Leaving Fes. But before that, we have to settle some bills. Our laundry, which was ridiculously overpriced and by item, we got a discount on. Did they wash it by hand or something? Jeez…
Then she brought out a bill for dinner. And it was high. We thought it was included… That’s what our itinerary said anyways, so we let Abdul deal with that. We had to cover the water and tea we had though… Just get us out of here already before they charge us for something else.
On the road. Heading to the desert.
First pit stop, Ifrane, the city where the water is bottled, we stop by a ski resort. Apparently it snows enough to ski, who knew. The city is so out of place within Morocco. Abdul says it is referred to as little Switzerland. It feels like the cottage, with the clean streets, cookie cutter architecture, lush green trees and lawns.
Driving through the mountains and small towns, it’s a long long long drive. It’s been about 7 hours since we departed from our beloved Riad. Still about an hour to go and wet have yet to eat. Poor Abdul didn’t even eat dinner last night.
Desert! The freaking Sahara Desert! That took long enough, but we made it. In time for the sunset camel-back or dromedary or whatever ride. Jumped right on. The group of four was led by rope by a guide, I got on the last one, then Karen, Sameer, and Michelle at the front. It was fun! Tougher on the hills just to hold on. It was beautiful, riding while the sun was setting behind us. We spent a lot of time taking photos. These animals don’t really seem to think for themselves, or they are well trained. At one point, Sameer’s got detached from Michelle’s and the three dromedary just stopped moving. Our ride lasted a good hour and a half, enough to make our thighs sore when we dismounted.
Joining our camp, we were the last group to show up, they were all still waiting for dinner. We were too sleep in nomad tents, which are not bad at all, we have actual beds, it’s kinda crazy. Anyways, our dinner showed up soon after and it was pretty good, I enjoyed it more than Fes’. We were with a couple of small groups. 4 older people from France, a couple from Germany, and a couple from Malta. The Maltese couple was the most interesting. Trying to disconnect from the industrial world, they are in the desert for about four days to deconstruct their lives. Arriving in Morocco a couple of days ago they just continue and travel along with no set direction, a nomadic lifestyle, but they will eventually return to Malta.
It got dark fairly fast after the sun had set. Definitely not sand boarding tonight. But shortly after, the stars came out. It’s… Incredible. We tried, but our cameras were unable to capture the natural raw beauty of the heavens. It’s kind of surreal thinking about it. We’re in the Sahara desert, admiring the stars at night. This is life. After some fun by the fire, drumming, more star gazing, sleep.
Camel Ride, Camel Ride, Camel Ride, Flashlights.
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