Sunday, August 8, 2010

Where Have All the Cowboys Gone?!?!


If you have ever been to a `Wild West` city...you know, the kind with a fake sagebrush rolling across the one dirt road through the center of the town re-creation, you will perhaps be able to relate to today`s scenery aboard the `bus from hell,`as Kaitlyn so eloquently described it.

There were no buses to Fes today from Chefchaouen but we met some other travelers who told us to go through a town called Sidi Kassem, so we did, ever so gingerly. In what was supposed to be a three hour bus ride, we arrived at our destination five hours later, completely enveloped in sweat. It was a memorable experience, to say the least. Aside from the joys of waiting on the crowded, stagnant bus in the dead of summer, steps away from the Sahara desert on a windless day, just waiting for the driver to decide to go ahead and begin, you know, to drive, we were privy to see some truly authentic `towns,` the sort that can only be described as unique. Imagine the Wild West town, complete with cart pulling donkeys, people staring off into space outside their doors, and old men shuffling by with canes and years of wear on their faces. Now, imagine the Air Force dropping several bombs on the place, the people making a few repairs here and there, but then deciding that eh, it just wasnt worth it...it`just too hot and besides, who has the time anyway?! Gorgeous indeed.

It wasnt all so ùnique`, however. The views of the surrounding Rif Mountains really was beautiful and did not distract too much from the accompanying queasiness associated with the winding roads or the soaking wet blue noodle sitting beside me [Kaitlyn]. We met a Canadian couple on the bus traveling for a year who talked us into a night in Meknes, which is where we are right now. Their fluent French was again a godsend and their Lonely Planet guidebook really makes us think we should pick one up as being mapless, language-less, sweaty and hungry is making it more and more apparent to be an assinine endeavour (and I will use the U there...take that America!).

We have a train to catch in the morning to Fes where we will stay for a few days before heading to Marrakesh. Ramadan is set to begin on the 11th, though apparently not too much should be different. Other than not eating in public, we should be okay. The Arab world seems to come abuzz with activity when the sun comes down, and with the time apparently and yet mysteriously conveniently changing here today to be one hour earlier and again in a few days to another hour earlier, everything should be kosher (and I will use kosher there.....take that Arab world!)

We never really feel uneasy or nervous, other than not knowing where we are going or what people are saying....but other than that Mrs Lincoln, how was the play? But seriously though, Moroccans, to this point at least, have been very nice, patient, and not in our face too much. They seem to accept us as backpackers and our accompanying Western ways. Kaitlyn has worn longer shorts and pants and shirts with short sleeves and has not been gawked at too much, other than for how pretty she is anyway of course. All in all, things are going well!

Until Fez, I bid you adieu!

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3 comments:

  1. Sounds like a great time...especially with the added bonus of sweat!! I want pictures!! Ya'll stay safe!

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  2. Kbags I am glad to see that you are trying to wear clothing that doesn't get to many stares. All I keep picturing in my crazy head is Sex in The City 2 sceen.
    Can't wait to read more.

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  3. SOAKING WET BLUE NOODLE I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!! BE SAFE

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