This trip was a dream come true for me, as I have wanted to visit Morocco since 1990, when I traveled through Europe, but was to timid in my youth to do so back then. Now, with easy entrance from Ceuta, just a short bus ride to the border, and walk over, it seemed welcoming. From the moment we got off the bus, we were greeted by very nice and very helpful people. No doubt plants, to drum up tourist business, but none the less, very cool indeed and we needed the help.After navigating the boarder, which was a very unique experience indeed- as in no signs to direct you- we were immediately introduced to our guide and whisked into a taxi, Mercedes of course. The town we were to visit was 45 minutes away from the boarder and had a traditional Medina (market place). As luck would have it, we were arriving on a day where the Berber people came down from the mountainsides to sell their wares – homegrown veggies & homemade crafts.
As we zipped along the modern and in very good shape roads, Aziz- our guide, pointed out some places of interest. One being the new president's summer palace. This was nothing what I thought Morocco was to look like, but then again, it was early in the trip. We did pass some camels on the side of the road, so that accounts for something!
Once inside the city, we were left by the taxi and continued on foot. First, we asked to go to the post office. We hope you all have received your Holiday cards by now. The stamp is the picture of the new, young, president, Mohammad the sixth. Anyhow, thank goodness for Aziz because we would have been at a totally lost there. After licking eighty some stamps, we of course needed something to drink. Right. Well for a beer, it would have to be outside of the medina, as the Arab, Muslin culture does not drink alcohol. Dup.After a cold one for Bri, and a wine for me, which is only sold in ½ bottles and never by the glass, we made our way to the medina – the heart and soul of the city.
This was exactly how I pictured Morocco. It was so cool and following our quiet, tall, guide through the maze of tiny walkways, bulging with goods and foods, it was a true treat. Of course, we were treated to the tourist act and taken to a bunch of “set up” places. That’s okay I told Brian, because there would have been no way we would have stumbled across anything as cool on our own. So we had to sit through a “hard sell” at the carpet co-op but man, it was so worth it.
Speaking of carpets, these were some of the most amazing and beautiful things around. We got the spiel on how they are made, how to tell the authenticity, the fabric, you name it. Plus, they rolled out all the carpets for us to see. What a treat since they all were one of a kind design. We even were served some delicious mint tea. The whole experience was grand. Alas, we just couldn’t afford anything! Disappointed we ventured on.
Next was the herbal / spice house. Here we could afford some items and I purchased some Cumin, and some blended oil for the face and skin. We got to touch and smell all kinds of good stuff.
Our guide Aziz in the background!
Next, we wondered around the medina, taking it all in. The food looked so good and we sampled some of the flat breads that were in abundance. We then walked by one of the 75 mosques in the medina and stopped to peer in & have a lecture. They pray five times a day. There are separate entrances for men and women. You take your shoes off before entering. Then you wash before going into prey. First you wash your hands 3 times, then your face 3 times, then your head once, and then your feet 3 times – or something like that. Aziz joked that they don’t have time to be dirty with all the washing they do. Also, in the medina are 1 Catholic Church and 4 synigogs. Oh, and he said they are welcoming to all cultures and peoples. Translation – I didn’t have to wear a head scarf.
Bri in front of one of the many Mosques
Lastly, we had to do some shopping, and of course, Aziz’s knew the spot. It was super fun looking at all the trinkets, and camel purses, and the shoes!
As it was getting late, we popped into a recommended traditional restaurant for some dinner. We had couscous of course, and it was delicious. Aziz’s fetched us a cab and we were transported back to the border in record time. As we crossed, with specific instructions on what to do, we paused to hunt down a stamp for our passports! Got one! All in all a very successful & enjoyable trip!
Their new, young president
