Whiskey Jack Adventures: Marrakesh, Morocco

Well, we suppose we deserved today. After taking the beautiful desert sunshine and good roads we have had for granted, Mother Nature, in conjunction with the Moroccan Dept. of Highways decided to remind us that it isn’t always that way. It has been a real mixed bag. We started under overcast skies at about 4 degrees, saw some sunshine then rain (occasionally heavy) for the last hour and a half. Luckily the rain didn’t start during the ride through construction. We now see why the 200 km took take all day!

The Moroccans haven’t figured out how to keep the rocks from falling on their newly paved highway. No wire mesh like at home so it can be a constant repair job and a hazard we needed to watch for on most corners. The guard rails are mostly hand built rock walls and many men were busy placing rocks while others “clayed” them into place. The flag person is just a fellow, sometimes with a red flag that he waves but often not, to direct traffic.

Today’s ride took us through the high Atlas Mountains on a pass claiming to be the second highest in Africa. The road was rough part of the way so riders had to watch for ruts, holes, rocks, sheep herds and more but at least it was very scenic. The construction taking place is to remove a lot of the curves so they have blasted areas through the rock but not got it cleared yet. Maybe in 10 years??? Some places were a real mess.

Again today we saw families riding camels and donkeys and women heavily laden with supplies for home. You wonder how they can even walk with the big bundles.

Our first stop was at the summit of the pass for coffee/mint tea break. It was pretty windy and cool but we still managed the usual group photo and even had the “boys” Sergi and Erik entertaining us and placing an IMT tour company sticker on the sign. As at every stop there are hawkers trying to sell their wares.

For lunch today we had a “picnic”. It was planned for lunch of “make yourself sandwiches” on the terrace but it was a bit cool and windy so we were able to gather around the fireplace to eat. Everyone seemed to enjoy the change from the usual lunch of tagine and/or couscous.

The drive into Marrakech was Fez-like chaos with cars, taxis, scooters, people walking and buses coming from all directions. Add to that the rain. Most of the drivers are really good about letting us stay in a group. You may only have a 3^rd of a lane and are wedged between a truck and a bus but that is your spot and traffic respects that. The hotel entrance came upon us too quickly so with Norma’s directions Doug went around the corner and came back on the sidewalk to the parking garage entrance. It wasn’t nearly as interesting as our sidewalk ride in Sarajevo, but at least we got one in this trip! In spite of all this we all arrived safely at our destination.