Mint leaves and olive trees

 

The brawl of the barter and triumph in the trade

Searching for gems, the only honest crave

In between alleys buzzing with scooters

Swerving the peoples, hustling like looters

 

Crafty leather, a most distinguished scent

Local delicacies rousing, how can one neglect

The authenticity and atmosphere of market Marrakech,

Though Bursting and striving, still longing to express

The rainbow within that will not show in part

An honest expression of only a colorful heart.

 

Fes: A game of shadows. 

 

Veltie has done it again. This time 'round, there is more to it than the classic 'Veltie photo bomb'. He has put Fes into words - like he does with basically everything - in a way that is most appropriate and fitting. His words, "don't judge a book by it's cover". Very cliche' but yet very like Veltie. FYI, Veltie is also Stian, a lion of a team member. 

 

It was a blissful 8 hour bus trip from Marrakech to Fes. Willem and I watched Sherlock Holmes: A game of shadows, on the bus, which proved pretty prophetic of what was to come. Upon arrival in Fes, we were most stunned by the reception we received. The interception, having set foot off the bus, was so swift we hardly had any time to think twice about it. Within minutes, our 'hostel host' had the 10 of us divided into 3 separate taxis heading straight to his home/hotel. It was brisk and seemingly convincing. 'However', a lingering thought marked each of our faces, 'Is this organized stay all that it is playing out to be?' 

 

It was an impressive hotel, too impressive for our grossly low budget - we knew this well. The communication reached its pinnacle as Veltie reassured the agreements that were dealt with via email. Overhearing the negotiations go down, our suspicions only grew as too whether this was all legit. Deliberately and regularly, the 3 men communicated in Arabic so as to cut us off and confer amongst themselves. If anything, we would walk away content having been soothed with a free cup of mint tea. 

 

We asked for wifi, but they wouldn't grant us access until the deal was made. And so, behind enemy lines, we simply obliged having reached agreement to sleep all 10 in one of the hotel rooms - nothing out of the ordinary. Thus situating ourselves and settling in for the night. 

 

Early the next morning, Kappie's voiced reverberated within our room, 'these guys are criminals, we are leaving; Mafia, we have been scammed', that's all anyone really heard. It occurred after being granted access to the wifi, as only a legit hotel could permit, that Veltie received messages from the real Mustapha, the man originally communicated with for our stay. During the late hours of the night, Veltie solved the mystery, exposing the mini 'mafia' in the morning as we left. The money spent for that evening was reimbursed, and our short time in Fes was salvaged.

 

The original hostel, Rocco Riad, was a piece of heaven considering what we had just experienced. It was welcoming as we received a grande' Moroccan breakfast on arrival. Bread, pizza roti, cake and more mint tea. It was amazing, and comfortable. For the first time this year we had our own rooms, boys and girls that is, and wow - what amazing showers. 

 

Although our first encounter to Fes was off-putting and uneasy, we gained much in the form of exposure. Fes is known for the +/- 9600 streets that it has within it's walls. The Medina life is a lively one and we basked in it for the 2 remainder days we had there. Definitely one for the books, and also not a book to be judged on first impression - as it was in our case.

 

Chevchouan.

 

Wow. A more tranquil place would be difficult to find. And greatly needed considering the gritty travel it took in getting there and also the +/- 2km hike up to the camping spot in the late hours of the night. Also taking into consideration the journey we have been on for some 40 days already, it sure felt like a holiday. You don't realize how in need you are of rest until you truly have time for it. We slept like kings and queens that first night, in the solitude of our tents. With nothing on the agenda for 3 days, it was the perfect peace. 

 

The blue city is beautiful. Something like a 'blou' Paarl, for those of you who have been there. It is mountainous, and sure feeds an adventurous soul. And so, to add to the rest we were currently dwelling in, we looked to the mountains as the source of our renewal, as the source of our strength. 

 

Vying for a night under the stars, Willem and I packed for the occasion with the intention to reach a well-known waterfall the following morning. It sure was refreshing. We didn't reach the waterfall, but the desire within was well quenched. Like hobbits over the mountains and through the valleys we missioned, finding much worth in the rural settlements only the rundown natives would know. What a privilege. 

 

Furthermore, there's isn't much else to be said. In a land flowing with olives, it sure did add flavour to our tight-budgeted meals. And concerning 'bederfies' or treats, there proved to be no greater than the famous avo juice - very popular in Morocco and also within Team Explore Africa. 

 

That's it from Morocco. We recently boarded the ferry crossing the Gibraltar Strait from Tangier over into Spain. "And so we beat on, boats against the current ... (figuratively and literally)" ~ F. Scott Fitzgerald.