Good Morning indeed. Though it was hot,like it was in the middle of the afternoon.
Another day of Africa Hot. The perfect day for a hike in the mountains of "La Vallée d'Ourika", to see the famous waterfalls... I was ready like a kid waiting for Christmas.My arranged ride was for 9am (No relevance to this story at all). The hired driver\guide drove right inside the square to pick me up , as cars were only permitted there in the morning.
And we're off..the drive was a long, mostly uneventful ride for the most part, but the scenery was beautiful most action I saw was a fight between to old men at the side of the road, which was pretty funny if you can imagine 2 old men getting into a wrestling match. It reminded me of "Blue" from the movie Old School.
We were getting close, we were here. Arrived in "Setti Fatma" a berber village in Vallée d'Ourika. You can see the Ourika River running through the town. The residents have set up bridges to restaurants and other structures along the banks. Pretty cool. It was there I was handed off to the next guide who looked like he was 15yrs old, but very excited to meet me for some reason.
This kid was as sure footed as a mountain goat. He hopped from rock to rock with the greatest of ease, and scaled the steep climbs like he was Spider man. Anyway I did my best to keep up with him as I couldn't be shown up by a little kid. But I was. He was a mountain goat on these slippery when wet rocks that the river was flowing through, and I was like a 3 year old on ice skates.
I was slipping and sliding, and then it happened. Right into the river, now it was shallow so not tonnes of danger there but some rocks were pretty jagged, only my pride was hurt.
It seemed as though someone turned up the heat outside. It was really F'n hot! The water..was ice cold, and really refreshing. So I also took an intentional dip at the base of the waterfall.
Words cant describe amazing this sight was. After hanging around the falls for a bit we headed back through the Berber village. (Lots of Asses there. They used them to carry the heavy loads in the the hills and mountains, I almost got knocked off a Cliff because some Ass, wouldn't move out of the way.) I was promised a Camel ride, but my guide informed me that it was another three hours hike, which we had no time for. I was a bit pissed. I was promised the ride...Secretly inside I pouted. Anyway...
I had the Standard Tangine lunch when I arrived back in town and was accompanied by some Older ladies from Madrid. They gave me the skinny on what to eat in Madrid. The key item was a Jambon Iberico Pato Negro. Which is Ham (Like Proccutio) from black pig, fed only acorns, and exercised daily. I must try this dish. We all rode back in the same vehicle. My driver sensing I was a bit upset about the Camel ride, delivered. He pulled over at the side of the road and got me a ride on a Camel. Yes the hang out at the side of the road. I took it for a short distance walking through town, but it was super cool and mission accomplished all in one.
After that he tool me to a pottery maker to pick up Tangine, Which is a clay dish with a cover used for cooking food, this was the coolest thing I bought out there, in fact this whole trip.
By the time we were on our way, the heat stroke had set in. I was had some intense nausea and had a headache the size of Australia (is that even possible?). I was dropped off at the edge of the square this time, because it was late in the day and car access to the square had been cut off at this point. I stumbled through the streets with my Tangine in hand and backpack on...I mean stumbled. it was like I was drunk. NO energy at all. But I needed a another bag to carry my goods home. Not to much fun haggling when you feel like your going to puke.
But I got an overpriced bag and I headed back for some rest. I passed out for about 2 hours,
After taking a shower I did feel better but needed food. I headed to the lobby\meeting area, and met a great Bunch of individuals, Another Canadian, a Jamaican , A Colombian , A German and of course my home girls from the UK, The Kate and Sarah show.
The crew headed out on the town together, it had to be somewhat of an early night. We all had to get up early tomorrow. Oh yeah...we were all on the same flight to Madrid leaving in the morning. Kinda funny how things work out.
Anyway I'm kind of a big deal in Marrakesh. Pretty funny how all the food vendors knew me, a few of them gave some good cheers as I walked through...same guys who cheered for me after the Barcelona win. It was a good night we all just took it easy, had some drinks at the only hotel serving booze in the area and I also enjoyed a cup of snails with Sarah. Kate tried too, it was cute seeing her trying to stomach these things...I think she actually got sick off them for real. Cause she wasn't doing so good after that..Hang in there Kate! Come to think of it I think someone warned me about eating those,....bah! if it don't kill you...
