Clementines on the corner

   ... and you know we're riding on the Marrakech Express 🎶🎶

Despite a 5am get up and wandering aimlessly through the streets of Casablanca when I ought not to be, I managed to get on the train to Marrakech. The hostel staff assured me that here is "ALWAYS" a cab to take me to the train station sitting at the round about -- regardless of the time of day. Well not today friends... not today. And when I did hail one after some walking a rather pointed discussion ensued when the cranky-assed driver tried to charge me 3 times the rate. Ahhh the twists and turns of travelling in a foreign land!!! To resolve a small arbitration was arranged with some train staff who agreed that he was over charging. A negotiation with a saw-off was the best resolution and that done -- I was on my way to Marrakech!!!

My camera-shy friend sitting contently on an pile of Clementines near our Riad would likely agree that they are absolutely delicious. Although having escaped my attention until now, these small seedless  sweet orange packages of joy are the perfect tonic to anything that ails ya!!!

And while this is a great reason to visit Marrakech there are others as well. The Medina (in the center of the city)  is a walled inner city with a magical assortment of alleyways and shops and all kinds of people working to make a living. In the center and like a jewel, Place Jamaa El Fna -- in existence since built by the Alvoramids in 1070. Monkeys dance and Falcon's perch nervously watching snake charmers sooth Cobra snakes as they sway menacingly. All the while music from odd string instruments fills the air punctuated by the rhythm of the big drums and the voices of hawkers trying to get your attention. Simply put, it's beautiful mess.

Over the Atlas Mountains

The city is cool and great but the lure for me was the Sahara desert. The snow-capped Atlas mountains beacon tempting you to come and have a look at what is on the other side.That would be the mighty Sahara desert - large enough to fit the entire USA inside it's edges ( not Canada though ) 😊

My camel, humpfree  (due to all the padding) was eager to set out on the sandy trail and lumbered with ease as I tried to get comfy on the "saddle". This is not an easy task I'll tell you. Flat is fine...uphill cool ...but downhill is a bone jolting expletive infested terror stricken event second only to getting off the bloody beast!!!

All of that said - we rode into into the night, the desert quiet cool and it's vastness overwhelming. Occasional sweet smells lingered but quickly were replaced by camel farts which are more common than a tiara on pride day.

As Mom always says - it's the people you meet and we were fortunate to meet a couple from NewYork city who were traveling out to the desert on the same tour. As engaging as they were funny, they were also completely out of thier element complaining about the lack of Mohito's at the various stops along the way. A Mohito in a country 95% Muslim is more likely than Ariana Grande leaving her social media platform.

A funny moment came when Kevin decided there was a must have trinket at a roadside stand. In confidence he shared that he really wanted that little camel and was going to get it at a good price. It was a "watch this" moment. I listened to the beginning of the negotiations as the shopkeeper started way too high. I left and waited with the others until Kevin came out proudly waving the item and smiling. "Never try bargaining with a NewYorker" he proudly exclaimed. "What did you pay" I asked? When he proudly told us the price I pointed out it was more than the orignal price the shopkeeper had asked for ...."yeah" said Kevin ... but I've seen it for way more elsewhere!!! We all laughed good naturely - and "bargain like a New Yorker" became synonymous with paying way too much. That happens when you travel - often. More on this and that fantastic hotel later. How much Barry????????????

Thanks for reading .....Layno!!!