So I haven't done too well at the whole solo traveling thing... Within 20 minutes of being in Marrakech I had found people to explore the city with and I haven't been alone since. As soon as Darren left me to travel into Spain, I got talking to some more people who are sharing the roof-top experience with me here in Chefchaouen. Now it seems that I will alter my plans again and rather than traveling up to Tangier and going across to Spain on my own tomorrow, I'll catch the night bus with them East to the Mediterranean seaside town of Al Hoseima. Again I seem to be traveling in a group of only guys, but Im pretty used to that by now. They're useful for fighting off Moroccan men anyway!
xxx
Saturday, 30 June 2012
Friday, 29 June 2012
Weather
Is it bad, that I'm relieved the weather isnt quite so hot for the next couple of days? A few weeks ago, all I could think about was sunshine...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/2553455
http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/2553455
Thursday, 28 June 2012
Fez and on to Chefchaouen
Darren and I caught the night bus up from Essaouria up to Fez the night of the day we said goodbye to everyone. I slept supprisingly well, but it was probably more due to sheer exhaurstion from the festival than comfort. Poor Darren swapped seats with e so i wasnt bashed into by locals every 5 minutes, so i dont think he had quite such an easy ride.
Fez is a huge walled city, quite imposing from the outside and a complex tangle of alleyways through the gates. It was so hot we felt like we were being blasted with a blow dryer as we walked along with dust flying in the wind and sticking on to our sweaty faces. The Medina was interesting, if a little claustrophobic, so after spending the morning getting lost there, we decided to get loose ourselves in the new town instead. We were a little delirious by this point, and i couldnt help but laugh and the man who invited us to eat in his resterant and then ran off to get a sandwhich for us. Turns out they dont serve food, im not sure where the confusion arose. The walk home was a little sketchy as we'd left it until dark and didnt entirely know where we were going, but i wrapped Darren's scarf around my head to avoid attracting extra attention and we didnt really have any trouble at all.
The next day we headed back to the station in search of a bus to Chefchaouen. Unfortunately they were all booked (or something like that, we couldnt quite understand the problem), so we caught another bus to Ouazzane. It was pretty difficult to understand what was going on when i was looking for signs saying "Wazan", but it all became clear in the end. We waited here for an hour or two, drinking inordinate amounts of water and orange juice and chatting to a ozzie circus performer called Mitch. Finally our bus arrived and we bumbled in for another couple of hours of sweaty discomfort. Chefchaouen was definitely worth the journey though. The blue tinged buildings nestled into an impressive mountain scenery are a great escape from the hassle and bustle of the bigger cities.
Darren and I trecked up into the mountains yesterday and stumbled across a Cannibis farm. The farmer was lovely actually and brought us water before introducing us to his tiny daughter! There were goats stumbling around and we found a great tree to hide away from the sun under.
Today Darren has left me to travel up into Spain, but I seem never to be alone as I'm allready making new friends here on the roof. About 20 of us are sleeping up there for 40 diram a night (around 3 pounds 30p) to save money on accommodation. I think i'll stay for a few days.
xxx
Fez is a huge walled city, quite imposing from the outside and a complex tangle of alleyways through the gates. It was so hot we felt like we were being blasted with a blow dryer as we walked along with dust flying in the wind and sticking on to our sweaty faces. The Medina was interesting, if a little claustrophobic, so after spending the morning getting lost there, we decided to get loose ourselves in the new town instead. We were a little delirious by this point, and i couldnt help but laugh and the man who invited us to eat in his resterant and then ran off to get a sandwhich for us. Turns out they dont serve food, im not sure where the confusion arose. The walk home was a little sketchy as we'd left it until dark and didnt entirely know where we were going, but i wrapped Darren's scarf around my head to avoid attracting extra attention and we didnt really have any trouble at all.
The next day we headed back to the station in search of a bus to Chefchaouen. Unfortunately they were all booked (or something like that, we couldnt quite understand the problem), so we caught another bus to Ouazzane. It was pretty difficult to understand what was going on when i was looking for signs saying "Wazan", but it all became clear in the end. We waited here for an hour or two, drinking inordinate amounts of water and orange juice and chatting to a ozzie circus performer called Mitch. Finally our bus arrived and we bumbled in for another couple of hours of sweaty discomfort. Chefchaouen was definitely worth the journey though. The blue tinged buildings nestled into an impressive mountain scenery are a great escape from the hassle and bustle of the bigger cities.
Darren and I trecked up into the mountains yesterday and stumbled across a Cannibis farm. The farmer was lovely actually and brought us water before introducing us to his tiny daughter! There were goats stumbling around and we found a great tree to hide away from the sun under.
Today Darren has left me to travel up into Spain, but I seem never to be alone as I'm allready making new friends here on the roof. About 20 of us are sleeping up there for 40 diram a night (around 3 pounds 30p) to save money on accommodation. I think i'll stay for a few days.
xxx
Photos
OK well, im having some serious trouble rotating these, and i'm too lazy to re-upload, so you're going to have to deal with tilting your heads! Here's some photos for you anyway...
Starting with Marrakech
On our way to Ourika Vally
Back into Marrakech
Gnaou Festival in Essaouria
On to Fez
Chefchaouen
Sunday, 24 June 2012
Gnaoua Festival Essaouira
The past few days, ive been experiencing the finest of Africas music in the seaside town of Essaouira. Quite a big group of us who had met in Marrakech regrouped for the festival, so ive been partying with them every night. Safety in numbers has been quite useful as the festival attracts oppertunist pick pockets and some guy attempted to rip my bag off me on the first night. Other than that ive been having a fantastic time. Some of our friends are a bit older and have been treating us to the perks of a stable income. I dont really like to accept too many drinks, but they said they they would rather have us all with them and pay for everyone. Im not complaining anyway. The Gnaoua music has been incredibly fun to dance to, with the whole croud getting involved, dancing and singing along. I wished i could have understood what they were saying, but it sounded very soulful.
The group split up this morning and Darren and I continue to Fez alone. Ill try and keep you a little more updated.
xxx
The group split up this morning and Darren and I continue to Fez alone. Ill try and keep you a little more updated.
xxx
Thursday, 21 June 2012
Marrakech
Hey everyone,
Sorry Ive been so silent for so long, im just having such a great time i dont have time to type. My days have been spent with a combination of crazy encounters, relaxing days and nights on the roof. My friend has been offered 100 camels for me, Ive climbed a mountain in flip flops and eaten all sorts of weird and wonderful food.
Today I am leaving Marrakech to go to a music festival on the beach, but i dont know how it could get any better than this.
Ill try and give you a better update when i have a chance.
xxx
Sorry Ive been so silent for so long, im just having such a great time i dont have time to type. My days have been spent with a combination of crazy encounters, relaxing days and nights on the roof. My friend has been offered 100 camels for me, Ive climbed a mountain in flip flops and eaten all sorts of weird and wonderful food.
Today I am leaving Marrakech to go to a music festival on the beach, but i dont know how it could get any better than this.
Ill try and give you a better update when i have a chance.
xxx
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