Change of Scenery

On Saturday we went to Chefchaouen, which is in the northern part of Morocco near Tangier with lots of Spanish influence! It was a five hour journey with 3 other volunteers, our driver, and our coordinator from Rabat that began at 7:15AM in a taxi van. When we got there, beautiful shades of blue surrounded us, from painted houses, buildings and the sky.   After all it’s called the Blue city. I will need to read more about its history. 

In addition to the blue we were faced by the looming mountains. So winding hills and stairs add as much to the aesthetic as the color. Unfortunately, I am not built (right now) for this kind of beauty. Every route we followed navigating through this Medina felt like a hike!

Backstory: Before I left home, I had hoped I would not prove to be the “fat American” in the group. I expected to be the oldest volunteer. But was hoping I wouldn’t be the unfit, out-of-shape, panting and struggling-to-keep-up one.

Yesterday it happened. 🤦🏾‍♀️ I was utterly exhausted! 

By the time we found the girls’ place (after being turned around a bit) and then found the boys’ place (after also making a U turn on foot), we started to explore. By the way, Google Maps still came through. But the roads in these areas are a bit of a maze so even Google can be forgiven. And why “girls & boys” Airbnbs you ask? Answer’s in our Airbnb description: 

Please note: 
In accordance with the Morocco legislation, the couples or mixed group of friends (boys and girls) among which the one at least travelers is Moroccan or arabian, have to supply a marriage certificate. 

And since I’m not married, and not to anybody on this trip either,  it was what it was, and we had to do this.

By 4:30PM, I was feeling drained and had to leave lunch with the group to go back to Dar El Bakkali our Riad. And 10 min later I was lost. Thought I was at the location, but it didn’t look the same. Still exhausted, I sat on a step … one  of the thousands of steps… 😞 rested and messaged the WhatsApp group. A few min later I realized I was on the other side of our Riad after some kids and then another Riad caretaker direct me. 

A few minutes later (as you can see in the group chat) I finally arrived. And then, it happened… 🤢 🤮 and not just vomit if you catch my drift. I checked in, grabbed bag  from the reception got to my room and it was like my body said “NOW” and I was immediately sick. I proceeded to sleep on top of the still-made bed and covered myself with my scarf. At 7PM I woke up again and proceeded to projectile hurl all the Moroccan vegetable soup I’d eaten out of my system and into the commode. And after a few back-to-back hurls, I felt better and like there was a light at the end of this sick tunnel. I would venture back out today and meet the group! 

After showering, brushing my teeth, and changing it was a new day and I was feeling good… well better. Instead of hiking up the mountain (sooo many stairs) I decided to stop and chatted with a guy from the US and the rest of my evening was filled with many more 1 on 1 convos and orange juice (no food). I had a great time chatting and sipping juice and water while others ate.

This morning I slept in and the group left around 12pm. Now driving through beautiful mountains back to Rabat and just stopped — about to zip line! Will add pics when back on WIFI!  

Lessons learned: Actually, start to turn on the incline on my treadmill and always visit the terrace with the great view in case you get sick and forget 😬