Oarzazate - The Sahara
April 1st, 2008
Well, as mentioned yesterday, we booked a tour for today and tomorrow. It wasn’t hard to do so, as everyone in Morocco seems to own a travel agency.
Naim, the “agent” we booked through, showed up as promised in the morning – although he attempted to convince us that the four of us were to squish in the back of his car – saying it was made for four people. We called him on it, and pushed to him to honor his promise of an English speaking guide, and plenty of car space for the 6 or 7 hour ride out to Merzouga / the Saharan Desert. Shortly thereafter, Idir arrived. They rented a car, and we were on our way. He proved to be trustworthy, full of humor, and an excellent guide. He drove prudently and showed endless patience with our photographs, bathroom stops and questions.
We spent the day driving east from Oarzazate to first the Todra Gorge, and then Erfoud and finally Merzouga. We arrived at the base of the Sahara in time for the red glow of dusk on the mammoth dunes. The sand was soft on our feet as we waded far out for better views of the setting sun. After the sun went down, we hopped aboard our camel caravan and rode for two hours in utter peace under the clearest of starry skies. We arrived for a late dinner in the nomadic tents of the “Oasis”. We had a typical diner of Targine – which is kind of hard to describe, but generally consists of boiled meat covered in potatoes, beans, carrots or other vegetables. In the coming days, we were to grow quite sick of this dish.
After dinner, the traditional tea ensued, and then we reconvened in the next tent over for drum music before going to sleep in the provided tents.
**Please notice the arrows underneath the thumbnails the pictures below...I know the later pictures can be easily missed!!****
Well, as mentioned yesterday, we booked a tour for today and tomorrow. It wasn’t hard to do so, as everyone in Morocco seems to own a travel agency.
Naim, the “agent” we booked through, showed up as promised in the morning – although he attempted to convince us that the four of us were to squish in the back of his car – saying it was made for four people. We called him on it, and pushed to him to honor his promise of an English speaking guide, and plenty of car space for the 6 or 7 hour ride out to Merzouga / the Saharan Desert. Shortly thereafter, Idir arrived. They rented a car, and we were on our way. He proved to be trustworthy, full of humor, and an excellent guide. He drove prudently and showed endless patience with our photographs, bathroom stops and questions.
We spent the day driving east from Oarzazate to first the Todra Gorge, and then Erfoud and finally Merzouga. We arrived at the base of the Sahara in time for the red glow of dusk on the mammoth dunes. The sand was soft on our feet as we waded far out for better views of the setting sun. After the sun went down, we hopped aboard our camel caravan and rode for two hours in utter peace under the clearest of starry skies. We arrived for a late dinner in the nomadic tents of the “Oasis”. We had a typical diner of Targine – which is kind of hard to describe, but generally consists of boiled meat covered in potatoes, beans, carrots or other vegetables. In the coming days, we were to grow quite sick of this dish.
After dinner, the traditional tea ensued, and then we reconvened in the next tent over for drum music before going to sleep in the provided tents.
**Please notice the arrows underneath the thumbnails the pictures below...I know the later pictures can be easily missed!!****
posted by Samantha Farbman at 11:03 AM
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