I am here

ruth_anne — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 21:28:00 GMT

Hello! Before I tell you about the first days of my trip, I must tell you that I am just completely overwhelmed by the permanent and profound thumbprint the French have left on Moroccan culture. There is strong and lingering evidence of the long French occupation in Morocco in the language, the food, the architecture and even in the daily dress. But, none is felt more accutely by me than what I believe to be the most insidious of marks left by the French....the French keyboard!!!! Grrrrrr......it is driving me mad. I cannot find a QWERTY keyboard to save my life. :)

My arrival in Marrakesh was relatively uneventful except for perhaps the pilot's desire to circle the airport for ten minutes prior to landing at an altitude more appropriate for a crop duster. People clapped upon touch down. Of all the things I pondered and wondered about while planning the trip, I didn't give much thought to vegetation. So, when I stepped off the plane to palm trees and cacti, I was mildly (but pleasantly)surprised. Between the beautiful flora and fauna and the warm but gentle breeze, the walk along the tarmac to the Arrival Hall put an immediate smile on my face. As I closed in on the entrance, I was struck by the beautiful tile mosaics lining the wall and the stucco-like facade. But wait, something seemed a little whiffy as I took my first step inside. It smelleds...well....like too many cats reside @ the airport. That couldnt possibly be it, right? Cats can't live @ the Marrakesh airport. Well, guess what? Cats live @ the airport! No kidding. A pretty but scrawny tabby cat rubbed up against my leg while I waited to clear customs. I am pretty sure the agent told me the kitty's name, but it was lost in translation.

I arrived @ sunset so was greeted by the call to prayer over the loudspeaker. (more about the call to prayer in a future story to be titled "You don't need an alarm clock in Morocco") The Number 19 bus deposited me at the Place Foucault which is located just to the West of the Djemaa El Fna, the famous square filled with snake charmers, storytellers and food stalls that serve food ranging from frsh dates to roasted sheep's head.

A hotel overlooking this nightly party was to be my home for the next few nights but I had to find it first. Finding the hotel was an odyssey. After about 20 minutes of circling the same acrobats and monkey handlers, I decided to stop for a glass of mint tea. Holy Cow! It was delicious! It looked like a mojito but it was even tastier. I have consumed 8 mint teas since I got here and expect that number to rise. But back to the hotel. I never did find my original hotel, used my guidebook to find the second but didn't feel safe and settled on one that I will not detail until after I check out.

I have so much more to report, but this darned keyboard slowed me down so much, I don't have anymore time right now. Before I go to sleep, I will stop back to updqte and perhaps even attempt to upload some pictures. Today I will wander the souks, book my bus trip to the Atlas mountains and finish touring through the rest of this interesting little city.

I'm Off! (Finally)

ruth_anne — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 18:17:00 GMT

I will leave this weekend on my trip to Morocco! Note: Syria will be later in the Fall.

After much red tape, way too many phone calls to the Syrian Embassy, a missing passport (and accompanying conspiracy theories) and enough grief from Monica to last a lifetime I am going on my dream vacation. Hooray!

Now many of you have made it abundantly clear that you don’t think I should go. I listened to the myriad reasons why, considered each thoughtfully regardless of how ridiculous (no, I do not believe I will be sold in a souq and sent to live in harem in the Far East) and decided that the risks are minimal and the potential rewards are infinite.

I offer the following story to illustrate how convinced some of you are that this trip is ill-conceived:

When one of my co-workers pressed me to have a little shin-dig prior to my departure, I agreed mostly because I never did get around to hosting a housewarming party. What I didn’t entirely understand until everyone arrived is that the real reason for the party was so they could survey my stuff (furniture, clotes, shoes, wine, etc.) and come to some agreement among the group about who will get what in the event I am kidnapped or killed. Trust me when I say that there is something super weird about turning to the newest woman in the office to inquire if she is enjoying herself only to have her ask if she can have all my framed pictures in the event of my untimely demise. Et tu, new girl?

My boss, bless his soul, didn’t ask for a thing but he can totally have all my baseball history books. He is the only person I know who would enjoy them as much as I do and quite honestly, there is nothing else to leave him. My co-workers were like vultures @ low tide. I was informed by a source close to the negotiations who is not authorized to speak on the record that my shoes and wine are still contested issues but should be resolved prior to my departure. Thank goodness…what a relief! PEOPLE, I will not be kidnapped or killed on my trip!

All joking aside, please don’t worry about me. I am about to have the time of my life meeting new people, sleeping under the stars in the Sahara, eating incredible food and doing my best to have an absolute blast. This is my idea of a good time so just wish me well and share in my excitement. Please remember that I will travel to some remote parts of Morocco where reliable internet access may be limited. While nothing would surprise me in this day and age, I just don’t anticipate that the Berber tent I will call home for one evening will be outfitted with wireless internet access. Now when I visit with the Bedouins, I absolutely expect Wi-Fi. (hehehehe) Anyway, I say all that to remind each of you that if you don’t hear from me one night your first response should not be to call the State Department. Promise?

Expect my next entry on Monday…Morocco here I come!!

I'm Going No Matter What Monica Says!

I am here

I'm Off! (Finally)