| > | > | > | Colin, part II | . | |
I ended part one with me out in the desert pounding sand and seeing mirages
Anyhow, after I left the dunes, I returned to the little desert village of Rissani, where the hostel was. I had found out that I was ripped off 400 Dh (35$US) by the guy running the hostel who wanted to shack up with the two french girls supposedly coming in tonight. Obviously, Abdellah wanted more than just to rip these girls off. Its nice to know that Hostelling International does such a good screening of its candidates. The next morning the two french girls came and so did an irish couple. At the table where Abdellah was trying to sell his 800 Dh camel rides, which only cost 400Dh, I openly said right in front of everyone that I and another guy had found a place where they were advertising the same trek for 300Dh. Abdellah pretended not to hear me and went on to bs everyone that really, the treks out there by the other companies aren't that good. Mmm, yeah! So the irish couple left and went on a search for their own trek. Smart people, unlike the guy writing this letter. The two french girls decided to go with Abdellah to the hostel in the desert, but I warned them to abandon him once they got there. (um, Claire and Elsa, please write me to let me know you made it back from the desert!) After that, I had waited all day to catch a bus to Marrakech, which leaves everyday at 5:30 p.m., except for days when it is broken down. And now you know why I didnt make it to Marrakech as soon as I wanted to. That night I caught a bus to Er Rachidia, north of Rissani. At least it wasnt Rissani. I slept another night on the terrace since the heat stayed trapped in the room I was in. That morning, I woke up bright and early to run and get on a bus to Marrakech which, thankfully, was running. The bus ride for the first five hours was quite uneventful until I reached Ourzazate, a city at the foot of the high Atlas Mtns. From there on, we went through the mountains, climbing from up in the valley to summitting some peaks and around nearly every turn was a small Berber outpost where you could see children running through the streets and vendors along the road selling wares and the scent of various meats being grilled everywhere filled the air. We passed old mud brick forts which had fallen down and past oases with little red buildings popping up in and amongst the towering palm trees. Again, this bus driver was just as reckless as the last ones and he again nearly got everyone killed a few time over. Again, half of the bus was busy puking and two Japanese tourists that I had met in Rissani who had gotten on the bus in Ourzazate were sitting next to a guy who was puking all over the place. Enough of that. I made it to Marrakech in one peace and my stomach unbothered. And thats it for now since I have to go back to the airport again. Later. I'll send the conclusion then. colin continue to part III return to part I | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
all over the place right before i fell off the camel and rolled down the
dune.