Ait-ben-Haddou & Marrakech

Somewhere in the Atlas

The last few days in Morocco seemed like a dream. At the same time as though we'd just gotten there, and we'd been there for a month. I was exhausted and profoundly sad to see the time coming to an end. Upon our return from the desert, we embarked on a two day bus-heavy journey. Each day spending about 6 hours in the bus with plenty of stops in between.

Not much happened. Jokes, sleep, car sickness, silence on the bus. A few overpriced orange juices from the only café for 100km. Gorgeous countryside that turned back into lush, colorful hills. We stopped for the night in Ait-ben-Haddou. A city that neighbors the Hollywood of Morocco. And where any 'desert' or 'Arabic' scene in a movie is shot (even some Game of Thrones...).

We crossed the High Atlas, the mountain range that runs through the middle of the country, on our way to Marrakech.

Orange juice carts that line the plaza

We hit Marrakech in the morning, and I have to say I was pretty disappointed by it. Coming from such an isolated place, I was not exactly a fan of the mass of people and overwhelming amount of tourists. I guess it was good that we ended on a less exciting city. I think if maybe I'd had more time there, or a better grasp of where I was while in the medina, I would have enjoyed it more.

We only really had an afternoon to explore on our own. I left with three friends and we got thoroughly lost. When we eventually got back and later joined our whole group for dinner, I got a glimpse of what's special about Marrakech. At night the main plaza, Djemma el-Fna, turned into a buzzing center lit by a thousand lightbulbs.

Dinner time

We ate dinner outside in the square. Served family style on a long table by a meat cart. A mix of everything to share. And it was tasty. A nice way to spend our last evening together. After dinner we strolled around in small clusters listening to the groups of musicians and the story tellers that grabbed the attention of massive crowds.

I don't think I even begin to do justice to Morocco. I wish I had the words in me to more effectively share my experience there. The people, the language, the colors, the attitude, the smells, the tastes, the sun and the words. It's there that I discovered how beautiful Arabic is, both spoken and written, and I think I've found my next language to study. I know this won't be the last time I see Morocco. Besslama le Maroc, inch'allah.