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Published: February 13th 2012
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journey is like marriage. The certain way to be wrong is to think you control it. (John Steinbeck) I take a deep breath. The road beckons us on. The sensible thing to do is to retrace our steps back to the highway, but what the hell, is there any fun in sensible. The mountains are calling. The road less travelled. Cliché overload.
Every bend has a photo, a child, a donkey, a shepherd, a river, a valley, some washing, a mud wall, an almond tree, an olive tree. Ever rising we climb up to the snowy mountain top.
A small girl peeps at us under her long black hair with her big brown eyes. How can we pass her by? The locals are somewhat camera shy, especially the ladies, but with some good old fashioned bribery Kathy manages to get that great shot. The usual whistle and ball are exchanged and the little girl runs back to her home as fast as she can, blowing crazily at her gift as she goes. Watching her, I fear she will trip on the loose stones (her enthusiasm is that great) to show her prize to her sister.
Two
hours later we finally top the High Atlas Mountains at 2300m. There is some snow but not as deep as the Middle Atlas. We wind down the other side, finally reaching the plain that leads to Marrakech. The traffic is busy to say the least. You have to attack to stay with the pack. Overtaking is done on a wing and a prayer. No time for hesitation.
We have no accommodation booked for tonight, thinking we shall telephone ahead on the way. Wrong! Kathy cannot get through on any of the numbers she tries from her lonely planet bible; suggesting that maybe we shall ‘just drive’ in to the Medina and ‘find’ a Riad. The perfect storm is brewing for divorce.
10kms out we come to the fork in the road, the sign says Marrakech both ways. Holy Crap! We do not take the path less trodden. Cars, motorbikes, trucks, buses, people. It is mayhem. Somehow we find the Medina, but where do you park and how in hell do you find a riad? Finally we manage to find a hotel on the GPS, which turns out to be incredibly seedy, the perfect scene out of gangster movie.
We ask the manager can we use the phone and manage to ring a riad in the Medina. We get through and the manager agrees to come and guide us to out abode.
Following his car through the streets is interesting enough, until we stop and ask the policeman can we pass through the barricades. Where are we off to? Next thing you know we are in a sea of people, motorbikes, did I mention the people? Marrakech Square, one of the most famous places in the world. I didn’t hit any people and found our car park. Oh my God at last I can exhale.
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Donna Fairweather
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Happy Valentines day to the Accidental tourists
Great reading,awesome roads and travels?...never think you are in control when their is a woman concerned....but do enjoy the journey..the challenge of marriage & traveling abroad .