Up relatively early, we went downstairs for breakfast to find our young Hassan (the staffer who has attended us for breakfast and dinners), sound asleep on a sofa, all lights off, no one in the office. Uh oh. We cleared our throats to wake Hassan up. He popped up, sprang into action, and in 15 minutes was serving our breakfast. We always build in a time buffer when traveling, so no sweat.
Hassan, by the way, is a talkative young man and has been bending our ears on all things Fes. Especially how beloved the Jewish people are. After all, he says, all this food is really Jewish food.
Ensconced on the train to Marrakech (nowhere does it say Marrakech Express but I can still relive the 60s and 70s in my head). I’m pleased that there are no compartments in the first class car this time. No getting trapped with a screaming, squirming, and did I mention spitting? three year old girl.
Pics taken from the train
Seven hours later, we disembark in Marrakech. We decide to walk to the hotel, only about 20 minutes on wide sidewalks lined with large restaurants and hotels. Our hotel for the night is Hotel Ibn Batouta. We stroll out for dinner and happen upon. a French restaurant. Let’s take a break from Moroccan food. We take a little walk after dinner before returning to our hotel. The street has a Las Vegas feel to it.
Tomorrow morning, Ali will meet us at the hotel at 8am. Another adventure begins with exploration of mountains, desert and coast with Ali as our driver for 10 days.
Ibn Batutta was a 14th century Arab Marco Polo, who made a 30 year journey throughout the Muslim world. His travelogue, if that is a fair description, is available in English. I tried reading it once… pretty boring actually.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ibn_Battuta
Yes, in fact there was a podcast on Ibn Batouta’s adventures that I listened to a couple months ago. Probably more digestible than his travelogue.