Morocco - Camel Trek in the Sahara!

9/10/09

Today we are in MOROCCO, more specifically CASABLANCA! It’s so weird that we are in another country already, but I am really excited. Also it should be interesting as we are entering Morocco when it is Ramadan which is a month of Holiday for the people of Morocco. They have specific guidelines and the main one is that they can eat before sunrise, and at sunset, that is it. They cannot drink or eat at any point in the middle unless you are young, very old, or traveling. So, I knew this was going to interesting experience. We were told to try and avoid consuming drinks/food in public as it would be frowned upon. I woke up really early because I was one of the first trips to depart the ship. I had to eat breakfast and packed/ready to go by 915am. Of course packing never goes well and not everything would fit in my suitcase so I had to deal with what I had. Pack lightly they tell us, HA. Anyway, we met in the Union at 930 were given our passports and told to sit in our section corresponding to our bus numbers. We then, grabbed a boxed lunch and headed for the buses. After everyone got on we were told that Lunch would be provided today on the way to Marrakesh, therefore the box lunch was a snack. Everyone was pretty excited because we did have a 4 hour bus ride ahead of us. The tour started the minute we left the port of Casablanca. The bus took us around Casablanca a little showing us the Mosque, Rick’s Café, beaches, among other sights. Side note: the tour guide told us despite popular belief Casablanca was filmed in Hollywood and not in Morocco. After this we started our ride toward Marrakesh which is the city we would be staying between Casablanca and our destination: The Sahara Desert. It was tough to stay awake and I fell asleep a few times, but it was so beautiful and so different from Spain. Along the way we stopped for lunch at a restaurant. It was situated in Marrakesh in the Souks. The Souks is like a giant marketplace and they sell everything from clothes to fresh fruits. I was a little nervous about trying the food, but of course I did. They have practically a 5 course meal. First, we got a ton of fresh made bread. It is such good bread too! Then, we got a bunch of fresh cut vegetables chopped. I tried a little of each. Then, the next came out pieces of chicken that tasted absolutely delicious. All dishes after the salad usually come out in this pot like object called a Tagine. It’s what most of their main dishes are cooked in. Next, was oranges with cinnamon sprinkled on top, of course I passed on this. Last were the pastries!!! They were soooo good. After this we had some free time to explore the Souks. It was definitely a different environment and everyone tries to get you to come to their stores, just to look. Even if you didn’t want to it was tough telling them no. And then came the torrential down pours so we got stuck in some very odd place of the market until the rain stopped. It wasn’t comforting at all, we almost walked through the rain to get away. We just stayed close together. Then, we had to meet the bus so we walked through the rain, it has lightened up a bit and headed for the bus. It began to pour again as we stood and waited for the bus, which ended up showing up late. We were soaked, cold, and tired. Finally, the bus came and we went to the hotel. It was a really nice place we had about 2 hours and then we were off to dinner and a horse show. The food at the place was very good. The first thing we had was a vegetable dish that I decided to pass on. The second was the meat dish, which was an egg on top of meat that was like ground beef. It was really good. Then, the last dish we had was couscous with lots of vegetables. For dessert it was some type of fruit I believe and I passed on that too. After that we watched a horse show which was really interesting. We headed back to the hotel and had to be at breakfast at 6am, bus leaves at 7.
PS. Interesting fact, they seem to call it Coke Light everywhere not Diet Coke.

09/11/09

Woke up and was starving for breakfast. I was afraid of what it could possibly be. TONS OF CROSSIANTS! So, that is what I ate. We boarded the bus and were starting our 8 hour drive to the Sahara Desert to start our Desert Experience. I have never seen so many mountains in my life, nor have I twisted and turned up and down around mountains so much either. It was absolutely gorgeous though, one of the mountains is the highest in Morocco. We did stop off a few times for pictures and to stretch. Other times we stopped for a bathroom break along the way. I slept pretty much most of the time. We did stop off for lunch at a restaurant along the way. The first thing we ate was another vegetable dish which I tried a little bit of. Next, was what seemed as their version of little hot dogs, burgers, chicken, and kebabs and that tasted so good. After that was a fruit soup thing that had bananas in it, so I didn’t eat that either. Lunch ended and we had another 4 hours ahead of us. We literally felt we were heading into nowhere. Around 430pm we finally arrived at our destination. The destination meaning pulling over to the side of the road and a bunch of camels and nomads lined up. We were told to get off the bus drop our  bags in a pile if you need it if not leave it on the bus. Our luggage will be transported to the nomad tents where we will be sleeping. Then, go pick a camel. So, that is what I did. I picked the first one in a line of 5 camels roped together. Oh and just want to make it clear that there was NOT a camel for everyone so some had to walk up to a certain point and switch. That was extremely depressing and tiring, but what do we expect when 170 students go on a trip like this. It was all part of the experience is the way I looked it. So about an hour and a half later we reached the site and the nomads were singing to us upon entering. We found our bags and were given tent assignments and sent to put our stuff away. I was in tent 11, how weird mom? We were given a mattress, sheets, a pillow, pillow case, and a blanket. All of which were covered with sand and smelled like camel. Thank god I brought my travel sheet and pillow case for these types of occasions. Everyone was extremely jealous of me, and I couldn’t have been happier. We had about 2 hours until dinner because the nomads had to eat when the sun went down because of Ramadan so we waited to eat after they did. We watched the sunset and it was gorgeous I have some really good pictures too. After that the water, beer, and wine came out. I decided to try the beer which is my goal in every country. It was good, but would have been better if it wasn’t warm. Then, the Nomads sang and danced for us just prior to dinner. We were all seated for dinner and out came the bread. I have pictures of the women making it fresh over a fire. It was delicious. We were given some sort of vegetable and meat dish that was so good. We usually don’t finish the whole Tagine. This, time we did and we definitely wanted more. But we didn’t get any, instead was fruit. Well, everyone said it tasted so good and I should try it so I did. Unfortunately I did not get the name of it so I have no idea what I ate. It was so good, I think I had more than one piece too. Then, was dancing and singing and joining hands in circles. It was fun for a few hours. They also spelt out Semester At Sea in fire on the top of the hill it was awesome. They were very nice people and welcomed us to their home. Then, I got something in my eye was annoyed and went to bed. Apparently I didn’t miss out on much except that some people’s beds had giant beetles in it so they dragged their mattresses outside and slept under the stars. I was a lucky one and did not have the beetle problem.

