It is so amazing to be back traveling in a grungy, exotic, and vibrant country again. This is exactly what I had missed since finishing up my Asia travels last summer. Dont get me wrong, Europe is great, but Morocco has a buzz to it that you just cant get in more developed countries.
(Also, for the record, this will be a punctuationless post, cant figure it out on this keyboard)
So after a quiet last night in Paris, left early the next morning for CDG airport. Very easy to do, and customs and security went by fast. The flight itself was a bit of a pain, seated right near a very spoiled couple Moroccan kids who insisted on pouting and crying the entire time. But had the opportunity to speak to a very cute French girl seated next to me so all was good there.
Upon arriving in the airport and changing money out, went for a cab. At first, offered 20 euro for a ride to the center of the city but saw a sign saying no more than 50 dihram, which is about 6 US dollars. Of course I said bullshit in the nicest way possible, walked off, and found someone to take me for 5 euro. Ah, the joy of bargaining.
Dropped off near the center square in Marrakech and its down the rabbit hole all over again. Walked through the square amidst orange juice vendors (delicious), henna tattooists, and snake charmers into the back alleys of Marrakech to find my hostel. Despite the complicated directions, it was quite easy to find. And a fabulous hostel, exactly what I needed. Ive been feeling quite sick lately, I think a mixture of dehydration, cold, bronchitis, food poisoning, swine flu, and of course leprosy. Took a nap and later went out for a walk, ignoring the many offers for -hashish-, -good market-, and the multitude of other things. Many of the street propositioners will ask in French, then move on to English. Ive decided to become Spanish while in the streets, and while my Spanish will not fool any native Spaniard, its enough to get the salesmen off. Went back to the hostel for a bit of a nap and rest in front of the fan.
Last night, after having not eaten in about 24 hours, went out to find something to eat. The square had transformed into a labrynth of street restaurants, snake charmers, street performers, and vendors of all kinds of groovy things. Settled myself down on a table to a plate of sausages, bread, and salsa for a 1.50 american. Then went and had a big bowl of real, authentic escargot, not the French kind, but the big, juicy, see the horns on the head kind for another dollar. Finished off with a little OJ. Figured Id go rest up some more until it got cold but my nap lasted until this morning. Feeling a bit better now, gonna go find some water and see the city. My friend Anna from Cal recommended I look up this taxi driver Siad who is supposed to be hilarious so figure Ill try that out.
Much love to all, get a bit homesick at times but absolutely loving it over here. I think Im made to spend the better part of my youth in the developing world.
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