Morocco – Kingdom between sea and desert. In search of 1001 Nights and a completely different Africa than we know so far, we travel 4 weeks alone through Morocco. A land of extreme diversity – high mountains with magnificent mountain passes, vast deserts with ocher dunes, narrow canyons, bustling cities with winding lanes and ancient cultures.
During our voyage of discovery we explore with the camera many exciting regions such as Marakkesch, Rabat, Chefchaouen and the Rif Mountains, Fez, Merzouga, the Dades Gorge, Quazazad, Ait Ben Haddou, Zagora, Erg Chegaga, Taroudant, Agadir and Imlil at Mount Tubkal , with almost 4200 m the highest mountain of Morocco. We feel our way through thick fog on narrow and partly unpaved mountain passes,
we experience the 11,000 streets of Fés in garbage chaos (strike garbage removal)
and have a look at 35 degrees heat on snow-capped peaks of the Atlas Mountains.
But first of all, it requires some orientation art to survive in the colorful bustle of the narrow streets of the Medinas.
The best way to deal with this situation is to drift aimlessly, relax, drink delicious mint tea and ignore the often annoying tourist hunters smiling.
Since this moment we love to stroll through the thickets of magical souks outside the major tourist cities. We enjoy the unknown atmosphere between “organic meat”, ripe olives, packed donkeys and busy traders. This experience is very relaxed outside the tourist destinations.
However, we are particularly impressed by encounters with people outside the tourist areas, such as our tour-guide Barack and a small Berber family, who live far away, between dunes and the Algerian border, in wind and weather in a simple Berber tent. Their life is hard and depriving.
At the sight of the cooking tent and the only plush toy of the five-year-old girl we must inevitably think of our comfort life in Germany. Here in the desert there is no access to medical care, for the children no access to education. A life without electricity and only with well water. Having a perspective looks different.
What is missing education combined with superstition, we experience also on our journey through the villages in the High Atlas Mountains. During a detour to the Tin-Mal-Mosque, we discover a beautiful owl, sunk in deep sleep, high up under the roof. Our wildlife photographer’s heart beats faster. Unfortunately, as we take pictures, we hear from a young man from the village that owls in this region have little chance of survival. They are said to have ominous properties. Therefore, the motto is “Only a dead owl is a good owl”. For us, this hunt for the animals is absolutely incomprehensible. Fortunately, the young Moroccan keeps his owl-discovery secret, because one or the other tourist likes to tip for this “discovery”. Good for the owl.
But also the life of the four-legged friends touches us. Never before we have seen so many “little tigers” in one country. The Moroccan Cats Nation splits: fed by some, kicked by others.
Morocco – for us a country of contrasts and contradictions. The beautiful landscapes have enchanted us. We will be back. And yes, we also bought a carpet. A piece of Morocco – a bit older and faded, but beautiful.
