Morocco – Less Mushy
It has been a whirlwind week in Morocco. I am on a group tour and it has been just too crazy with very long drives almost every day seeing more of Morocco at 80 kph than just walking. We are currently in Marrakesh where I have finally enjoyed myself. It is very touristy here, but as with most places a few minutes of walking takes you to places with only locals. I decided to skip the mountain climb scheduled for tomorrow and Monday so that I can stay in Marrakesh and enjoy the slower pace. The climb sounds like a recipe for disaster anyway since they are planning to march about half the group up to 4200 meters in two days and that should lead to some good altitude discomfort or sickness for many. If I have learned anything in the past week, I will ask for driving distance details in the future. It hasn’t been all bad especially since the group of folks is fun and I will write more over the next week. Morocco is a very strange place for me, but I do believe it is growing on me a bit. I met some genuinely friendly people today and I hope that will continue as I do more on my own rather than as a groupie.
I thought Ramadan is in November, but I have learned that it is always changing date-wise and Peggy and I will have the honor or horror (not sure yet) to be in Tunisia and Egypt during the holiday season. All I remember saying to myself is that I would never be in an Islamic country during Ramadan and thought I was smart in this leg’s scheduling. SURPRISE!!!! So now I go with the idea that there must be a good reason for the schedule. The burqa is still a bit of a shock, but I have to say seeing tourists dressed like they are at a beach resort is a lot worse. I am quite embarassed for people that have no sense of place and etiquette. Almost as bad as the European countries that have banned the burqa and other Islamic garb. America may have its stupid stuff (an Atlanta resident on the tour told me that the showing of a thong in public – you know where the thong strings are above the lowcut jeans is now illegal in that city… picture this Californian’s eyes rolling!!!), but at least it is legal for Michael Jackson to walk around in a burqa 🙂
Tags: Africa, Morocco, Travel
vagabondrick
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