I'm getting ready for my next grand adventure. In less than a week I'm off to Morocco to explore the country from Casablanca to Marrakesh. From the roman ruins of Volubilis, to the souks of Fes, and tents in the Saraha, it will be a time of discovery with visits to kasbahs, medinas, mosques, oases, souks, and maybe a hamman or two. From the Atlantic Coast through the Middle Atlas, to the High Atlas and on to the Southern Oases, there will be amazing scenery, interesting people, and probably some surprises.
The trip will begin with a flight to Casablanca, via Paris. We will travel to Rabat, then Fes with stops at Volubilis and Meknes. Then we will journey through the Middle Atlas mountains on the way to Erfoud. Next we will travel by 4 x 4 vehicles to a tented camp in the sand dunes of the Sahara near Daya El Maider . After two nights in the desert we will return to civilization in the oasis town of Tineghir, then on to Ouarzazate and a stop at the Dades Gorge before reaching Marrakesh, then returning to Casablanca. But the trip does not end there, because our final post-trip excursion will be to the seaside town of Essaouira where we will have an opportuinty to learn about Argon Oil, Thuya wood, and Gnaoua music and dance.
I'm glad that I've had time to do a little pre-trip study and learn that Medina means town in Arabic, Kasbahs are fortified castles, and souks are markets. I'm looking forward to drinking lots of mint tea, eating delicious food with my fingers using only my right hand, and maybe actually learning to pronounce some of the exotic place names.
Last week, I received the final trip documents . Then I got a PHONE CALL from our group leader Abdelkader (call him Ab). He wanted to know if I had any questions about the trip. I was so surprised to receive a phone call from Tangiers that I couldn't think of a thing to ask!
Four Days and Counting
Monday, September 27, 2010
Columbia, Maryland, United States
Other Entries
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1Four Days and Counting
Sep 27Columbia, United Statesphoto_camera0videocam 0comment 2 -
2Today's Highlight was a Visit to the Supermarket
Oct 014 days laterRabat, Moroccophoto_camera3videocam 0comment 1 -
3Rabat--The First Day
Oct 025 days laterRabat, Moroccophoto_camera6videocam 0comment 2 -
4Cork forests, a synagogue, and roman ruins
Oct 036 days laterFez, Moroccophoto_camera14videocam 0comment 0 -
5Fez is a Hat, the City is Fes
Oct 047 days laterFes, Moroccophoto_camera10videocam 0comment 0 -
6From the Mountains to the Desert
Oct 058 days laterErfoud, Moroccophoto_camera9videocam 0comment 0 -
7Fossils and Camels and Sand
Oct 069 days laterSahara Desert--Merzouga and Beyond, Moroccophoto_camera10videocam 0comment 0 -
8Camping in the Desert
Oct 0710 days laterSahara Desert, Moroccophoto_camera13videocam 0comment 0 -
9Hurray for Civilization
Oct 0811 days laterTinerhir, Moroccophoto_camera5videocam 0comment 2 -
10School boys, Blue men and Henna Hands
Oct 0912 days laterTinerhir, Moroccophoto_camera11videocam 0comment 0 -
11On the Road of 1000 Kasbahs
Oct 1013 days laterOuarzazate, Moroccophoto_camera5videocam 0comment 0 -
12We were riding on the Marrakesh Express
Oct 1114 days laterMarrakech, Moroccophoto_camera6videocam 0comment 1 -
13Exploring Marrakesh--Or Saved by a Caleche
Oct 1215 days laterMarrakech, Moroccophoto_camera6videocam 0comment 1 -
14Hidden Marrakesh
Oct 1316 days laterMarrakesh, Moroccophoto_camera8videocam 0comment 0 -
15Inside the Mosque and Church
Oct 1417 days laterCasablanca, Moroccophoto_camera5videocam 0comment 0 -
16Back on the Road
Oct 1518 days laterEssaouira, Moroccophoto_camera8videocam 0comment 0 -
17Fish, a Wind Farm and Tree Climbing Goats
Oct 1619 days laterEssaouira, Moroccophoto_camera7videocam 0comment 0 -
18Everyone Loves Argon
Oct 1720 days laterEssaouira, Moroccophoto_camera8videocam 0comment 0 -
19I Really DIDN'T Want to Go to Disneyland
Oct 1922 days laterParis, Francephoto_camera2videocam 0comment 0
Comments

2025-02-08
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Marianne
2010-09-28
this really sounds like an exciting and very interesting trip; I'll be following your blog while you're gone waiting to hear the colorful stories. Think of me home here working and then swinging a hammer or much worse in New Orleans for a week. Have a great time.
Lori
2010-09-29
Sounds like a blast and a half, Aunt Mimi! So when we rock the kasbah, the walls come tum-bl-in' tum-blin'. Well, hopefully not; Sharif don't like it ;)
I'll be following your stories and sharing on the map/globe with my kiddos. Kelsey & Talon & the other 28. Don't have to tell you, I know you'll have fun!