New week, new month, new conitenent. After a month of traveling
around Europe, I have finally arrived in Africa! As soon as we docked we
had to go through 4 hours of immigration, but it’s ok because I was
finally able to get my passport stamped for Morocco. Once we were able
to leave the ship, our bus guide took a group of 60 of us to the 2nd
largest Mosque in the world.
It
was built in 1989 and completed in 1993 and remains the largest in
North Africa and is the only working mosque in Morocco that can be
visited by non-Muslims. Afterwards we departed to the great city of
Fés, also known as the Mecca of the West. Before we checked into our
hotel, we got to see a palace that was built in the 14th century.
After breakfast, our guide picked us up from the hotel and we embarked on a picturesque journey towards Ifrane, through hills covered informers of cork oak and giant cedar in which the Barbary apes live.
We
then took the scenic route through the Middle and High Atlas
Mountains. Crossing the Tizi-n-Talremt, we descended into a desert plain
along the Ziz valley and headed south towards a huge oasis with over 6
million Palm trees, surrounded by several ksours (fortified villages). 
After
several hours, and I mean several, we finally made it to our hotel in
the desert town of Merzouga, but my journey doesn’t stop there. The
hotel was just for our baggage because we had to venture 1 and a half
hours into the middle of the Sahara Desert by camel that took us to a
Berber camp in the middle of the Erg Chebbi sand dunes. 
Our
evening consisted of stargazing, a Moroccan dinner, and a traditional
music show that turned into a dance party in the desert. We spent hours
just dancing around to the beat of the drum and guitar until our legs
couldn’t dance anymore. The Berbers set up a fire and we gathered
around as they told us more about the Berber culture and way of living.Afterwards we ventured to the top of the dunes to hang out and just reflect on everything. Honestly, there’s nothing as peaceful and tranquil than being out in the middle of the desert, looking up at the stars, and just listening to music. I could’ve stayed up there forever, but they recommended we get some sleep for the next day.
I can definitely cross of waking up at 8 in the morning to go sand surfing because that’s exactly how I started my day.
For having never gone snowboarding in my entire life I actually did pretty good, until I fell of and rolled down the dune. Luckily I wasn’t the only one though. By 9 o’clock we were back on our camels headed towards the hotel where our stuff was to catch the bus to our next destination which was through impressive Todra Gorges, past the eastern slopes of the Atlas Mountains to the Tinehir oasis in the Dades Valley to enjoy some delicious Berber pizza.
My journey continued toward Ouarzazate, going off-road through the Valley of Roses, which is famous for its Rose Festival in May. After several more hours of driving we finally made it to the city of Ouarzazate which is also known as the “Hollywood of Morocco”.
The next morning we headed to the Ben Haddou where scenes from several films including Indiana Jones, Gladiator, the Prince of Persia, and Game of Thrones were filmed. So yes, I walked on the same ground that Khaleesi walked on.
This
place was absolutely amazing. We walked all throughout the village and
got to see all it had to offer. Then we crossed the High Atlas Mountains
through the Tizi’n Tichka pass at an altitude of 7,415 feet, the
highest vehicular pass in Morocco. We ran into a light thunderstorm, but
it was perfect because we saw the coolest rainbow EVER! 
As
we descended, we saw three more rainbows! Halfway down we stopped in a
Berber village that makes Argan oil from the kernals of the Argan tree.
The oil is then used to produce a wide array of beauty products
including hair and face products. But more importantly, it’s used to
make Argan butter spread that honestl puts peanut butter and almond
butter to shame. I also got to try my hand at making some oil and it is
way harder than it looks. 
After more driving we made it to Marrakech, the second largest imperial city in Morocco, also known as “The Pearl of the South”. Once we were there we just explored a tangle of winding streets and alley ways where I got to test out my bargaining skills. Let’s just say nobody’s perfect.
We then made it to the hectic Djemaa El Fna square, which by day is a marketplace, but by night transforms into an open air theatre and a place for non-stop entertainment. We saw snake charmers and acrobatic monkeys, but what they don’t tell you is that they charge you for taking pictures (good think I’m sneaky).
The last day here was very relaxing. We were on the road for a couple of hours on our way back to Casablanca and just explored the city until it was time to be back on the ship. My experience here was definitely one of a kind. Thanks to our phenomenal tour guide, Ahmed, we were able to learn as much as possible about the history of Morocco as well as the culture of the Berber people.
Even though I was only here for 5 days, I gained so much first hand knowledge that the textbooks will never be able to teach. It definitely changed the preconceived idea I had about Morocco and I can truly say that I want to come back here.
As always, for more pictures go check out my Facebook! And if you wanna contact me then download the app “WhatsApp” or email me at: andrew.santiago.fa16@semesteratsea.org
Next stop—-> Dakar, Senegal
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Don't miss the boat!
Read more from Jordan at https://suitelifeofsanti.wordpress.com/
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