To Oarzazate
We began the day hearing the typical Muslim call to prayer, before dawn. Then we heard another moments later. Someone must have left the mic on - because we heard chirping birds for the next alf hour thereafter.
Breakfast was on the beautiful terrace atop our hotel, which afforded a fantastic view of the nearby mosque. The buffet breakfast consisted of coffee, fresh squeezed orange juice, warm temps and clear skies.
After breakfast, a cab brought us to the bus station - where we were immediately approached by a man selling tickets to Oarzazate - our destination. After verifying the price with the bus company, we boarded the hot tight bus and sat for at least half hour until we left the station. We were approached, on the bus, by countless vendors of all ages attempting to sell their tissues gum, candy and travel services.
Somewhere between 4 and 5 hours later – we arrived. We had been advised to sit on the left side of the bus – and greatly pitied anyone who hadn’t been advised similarly. The view was extraordinary! We looked down on lush green grasses, bright red mountains, and occasionally snowy peaks in the distance. There was very little during the ride that was not superb for the looking.
Getting off the bus, we hooked up with a Canadian couple about our age – Jasmine and Aaden, who had similar plans for the next few days. Together we found a hotel, (by the way – they are AT LEAST 1/3 of the price you will pay for online – so always try to book here in person!) – we also booked an overnight trip through the desert for tomorrow, and walked around and got dinner together in Oarzazate. Tomorrow we set off in a private car, touring the sites of the desert, eventually camping out under the stars – complete with cooked meal and camel ride. Yippee!
While we are eating out and booking tours, it is still cheaper here in Morocco – our dollar goes a lot farther, which brings the stress level down, and broadens the scope of activities we can do.
I am super loving being a traveler again. It has been too long. I haven’t felt this liberated and free to do what I please since long ago – well before I met Gregg. Probably since 2004 and Israel. We are truly loving the freedom we feel now – and hope to plan our future lives with this in mind.
Breakfast was on the beautiful terrace atop our hotel, which afforded a fantastic view of the nearby mosque. The buffet breakfast consisted of coffee, fresh squeezed orange juice, warm temps and clear skies.
After breakfast, a cab brought us to the bus station - where we were immediately approached by a man selling tickets to Oarzazate - our destination. After verifying the price with the bus company, we boarded the hot tight bus and sat for at least half hour until we left the station. We were approached, on the bus, by countless vendors of all ages attempting to sell their tissues gum, candy and travel services.
Somewhere between 4 and 5 hours later – we arrived. We had been advised to sit on the left side of the bus – and greatly pitied anyone who hadn’t been advised similarly. The view was extraordinary! We looked down on lush green grasses, bright red mountains, and occasionally snowy peaks in the distance. There was very little during the ride that was not superb for the looking.
Getting off the bus, we hooked up with a Canadian couple about our age – Jasmine and Aaden, who had similar plans for the next few days. Together we found a hotel, (by the way – they are AT LEAST 1/3 of the price you will pay for online – so always try to book here in person!) – we also booked an overnight trip through the desert for tomorrow, and walked around and got dinner together in Oarzazate. Tomorrow we set off in a private car, touring the sites of the desert, eventually camping out under the stars – complete with cooked meal and camel ride. Yippee!
While we are eating out and booking tours, it is still cheaper here in Morocco – our dollar goes a lot farther, which brings the stress level down, and broadens the scope of activities we can do.
I am super loving being a traveler again. It has been too long. I haven’t felt this liberated and free to do what I please since long ago – well before I met Gregg. Probably since 2004 and Israel. We are truly loving the freedom we feel now – and hope to plan our future lives with this in mind.
posted by Samantha Farbman at 8:43 AM
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