20 hours of driving and 2 camels rides later...
Trip Start
Apr 09, 2010
1
6
10
Trip End
May 02, 2010
Marzouga, Meknès-Tafilalet, Morocco
Monday, April 19, 2010
This weekend we took a trip out the the Sahara Dessert. We left Friday after work in a van full of 12 volunteers. We hired a guide to take us there, named Hamza, and he was the greatest! We drive for five hours Friday evening, stayed the night in a hotel in Menkes. I get super carsick so Dramamine was necessary for this drive, but for the few bits of it I was awake is was stunning! We drive through the Atlas Mountains, I have never seen anything like it. The sky feels so big here. Saturday morning we got up to fresh squeezed orange juice and head out again for another five hours stopping along the way in small towns and great views. Once we arrived in the dessert we packed our backpacks and hoped on our camels. Let me tell you, camels aren't as smooth to ride on as they might seem. (or maybe it was just be that thought it would be like riding a horse?) BUT it was so amazing! The view was outstanding, the photos I've got do it no justice. We rode for about an hour and a half then the wind storm started up. We were taught how to wear turbans for this exact reason and they came in very handy. Once we got to our camps site we had delicious Moroccan dinner and ate, danced, and sang with the Berbers. The stars were so beautiful. the skies were perfectly clear, and once again, I have never seen anything like it. The next morning we woke up around 5 and camel trekked back with the sunrise. We drive for 10 hours straight that day, but Dramamine had me OUT for all but one hour of it. I was thankful that I took it though because some people got very carsick. We stopped along the way through the mountains and hung-out with some monkeys too! It was an amazing, AMAZING weekend.
I also forgot to say, the reason no one is seeing photos on here from my placements is because we are not aloud to take pictures there. I'm sorry!
Hope all is well,
larvvv SAM
Comments
wonderful weekend....and a super description...being subject to motion sickness myself I can sympathize with you completely...glad you are riding camels and making the most of your time there...lots of good memories down the line...xxoo
I'm so happy for you. I rode a camel once, and no it's not like riding a horse.
Thank you! Quite a bumpy ride it is.
The pictures are beautiful. It looks like you are having an expierience of a life time! Glad you had the dramamine, I used to get car sick all the time too.....were the roads narrow and crooked? What is the temp there are the nights cold. Do the camels kneel down so that you can get on. xxoo Dad
The roads were crooked while going through the mountains, but outside of them it was pretty straight... except people here drive like maniacs! Its been about mid seventies here, but does get pretty cold at night. The camels will kneel down, but its a rocky ride back up! Love you!
Sam-the work you are doing is amazing. You deserve to have a wonderful weekend adventure!! Hmmm, is that camel sporting a nose ring? How familiar. Love you Much.
SISTER!! This is amazing...made my day to see your update. All the colors are so vivid and the landscape looks so different in every picture. Glad you're having such an amazing experience! All my love-
just finished "House of Fez"....gave me some insight into Morocco's culture.Your photos and descriptions of the country are great. Thinking of you today as you start your return trip ....enshallah!!