In the Moroccan Desert

"It is well to be up before daybreak, for such habits contribute to health, wealth, and wisdom." - Aristotle

Morocco: Merzouga
This was one of the most incredible parts of my two week trip in Morocco. We arrived in Merzouga around 5pm one evening. We got to our hotel, had dinner, and went quickly to bed. The next day we were to be up and ready at 5:45am to see the sunrise in the desert. I know. It sounded like a stretch to me too when first given the proposition, but the experience was so worth it and much more.

We walked in darkness guided by a camel herder to the shoreline. I say shoreline because the barrier between the hotel and the desert dunes seemed so much like a shoreline only there was no water in site. Just stars, camels, and us. We mounted our camels which was a little scary at first. I was the 3rd of 4 to mount. I devised a strategy to avoid any potential conflict with my camel: I mounted quickly. As quickly as I could. Long legs, it turns out, are good for something.

Off we went into the night towards the dunes and the desert. The air was calm, cool and there was nothing but peace around. In times like these, honestly, I ask myself why don't I get up at dawn more often. I mean, sure, I am not usually near a Moroccan desert but even when I have those rare moments of waking around dawn in Tampa, FL, I feel it is such a special time of the day.

Peace.

From darkness to sunrise.

Yes, peace it what I felt as we rode quietly into the desert on our camels. We made a 30 minute trek away from the shoreline and towards the dunes. Once we arrived at our stopping area, we got off of the camels and started dune climbing. I would have never imagined that it would be as difficult and tiring to walk on those fine orange sand mounds! But what a challenge....what spectacular beauty.  We walked on the mounds for 30-45 minutes. Talking, sitting, walking, challenging ourselves as we reached higher and higher dunes. In retrospect, it was such a beautiful way to wake up and embrace the day and God's creation. When I looked out over the dunes, it was impossible to see where they would stop. We looked toward the direction of Algeria where the two countries meet.

Let these pictures be my testimony.

Morocco in Color : 10 Cities in 14 Days

Flashback to Easter 2010 in the Ivory Coast

There are so many words that have not been shared...so many pictures and videos that have not been published. This video is one of them. 

I do, however, remember what I felt that day at church in the city of Daloa on Easter back in 2010. There was a lady who worked at the local cellphone company office who I befriended. She invited me to her church for Easter. I was excited. Once I arrived, it was one of the liveliest church services I'd ever seen before and that's really saying something cause I know churches in the South of the US!  Of course, it was also a special day at church, Easter. People probably wore their best, sang their best, and performed their best. This video shows a female youth group performing a dance in front of the church. The "church" itself was actually some sort of multi-purpose building where a variety of  community events were held, including church service. At the end of the service, I wanted to stay and socialize. I still regret a little that I didn't. Why did I not stay? Well, promptly after service, I was offered a membership card.  I was to fill it out and return it to a responsible church usher who was a guy. One of the questions on the card was regarding marital status: married, single, or engaged. This was not an uncommon question in the Ivory Coast, in my experience, but for some reason, that day I did not feel like explaining myself or being subjected to any courting attempts. I already could sense the curiosity surrounding the newcomer. In retrospect, the reasoning for my premature departure was a little silly (particularly since at this point, I would have or should have known how to cleverly exit those flirty situations) but if you read my post on love and dating in the Ivory Coast, maybe you can find a little sympathy for me :) Anyway, it's too bad I did not stay afterwards just to experience more socializing in this beautiful country. I walked home and arrived at my apartment around 15 minutes later.  My kind neighbors had lunch waiting for me. I miss the Ivory Coast.