Action and Neil Diamond
Trip Start
Feb 07, 2009
1
30
41
Trip End
Mar 19, 2009
Ait Ben Haddou,
Morocco
Monday, March 9, 2009
Next stop some local markets where we bought bananas and peas (11dhs a kilo) and 2 more bangles. Stopped at a bank so Mike could change some money - luckily he was able to change our ripped and stuck back together $100 note, so he came out smiling. Ate some of our stuff in the bus as we drove along. Scenery was just beautiful, desert like landscape with stunning, snow covered mountains in the distance.
Lunch stop was Ourzazate the movie capital of Morocco where movies like Gladiator, Kingdom of Heaven, Babel have been filmed. The restaurant that Abdul took us to was upstairs and freezing and we couldn't really find any vegetarian options, so Mike, AJ and I decided to try a small local cafe across the road. We had the best meal - soup, freshly cooked chips (not like the greasy, day old ones we've had previously) and the best fresh orange juice (so good we had 2 glasses each).
We wandered through a local market with antiques as well as pottery etc then back in the bus to visit another handicapped association - this one does artificial limbs and works with people affected with polio. I loved the pottery and bought 3 pieces for only 105 dhs.
Buying fruit and veg at the local market
Back on the bus again for another drive to our overnight stop - Ait Benhaddou. We stayed in a small hostel run by Hussein (nicknamed Action because he has been an extra in 10 movies filmed locally - including Jewel of the Nile, Babel, Gladiator) and his family (baby Action, sister Action). We dumped our bags in our rooms (we had an amazing view over to the Kasbah, the bathroom had a timber door and ceiling and the sink was tiled with stones) and headed up to the roof for mint tea.
We headed down with Abdul and Action who pointed out the gate which was used in the movie Jewel of the Nile (or Neil Diamond according to Action). We then had to cross a creek to get across to the Kasbah. A few of us took our shoes and socks off completely, rolled up our pants and waded across, which turned out to be the best way as Sharon and English Mike ended up falling in and got their shoes wet. Some of the local kids were doing a good business helping tourists get across.
The Kasbah is the most exotic and best preserved in the Atlas region and it was a nice walk. We climbed up the hill at the back to the ruins of the fort for an amazing view (and of course photos and another happy dance). Wandered back down the Kasbah again past little market stalls back down t the creek for another crossing and back to Action's place.
We then sat downstairs next to the kitchen and had a cooking demo by Action and his sister who showed us how they make tagines and couscous (a slow, tedious labour intensive process I don't think I'd have patience for). Mike kept eating all the carrots and capsicums. Dinner was delicious - soup and tagines.
