Simply to allow you to know–I’ve not too long ago fallen in love with a sizzling, soiled, stunning mistress who goes by the identify of Morocco. Stepping off of the Explorer, the very first thing that involves thoughts is: The place the hell am I? The port of Casablanca is closely industrialized and very busy. Large cranes fill the skyline whereas a thick mud swirls continuously via the air. The port is so giant that we now have to take shuttles to succeed in the doorway of the town. As soon as there, I used to be thrust into a busy mayhem of vehicles and mopeds zipping each which-way. Site visitors legal guidelines are extra of a suggestion in Morocco. Stoplights and lanes are there for what seems to be solely present. I am nonetheless undecided which aspect of the street one is meant to drive on. The sound of honking is sort of deafening because it echoes off of the quite a few skyscrapers that line the streets of the town.

We had been all very excited to find this new place. Our pre-port warned us in regards to the conservative customs which are anticipated in an Islamic nation. Ladies had been to put on lengthy pants and canopy their shoulders always whereas males had been instructed to keep away from shorts and sleeveless shirts. None of it appeared concrete till I noticed a whole lot of ladies strolling round with nothing however their eyes displaying (in 98 diploma warmth and 100% humidity). Every part about this place appeared international. For the primary hour it was overwhelming. I discovered it laborious to breathe–something that I’m now certain was purely psychological 3 days tour from Marrakech to Merzouga.

Our first vacation spot was to be the Medina. That is the outdated part of the town which homes a maze of alleyways lined with retailers and shanties that stretches for miles. Upon arrival we had been inundated with shopkeepers attempting to promote us rugs, scarves, garments, sun shades, watches, CDs, and hash. We wandered round for hours, bargaining and shopping for. We had been misplaced however didn’t care. I used to be having an excessive amount of enjoyable to care. Immediately a little bit lady not more than 6 years outdated ran as much as me and began to kiss my palms and arms. She was placing her hand as much as her mouth and muttering in damaged English: “hungry monsieur…want cash.” By this time I had spent quite a bit, however I discovered it not possible to not place just a few cash in her hand. As she scampered off I spotted that even when I had given her all the cash in my pocket it could not have made a distinction. There are hundreds of thousands of youngsters like her simply in Casa alone. Bearing witness to such poverty and realizing that there was nothing that I might personally do about it was a profound expertise. It hit me like a ton of bricks. For the primary time on this Voyage, I felt actually misplaced. When every part you suppose you already know about your self and your home on this world modifications instantly–well, it leaves your head spinning.

However sufficient about my emotions. The subsequent day I traveled to Marrakesh. There I discovered a good bigger medina crammed with spices, meals carts, snake charmers, and orange juice stands. In case you are searching for the perfect orange juice on the planet, that is the place to seek out it. Talking of snake charmers, I nearly died twice within the stunning metropolis of Marrakesh. As soon as was crossing the road. I am going to skip the main points however let’s simply say a Mercedes slammed on its brakes, I dove out of the way in which, and I am nonetheless alive. My second brush with dying occurred whereas I used to be making an attempt to take an image of my pal Sarah. She had a snake round her shoulders and I leaned in to snap the pic. What I didn’t notice is that I used to be leaning over a carpet that was dwelling to a big black king cobra. The factor noticed me, raised itself up, and reared back–ready to strike. The person who owned the snakes needed to bodily transfer me out of the way in which and sit me down a protected distance from the cobra. I took me just a few hours to comprehend how shut I used to be to having a extremely dangerous time. Apart from that, Marrakesh was a spot that I like to recommend everybody see at the least as soon as of their lifetime.

The remainder of my time was spent touring by bus via the Excessive Atlas mountains and into the northern Sahara desert. There I watched essentially the most unbelievable sundown I’ve ever seen from atop a dune earlier than settling into camp with a tribe of “nomads”. I put that in quotations as a result of I am not fully satisfied that they had been precise nomads. The entire thing felt touristy and cheap–but hey, we had fun and the beer was chilly (one thing that’s laborious to come back by in Morocco–alcohol that’s). That night time I slept underneath the celebrities and awoke at dawn to trip camels earlier than enduring the eleven hour bus trip again to Marrakesh.

Evidently my time in Morocco was each unbelievable and life-changing. Viewing America via the eyes of Islam has each its challenges and rewards. Some youngsters would stroll previous and snort–their manner of calling us American pigs. A few of my associates had been threatened to be stabbed and one younger woman even took a loogy to the face from an outdated Moroccan dude. However for essentially the most half, the folks of Morocco had been nothing however good. Their hospitality was in contrast to something I’ve ever experienced–and the meals: ridiculously good. One of the best ways to place it’s that they aren’t in favor of the US’s international coverage, however they love the American folks.

Morocco was, in a phrase, totally different. Everybody screams at you in Arabic, the one locations to drink are costly lodge bars, no one can break change for 200 Durhams, and the Name to Prayer will come blazing into your lodge window at 4 within the morning (after the primary few occasions its extra comforting than annoying). I cherished every part in regards to the nation and will certainly be returning someday in my life. Whereas Spain was like a trip, Morocco was extra of an expertise. Positive, there are fancy resorts the place you may spend all day laying by the pool sipping on pina coladas, however doing so could be against the law in opposition to your self. I hope in the future you all have the chance to lose yourselves in a Moroccan medina.

I am at the moment making the left flip in the direction of Ghana–following alongside the coast of the African continent. My solely plan is to go away the nation with a conventional African drum. Apart from that, I am going to go the place the wind takes me. I completely promise to trace down an web cafe and add my photos and movies. You don’t have any concept what number of occasions I’ve tried solely to have the add fail after an hour of ready. I am going to let you understand how issues go and I swear to keep away from any life-or-death conditions this time. Till then, hold it elegant America.