God Bless The USA – 9/11/01 Never Forgotten.
- We did have a moment of silence at lunch today around 915am EST.

 

09/12/09

Breakfast again was at 6am so I woke up just a little before and went to the top of the hill to watch the sunrise. It was awesome and I am glad I made my way up there. I have tons of pictures of it too. Then, I went and got all my stuff together and was in search of a camel for the trek back to the bus. I found a nice one and got on. Eventually reached the bus and got on for another 8hr drive back to Marrakesh to spend another night in the hotel. We did stop for lunch again and it was vegetables to start. I skipped that and ate the next course which was prunes with some type of meat. I ate the meat it was really good, we think it was lamb. Then of course there was another type of fruit which I loved too. I had two pieces of it, and don’t know the name. Hopefully I will be able to figure it out when I get home. Then, they had mint tea. The first time I tried this I didn’t like it so this time I had a little bit more. I got some really cool pictures that this restaurant overlooks these homes. They were in two movies and one of which was the Gladiator.  Then, another 4 hours until we reached Marrakesh. We did stop at a store in Marrakesh and yes mom I found salt and pepper shakers. As they are completely different in Morocco they are more like little Tagines that are connected. We finally made it back to the hotel and were dying for a shower. We met around 8pm and were in search of a restaurant. Since it was late a lot of places were closed. We went to a place called the Yellow Sub. As in the Yellow Submarine. The entire place was dedicated to The Beatles. I enjoyed a beer that was called Casablanca and had Gnocchi for dinner. Excellent choice. Went back to the hotel and went to bed to be up and ready to go to the Souks.

09/13/09

 Breakfast wasn’t nearly as early as it has been so we could sleep in a little bit. We ate at 9:00am and I had probably 7 croissants because I was so hungry. We boarded the buses for the Souks, which is the market again for some last minute shopping. I got a few things such as a Marrakesh t-shirt and a shot glass. We went back to the hotel picked up the remaining kids and were en route for Casablanca! We got back here around 430pm relaxed until dinner and then ate the biggest meal of my life. We got ready and went to tour the city. We entered the market and my friend wanted to buy a magic box. So, we talked to this young kid who was 20 for a long time he spoke good English. After, he asked us to get some mint tea with him. We went and talked with him for about an hour, and it was awesome. Probably one of my top experiences on this trip so far. I learned a lot about their culture and what he liked to do when he wasn’t working or in school. We went back to the ship stayed up for a bit then went to bed.

09/14/09

Today, we went to the I Love Hip Hop In Morocco FDP so that we could hear the one woman in the video we watched on Wednesday talk about her involvement in the Hip Hop industry. It was actually really exciting and interesting. I am so happy that I signed up for it because I know a lot of people were regretting that they didn’t. After that ended we went and got lunch and decided to head out to the market again. My friend wanted to buy a scarf and a Moroccan hand. I wanted to buy a miniature camel figurine. We both found what we wanted. Moroccans are so helpful in helping you negotiate prices and will take you where you will find what you need. This man took us all over until my friend got everything she needed. It was awesome. After that we went and found some postcards and were in search of the post office. It was nowhere to be found and then we asked some people that were from SAS where to get stamps and directly behind us was a store that sold them. Finally, we found them. Then, I bought a few sodas with what I had left and headed back to the ship. I didn’t realize that I couldn’t board with twist off caps so I sat outside and drank 2 out of the 7 sodas that I bought and then threw out the rest. It wasn’t bad I only spent under 5 US dollars on it. I just wanted to get rid of the rest of my change. Now, I am exhausted and am going to relax for the rest of the night. I have classes for a week before reaching Ghana on the 22^nd of September. Sorry for the long update but, I am sure most of you want to know what I’m doing. Thanks again for keeping up with my Blog!