the ship! ;( One day I'll return.

Now I'm on the ship and it's back to class...how hard is it to come back and get all organized again for school!!! But you do what you have to do! ;) In a few days we will arrive in Namibia!!!! ;) I'm so excited!

Hope all is well in your world! Miss you, love you!

Peace and Light,

Yai

PS: I didn't proof read this post (no time) so I apologize for misspelled words! ;)