Moroccan Fairy tales- part II

DAY 4- Views and Merzouga desert

Although we were travelling almost the whole day, we stopped at so many interesting locations. First, we visited a valley with palms in the middle of nowhere. These wonderful views are just everywhere in Morroco. If you go alone, renting a car is probably a good decision if you want to enjoy these landscapes.

Next stop we made was at the Todra Gorge and the river was flowing between the rocks. We were walking on the little stones in the river and I felt so much freedom, jumping in the puddles like we used to do when we were little.

With every stop we were making, we were getting closer to the desert where we were going to sleep this night. Everyone was so excited, it was the culmination of our trip. We've been hearing so many stories about how dirty it is going to be or how we won't even sleep because of the cold. They made us bring leggings and sweaters, socks and scarfs! (Compared to the weather during the day was 40 degrees so you could imagine how funny everything sounded.) The last thing we needed to do before going to the desert was to buy scarfs for our faces. I didn't think it was that necessary until we got there and the sandy wind was all over my hair and face.

I've always dreamed to dress like a typical Barbarian woman and to have henna on my hand. It made me feel even more related to their culture.

The first thing we did when we got to Merzouga, was to see where we were going to sleep. The tents were in the middle of nowhere and when we entered them, the "beds" were covered with sand. They weren't actual beds, it was just a mattress with sheets and blankets but I loved it so much, it was a real adventure. There was no door of course so whenever the wind was blowing (that means the whole night), the sand was all over us.

After leaving our luggage in the sand houses, we went for a walk with camels! It was one of the best experiences ever! For me, it was kind of like riding a horse, just slower, higher and not really that comfortable. I was the last one from the group so I could see the whole line of people and camels united as one.

The camels left us under one dune and while we were climbing, they were resting their photogenic faces.

They were so cute, I actually hugged mine. They had such a soft hair!

We climbed on the top of the dune after 5 or 10 min of mumbling. It was really hard to climb in the sand, our feet were sinking in it, so we just took off our shoes without any fear of scorpions or other little treats there might be.

The view from the top; you can see the climbing people :D

We finished this beautiful day with the typical songs and dances in this really big tent which was keeping us warm and safe from the sand storm.

DAY 5- 4X4 roadtrip and heartbreaking stories

Our friend- the driver, photobombing the picture

We were so excited to explore the villages in the desert and to see the way how the people live. We jumped into the jeep and started our little excursion. I was so not prepared for the things we were going to see.

We were driving around the Sahara for 15 mins. We stopped at this village called 'The village of the black people' which is located directly on the border with Algeria.

The black people were singing and playing different instruments, I was so inspired by the looks on each of their faces. There was the look of joy and happiness that I can't explain in words. You know there are some people, you just look at their faces and you know immediately how passionate they are. They were really putting effort into this, it wasn't just a job, they wanted to save the traditions of their country. They wanted to show us that they are proud of being born here. I hope you can see throught my camera the way I saw them- brave, powerful, inspirational.

After enjoying this unexpected party, we continued to our next stop. The guides said we were going to see typical Moroccan family, living in the desert, but God, I wasn't ready for all the emotions I felt.

I want you to take a closer look at these pictures. This is the family living in the desert, that's pretty much all they have, the women and the kids were scared so they were hiding from us. I felt so terrible, I didn't want them to feel uncomfortable in their own home but still they wouldn't let us be a part of the their life, even only for a second.

There was only one kid walking around, exploring with his big eyes "who are these foreigners, what are they looking for here?". Of course we tried to meet him and ask some questions but he was too shy. Then some people from the group started giving him some sweets- biscuits, chocolate and candies and these big eyes transformed into huge brown beads. I was just standing there not knowing what to do, there were so many emotions in my head, I wanted to cry because I've never seen someone more grateful than this little boy. But I couldn't. I had this lump in my throught I couldn't speak, I couldn't do anything. Just standing there and realizing how much we have but we are always taking it for granted. The kid grabbed all of his presents and went in the house, he layed down and hugged all of the food we gave to him.

I felt so miserable, I realized my life was worth nothing if I just stay in my comfort zone for the rest of my life. Work from 9-17 and then chill with the TV in front. I want to change something. I found this layer of me I've been searching for so many years. I was so afraid of showing the real me. The adventurous one, the one who is not afraid to pursue what makes her happy, no matter how wrong it iss looking in someones eyes. I was looking at this kid and I was thinking: God, I'll do something about it. I dont know how, I dont when but I want to change lives, I want to see more smiles like this and eyes full of love and joy. I want to make a difference. I want the people to live a life they are not ashamed of.

Baby boy and his father, I was so touched by the happiness they were speading all over the place...

