CULTURE SHOCK! MOROCCO!

Hi Team,

Well I'm in Fez.

It's crazy busy, big, noisy, and the only thing I can compare it to is La Paz Bolivia. Though it's STILL the holiday, so it's less noisy, less crazy and less busy than it normally is. The imperial palace and the ENORMOUS medina are crazy cool.
I had one hell of an experience yesterday, which I don't have time to write about just now. We'll say it involved lots of stinky dead goats.

I just wanted to give you a location update. And if anyone has done a multi-day camel trek in Erg Chebbi, could you please give me the information of the company / hotel you went through. It is REALLY complicated to book anything, or get a straight answer out of anyone here (it's a lot of tell you want you want to hear, or what they THINK you want to hear just to make the sale). Again....Bolivia. I'm planning on going to the desert tomorrow or the next day, and the only concrete tour I've found (met the guy) is too expensive for my taste.

And now...

CULTURE SHOCK, MOROCCO

I keep meaning to write about this, but get too wrapped up in the adventure stories, to mention this. (As "Sk8ter boy" by Avril Lavigne plays at the internet cafe....)

It's real.
CULTURE SHOCK.
I came here for it. I chose it. I wanted it. I wanted to get outside my comfort zone, and I am WAY outside of it. I haven't felt grounded but for a few fleeting moments (chilling in the olive grove on the bike ride, grabbing the grand taxi to Moulay Idriss) this whole trip. It usually takes a few days to get used to travel someplace (the oft referenced "See-Legs"), but Morocco is turning out to be quite the challenge. There tourist infrastructure is fractured at best. It exists, but it's so strange to be sleeping in someone's house. Just me. In Fez. With a family. It's very cool, it's a glimpse into something I don't normally get to see, but it's very strange. I mean, it's not everyday that you're shown "your bathroom" and there is a GOAT CARCASS hanging in the middle of the room. Yep! And later in the day they were cutting it up, sawing it in half with saws and knives and just laughing up a storm, having the best time of their lives. Admittedly, I laughed a lot too because it was so strange, and well, they were laughing and laughing is fun.

Still, it's weird.

And it is VERY hard to determine if people are being friendly or offereing you "services" (not sex services but guide services) that you may not even want. I've gotten better at saying "no thanks" and walking away, but it's a different mind set. And the pouty "goss, poor me" look you get if you dare to say no to the hard working salesman.

As many of you know, I've been to a lot of places. Morocco is the 30th country. And so far it's shaping up to be the most challenging one to travel in and function in. Sure, if I spoke french or arabic it would be a little easier, but I don't think by much. If you come from a place (like USA) where prices are posted and information is much easier to access, the Morocco experience is quite unnerving at times.

All this is to not say that it's not worth it, of course. Travel isn't always "Fun", but that doesn't mean it's not a worthwhile experience. As the end of the travel philosophy from "THE BEACH" says: "Just keep your mind open and suck in the experience. And if it hurts, you know what? It's probably worth it."

That being said, I'm REALLY ready to meet some travelers. When you book places, it seems there were always "2 american girls" or "2 german girls" that are staying there. But when you check in they have conveniently "left this morning". It could be a couple from England, it could be a group, but usually it's 2 girls. It's really funny. (And no, I'm not just seeking out 2 girls in Morocco. :). Still, I'm ready to hear how other travelers are finding Morocco, get some tips and advice about places to see and things to do that might not be tinged with the fact that they are making a percentage of their "uncles" shop or hotel or driver company. And I like travelers, they are from other places too. I'm very curious what it's like for women to travel in Morocco, and see how their experiences differ from men. (Yes Michele, I will pick your brain for more stories when I get back. Definitely!)

Culture shock.
It's what I wanted.
And if it was comfortable, I wouldn't have gotten out of my comfort zone...which is part of the main reason for travel in the first place.

CraigO

PS: Cadry, remember the "CULTURE SHOCK!" Books? Did you ever read one for Morocco?