Days 25-30, Morocco: Marrakech, Ouarzazate, Zagora and UK: London (First time around)

As I am writing this, I am waiting for dinner at Nathan’s place in London. Him and his girlfriend Michelle are making a Sunday roast, a British tradition which according to Wikipedia, “dates back to when the squire would treat his serfs to a meal of roast oxen every Sunday to reward them for the week's work.” I guess Nathan’s my squire and I’m his serf.

In London, I’ve taken a break from being a tourist in London and have been just relaxing, meeting Nathan’s friends, chilling before we start on our second venture to Eastern Europe. I’ll do more touristy stuff when I return on the 26th. For now, I’ll just enjoy the Sunday roast.

Recap of the last week in Morocco:

2 Day 1 Night Tour from Marrakech: Ait Ben Haddou, Ouarzazate, Zagara (Sahara Desert)

Nathan and I arrived at Marrakech and immediately we began to scour the city, exploring the deep dark regions of the city and immersing ourselves into the city.

Not. I had a fantasy basketball draft to attend to, and Nathan had to work out his travel plans back to London. We spent the afternoon in our Ibis Hotel (a hotel chain) lobby on the computer. Real good use of our time in Morocco. At least I got Chris Paul with my first pick.

We ventured out to the city to sign up for a 2 day 1 night tour with a company named Sahara Expeditions in our plight to visit the Sahara Desert before we left. That night, we didn’t do much except visit the famous square in Marrakech, Djemma el Fna. Awesome place. We slept early because the next day we had to wake up at 6 for the tour.

Almost all of the tour was spent on a 4x4, ferociously driving out to the desert and stopping along the sites. Compared to our usual relaxed sightseeing schedule, Nathan and I felt like we were animals being directed around. Nonetheless, the sights we saw were fabulous and the desert experience despite not being what we thought it would be, unforgettable.

The beast that took us around

Our meal of beef tagine, shared with the couple that was also on our trip. Underneath the stars, in the desert, outside our tent, it was sweet.

We woke up at 6am to have breakfast.

I thought I was pretty cool holding my camera above my head and taking a picture of our camel ride out of the desert. Ait Ben Haddou, apparent where Gladiator and countless other movies were shot. I was trying to look for Russell Crowe but couldn’t find him.

Our insane driver. Almost got us killed apparently, but I was clueless-ly sleeping in the back of the 4x4.

Part of our drive. The driver was insane and drove at like 80 mph on these tall mountains.

Marrakech

There’s a reason why when people talk about Morocco they know about Marrakech. It’s a large, unique, and bustling city. The medina is a lot more modern then the one in Fes, but nonetheless it’s still a medina - meaning lots of shops and people, and the possibility of getting lost at any time. Except since Marrakech was more developed then Fes, there were now also motorcycles zooming around in addition to donkeys. Nathan and I stayed at a Riad, meaning a traditional Moroccan guest house where it has an open air courtyard in the middle and the rooms are lined up in a square. Very unique experience and the place was beautifully architecturally. Marrakech was definitely a memorable experience.

On the streets in the Medina. Donkeys, people, and the possibility of getting hit by a motorcycle at anytime.

Closeup of a street stall. Nathan didn’t want to get sick (understandable) so we didn’t eat there.

Chicken tagine - we ate tagine for like most of the meals. Nathan got sick of Moroccan food but I still liked it by the end.

This is one of the “tourist attractions”. A palace that USED to be grand. Nathan and I were unimpressed.

Pastry shop that I went to like 5 times in 3 days. They learned well from their ex-colonial rulers, the French, because it was damn good and cheap.

Notice the meat/butcher shop right next to the shoe shop. Doesn’t make sense at all.

Another pastilla, this time filled with chicken and egg.

The big square in Marrakech. Huge and lots of people.

Next Up? Berlin with Nathan and Michelle!