DAY 6- Fez, baby

Again travelling the whole day with two really interesting stops. So until now you saw only typical Moroccan style in the streets but the city we stopped in was so different from everything else in Morocco. It's called Ifrane and it's an authentic Swiss village. I couldn't believe the streets and architecture, I felt like we were on another planet. Sadly, I don't have any photos because of the heavy rain, I covered myself with a scarf (I didn't have any jacket because you know, Morocco, it's supposed to be 30 degrees) and it was completely wet, like I just washed myself.

We also visited Azrou where we saw monkeys in the forest. They were playing with us, eating from our hand and even trying to steal stuff! (Phone video is all I have.)

In the afternoon we were already in Fez, ready to explore this little but so beautiful town. What impressed me the most about this town, was the Old medina (it's the old city of Fez). The streets were even smaller than the ones of South Italy and even though we were with a guide, we got lost at least 5 times. The streets are 5m long and then you turn around and guess what, there are millions of them, it's impossible to not get lost.

I love watching people, especially when I'm in another country and everything seems so different from the culture I'm used to see every day. These men were hiding in the small streets and while the group was rushing forward, I was making pictures of the local guys and getting lost in these secret streets. (Btw Morocco is not the best place to get lost, don't do this at home.)

In one of the baby streets we came across Al-Attarine Madrasa, before it was a school and now- a mosque.

A little bit further there was the oldest continuously operating, degree-granting university in the world- University of Al-Karaouine.

Are you ready for maybe the most instagramable place in whole Morocco? For a really long time I was looking at these "influencers" photos laying around some colorful water and I was like: wow, this must be a really good edit. The place is actually called Chouara tannery and it's a leather shop that makes all of their products on the spot.

It looks really dreamy on the photos but you can't imagine the smell, I don't know how the influencers are actually laying down there. But obviously doing everything for the perfect pic.

By the way there are a lot of kids on the streets of Fez, selling magnets or little purses. But two of them attracted my attention: they started following us around the different locations we were going and just wanted to play with us. I started talking to them and unexpectedly they knew Spanish! They were only 11 years old, I started telling them about my brother who is the same age. They were asking if we were there on vacation and looking at me with those big brown eyes. I swear, the Moroccan people have the biggest eyes!

Can you see that there is an actual spark in these eyes???

When I was looking at them I was thinking about my brother that I haven't seen in a really long time. I was thinking "What if he had to work something similar to support our family?" I was just so bumped by the life of these kids. At this young age they need to work to help their families and some people in my country are complaining so much because they don't want to work for a salary under 800 euro.

I want to give you a piece of advice: TALK with the local people! These conversations are probably the most precious thing Morocco gave me.

It was time to go back to the hotel so we went on the street but do you know what happened? These two babies started walking with us! They didn't want to say "bye", neither did I. So we decided to make a photo. They were soooo happyyyyy!

But it was time to go so I hugged them really really hard and I kissed their foreheads. I hope they' ll make it in life, there was something unusual in them that makes me think they'll build a beautiful life.

It was a really long day so when we finally got to the hotel, we were extremely happy. We were having a nice party like every night when suddenly we realized that we don't have water. (And the tap water is not potable) So we went downstairs because we wanted to go to the nearest shop but the receptionist didn't let us go out. He said that the city is too dangerous for tourists at night so they sent some local guy to buy us water. The point is: don't go for a romantic walk at night, you're not in Paris.

DAY 7- The Royal palace and Chefchaouen

First in the morning we visited The Royal palace in Fez, that was the one thing we wanted to see the previous day but we didn't have enough time. We didn't enter but the golden doors were marvelous.

When we arrived in Chefchaouen it was so cold, I was walking with my coat but still shivering. The whole sky was covered in clouds but that didn't stop us from exploring the blue town.

I'll be honest, when I thought about Morocco I was imagining only sand and dust. Chefchaouen changed my mind, we were surrounded by nature. There were sheeps and other animals just walking around, I loved it even before entering the actual city.

One time inside, we easily got lost in the little blue streets. Actually the city was white a couple of years ago and then this hotel painted it's wall in blue and it went viral! So they painted the rest of the city just to attract tourists. (Hoho, it works)

We had just 2 hours in this town so we couldn't enjoy it properly but still we made some really great memories and I think from all the cities we visited I liked this one the most.

Look at the contrast, one photo with a summer dress and the other one is with coat and scarf. I was so cold but I decided to take a photo like this and pretend it's summer.

No, it's not the sun that was bothering me, there was just a raindrop in my eye.

Street market (I haven't smell such a nice food since Bulgaria)

This is part of our bus, we had such a great time together! We met absolutely amazing people...

I'm so grateful I did this trip, I grew a lot, my way of thinking changed, I met extraordinary people who have impacted me on my life. I hope this is not a goodbye cuz I have more Moroccan cities and places on my list.