Morocco

This entry is part of the July 2007 Collaborations Project at Rice Bowl Journals:
Is there a particular, far away place you’ve always dreamed of going to, but for one reason or another you could never go? And once you got there, what would you do? What places would you see?

Actually, my dream destination is not far away at all. I tend to travel long distance but neglect what’s right on my doorstep, even though I really want to go.

Morocco is practically a stone’s throw away, especially now I’ve moved to Spain. I could be there in two hours. Though I don’t think I’d fly, if I finally got around to going. Instead I’d rent a car just sturdy and big enough to withstand the breakneck speed and crazy drivers on Spanish highways –no Clio for me, thank you– and drive down South, then take the ferry from there. Not only is travelling by land and sea infinitely more interesting and romantic, I like the idea of seeing Moorish influence increase the closer you get to its origin. Of course, the Alhambra and the mosque of Cordoba come to mind…

Once in Morocco, I’d just do what I always do when I’m abroad: roam. I don’t like fixed itineraries and I’m not at all into ’seeing the sights’. Instead I like to walk the streets, then sit down on a bench somewhere and see how the locals live. Checking out a few souks would be another must for me. I love open air markets anywhere in the world: all kinds of music blaring from cheap speakers, the smell of food that hits you from all directions, the shouting, the haggling, the amazing deals and unbelievable rip offs. I’m especially into natural beauty products: oils, perfume, khajal, soaps and powders…I can spend all day sniffing and testing, honestly.

And some random things I’d want to do:
*eat an orange (people keep telling me you haven’t had an orange till you have one in Morocco).
*ride a camel –I don’t care how touristy this is. I like camels, they have the most beautiful eyes.
*visit a hammam. several, in fact. I miss bath houses…
*go to some sort of women only event. I like the relaxed and welcoming attitude, the openness, the feeling of belonging that comes from spending time with women from gender separated communities. There’s something very unique about it.

Hmm…maybe next year.