Friday 4 August 2017

MOROCCAN DIARIES CHAPTER II: استكشاف - EXPLORATION

A wise man in Marrakesh once said: “Consulting a map upon getting lost is cheating life – there is a reason why you are here, why you stand where you stand, why you ended up at my front door…and the only way to uncover this reason is with a cup of fresh mint tea and a good conversation.”
                            
Prior to our departure and due to our excitement, Izabela and I had compiled an itinerary of all the sites we desired to visit, including the average visiting time, the opening-hours, the entry fees, the historical background of all dwellings and the weather forecast for at least the subsequent two months. There were, in fact, only few specifics we had not considered in our research, among others, the only information that would have been truly valuable to our journey. Both suffering from topographic illiteracy, it only occurred to us after our arrival in Morocco that we were quite unfamiliar with any type of geography concerning our trip.

Our new Moroccan friends were kind enough not to comment on our solecism when we asked for their advice. Gathered around a golden table in a room that smelled like cinnamon, they turned exceptionally quiet as they stooped over a map and gradually began to outline various routes and locations. The long silence that ensued caused Izzy and me to glance at each other. The only distinguishable noise was the delicate burbling of water stemming from the brightly decorated fountains adorning each corner. We had enough time to observe the boys` facial expressions that showed no trace of excitement or approval.