Chefprefers BLOG

It all seems like a blur when I think back to the European trip. It first started as we arrived in Brussels from Istanbul exploring the streets via the hop-on and hop-off tours then travelling via train to Paris to meet up with my sister’s family then down to Provence to shack up in a farmhouse for a week. Catching the train to Barcelona, Madrid and getting on an intrepid tour of Spain, Portugal and Morocco. It is now for the second part of our trip, North America. Our Swiss Airways flight to Ottawa was cancelled initially when we were travelling through Provence and my wife in her magic, arranged for a flight out of Morocco two days earlier using the same airline. We were going to miss two prearranged days in Marrakech because of the available flight. Our intrepid tour finished on our arrival and we had planned to stay another two days. Most of the group were continuing on the southern Morocco intrepid tour which was starting the next day. They had to change hotels which nobody knew about so the whole ordeal was a cluster f*ck. The confusion was because of the Moroccan earthquakes which happened four weeks prior, so the company had to arrange tour alternatives around the affected areas. Morton was surprisingly calm as though he had heard it all before. Morton was known for reporting his terrible night’s sleep to the group due to the noisy streets, the AC wasn’t working or the bed was too hard. Oh, the perils of travelling.

Our intrepid trip was done and we were off to the airport so we didn’t care much. Although before I continue, I want to refer to four Moroccan experiences.

First as indicated, Morocco wasn’t on my bucket list and since it was included in the Intrepid tour, Why not! We were mainly visiting the major tourist area so we didn’t really get a feel for the country and the people, perhaps our next African intrepid trip will include the southern Moroccan tour which is more remote. In my posts, I wanted to verify my previous comments. I kept referring to the desperate people on the tourist streets asking for money and some I’ve called “Money dogs”. It’s a term I made up. There are beggars and there are money dogs. Beggars I see as misfortunate people; missing a limb, blind, or have something that impedes them from earning money and there are money dogs, able men and boys. At some stage in their life, they’ve put out their hand looking pathetic and someone has provided. Easy money. Like a dog on a markets street savaging for food. It’s the path they’ve chosen so it’s the name they get. Opposite to that, the person beside them tries to sell you something, that’s working money.

Secondly, Morocco appeared to be 20 years behind, and even further when I saw a horse dragging a plow and shepherds tending to goats. In the country I saw a woman manually slapping her washing against the brick wall in the local bathes and the local farmers trying to sell their produce from a bag in a laneway. Cash was mostly used and it was rare to pull out your phone for Apple Pay or even a credit card.

Thirdly, there were many old men and women sitting around doing nothing. I guess in my country, we would always be doing something looking at our phones, reading a book, paper or magazine. Talking to our colleagues, what ever?

Walking along the streets in Marrakech, I also noticed there were men-only cafe bars with chairs positioned outside pointed towards the street. They were sitting facing the street with an expresso on the table, not alcohol because it was against their local faith, and perhaps a glass of water. When they finished, they would sink the coffee and leave. I guess it’s their way of going to the pub for a drink.

And finally, I’ve been pretty hard on Morocco and what to expect. All the people I met and talked to were extremely nice and pleasant. Very helpful and after reducing all the layers of living, I would anticipate that their culture is better than mine. Very community-orientated and they look after themselves. ie the taxi drivers never once complained about their fellow commuters, all understanding and empathising with each other on the chaotic roads. Their dedication to their faith practicing it multiple times a day. It was liberating and inspiring.

Next up, reveal a secret.