Due to our inability to refuel in the Straight of Gibraltar, we arrived to Morocco a day late. I was actually surprised and pleased about how the staff on the ship immediately created various events that provided us entertainment for our extra day on the ship! We had a talent show, many workout classes, movies, a lecture on self-defense, and they even made us ice cream sundaes for dinner! During my dinner was when the ship was rounding the corner of Morocco to enter our port. Our captain came on the intercom and warned us that we were about it hit some major waves, and boy was he right. We hit 15-foot waves that sent everything, including people, flying. All the books in the library were on the floor, the clothing store was destroyed, plates in the kitchen shattered, pitches of water were knocked over, and everything in my room was everywhere! It lasted for about 10 minutes and then it got a little calmer but it was very intense. Although a day late, we finally arrived to Morocco late Monday night.
I didn’t have any plans until Wednesday, so on Tuesday my roommate, Anna, and I gathered up a group of random girls and went and explored Casablanca, our port city. As soon as we left, we were bombarded by dozens of taxi drivers that are very aggressive. We bypassed them and soon arrived in the center of the Mendina. The Mendina is sort of like a huge disgusting outside flea market. It was filled with clothes, shoes, artwork, and local products. Walking through the Medina was very scary and tense because there are generally only men and they flock to you to try to get your money. The Mendina was extremely dirty (overflowing sewage holes, muddy/trashy streets, wild cats, dogs and chickens, and smells that make you want to vomit) and was such culture shock. I didn’t see a single woman for at least an hour and it took us about 30 minutes to find a restaurant that looked as though we could eat there— because we were women. After lunch, we went through the Mendina and went to the Casablanca Mosque. Every city has many mosques and generally their main mosque is the tallest building in the city. The Casablanca Mosque was so pretty; it was a totally different atmosphere then the Mendina. There was a huge main tower and a worship center below. It was very interesting comparing their Mosque’s to our churches. We were unable to go inside the mosque because it was their time of worship. After that, we had a 35-minute walk back to our ship. And after my tense, stressful day I was so happy to see that ship!
Casablanca was not what I had in mind when I thought of Morocco. I think my idea of Morocco was more focused on desserts and camels and not what I had seen at all. The degradation of the city was shocking and the disrespect for women was emotional. You hear about other cultures and their regards for women and how different and/or horrible they are treated and you get sad. But actually encountering these conditions, witnessing the disrespect, and being treated in vulgar ways really tugs at your perspectives on life. I am so blessed to live where I do and I know I am so lucky to be treated with the respect that I receive by anyone I encounter. And although I was not happy to see how their women are seen and I was not comfortable with how I was treated, I do feel as though this experience has really made me appreciate my life and our country.
On Wednesday morning, I left for my Semester at Sea trip. Semester at Sea offers planned trips to purchase in all the countries. After my previous day, I was happy to be catered around. We got on buses and we drove to Marrakech. Casablanca is the economy capital of Morocco and Marrakech is the cultural capital of Morocco. My image of Morocco really changed after this trip. Throughout the four-hour drive, we drove past bright green meadows, Sheppard’s herding their sheep, mountains of agriculture and small Moroccan towns.
We were driven to the Marrakech Mendina and were taken to lunch. Their food was quite interesting. We had lamb, bread and a very obscure salad. Needless to say, I didn’t have a very big lunch. Then we started our treasure hunt throughout the Mendina. Marrakech’s Mendina was very different from Casablanca’s because it was all enclosed behind these giant walls and it was much cleaner. We were given clues and 50 Dirham (about 6 dollars) and we had to run around the Mendina and purchase certain things and find “blue men” for our next clue. It was really tough! The Mendina is huge and there are many men dressed in blue, but it was really neat to interact with the city and the people. After the treasure hunt we were taken back to our hotel and then to this Moroccan dinner that was actually really good! No offense Mom, but their coos coos (not sure how to spell that) is so much better! It was a four course meal: bread and oil, soup, coos coos, and then for desert we had fruit. After dinner we went back to the hotel and went to sleep!
TODAY WAS THE DAY OF MY LIFE! We woke up and drove into the Atlas Mountains. I was shaking because I knew that all day I was going to be encountering one of my biggest fears: heights. I got out of the bus and I instantly saw what then seemed like death: a zip-line that crossed over a deep canyon and a rope bridge that crossed the same canyon. They quickly got us all strapped into our gear and after a 7 minute instruction speech we were on our way. First, we had to cross the rope bridge. This sucker was horrible! It was small dinky planks of wood and they were each almost a foot apart from each other. If I would have misplaced my foot, I would have fallen right through the middle of the two planks. Now Dad, before you have a heart attack, my harness was attached to a cable. So if I had misplaced my foot I would have been dangling, instead of falling what seemed like 100 stories. But regardless, I DID IT! I took deep breaths and told myself that I was going to be okay and I crossed it! After I reached land on the other side, I wanted to get down and kiss the ground, but I held my composure! It was one of the happiest moments of my life. Shoved in my face was my biggest fear and I conquered it!
Next were the zip-lines. I was still on my high of crossing the bridge so I figured the zip-lines weren’t going to be that bad. And they really weren’t. I LOVED THEM! I wish we had 20 zip-lines instead of 4. They were so much fun! My mother is probably asking if I am actually the one writing this e-mail, and YES, mom, I am. Each zip-line crossed over a canyon in the Atlas Mountains. After the first one I couldn’t wait to do the second. Apparently our guide could see that so he made me go FIRST on the second zip-line! I never wanted to go first just because it is always reassuring to see someone go before you, you know, to be sure this thing operates correctly. But he hooked me on and before I knew it I was flying through the air over these deep canyons. The adrenaline took over my body and it left me with such an invigorated feeling. The last zip-line was the longest and the deepest. I was scared to cross it because our guide told us that some of us may not pick up the speed to cross it entirely and we may stop 5-10 feet short and have to pull ourselves the rest of the way. WHAT?! Yeah, so I was scared again. I did not pick up the speed and I stopped about 10 feet short. Without even thinking, I turned myself around and started pulling myself towards land. I am so happy I did all of this and I owe this experience to my roommate Anna. She told me to just do it, sign up for the trip and get over the fear. I really didn’t think that was possible, but it was. Now, I look at everything that I was fearing and I am questioning why I was afraid. I think I am still on my high and I know that every time I recall this day I will feel this sense of power again. That day was one of the best days of my life.
After that we were fed lunch and then driven back to our ship in Casablanca. Morocco was a very bitter-sweet country and as rough as it was, I did enjoy it. It was a great learning experience not only about the country but also about myself. My advice to all of you is to conquer your fears because as soon as you do there is no better feeling.
