Turbulence under Sunny Skies / A Disappearance
Trip Start
Feb 16, 2006
1
10
17
Trip End
Feb 28, 2006
Loading Map
Map Options
Show trip route
Hide lines
Marrakech,
Morocco
Friday, February 24, 2006
Marrakech - Midnight
I rise early to do a hotel inspection, and am blown over at breakfast by the news that one of my tour members has decided to leave the tour early. It is difficult for me to hear without feeling like a failure, but he assures me his decision has nothing to do with me personally, but is more a general feeling about the group. It breaks my heart, but there is nothing I can do to dissuade him.
John and I race to the alternate hotel that has 13 rooms available, and I see that it is very large and sprawling, and is getting a little tattered around the edges. But where it has it all over last night's new and modern hotel is that there is a sense of life and vibrancy about the place, whereas the other was lacking all coziness and charm and was more sterile in an ornamental sort of way
01 New Hotel
. The grounds are beautiful, with an outdoor pool in a large inner courtyard. There is also an indoor pool, a spa and exercise room. We see the location of the bar, and look over a breakfast buffet that is superior to the offering at the previous hotel. I decide to book it, and we race back to the other hotel to inform the clients to get their luggage ready to check out of their rooms.The hotel manager is not very nice about us canceling the reservation and leaving, but we are already almost out the door. A quick swing by the new hotel has us drop our luggage as we commence our tour of Marrakech. Initial feedback from the guys is positive, and I think everyone is in better spirits-especially now that the sun is shining!
First stop is the beautiful Koutoubia Mosque, where take photos with the traditionally costumed water sellers and have our last group photo with all members present (the one departing early stays with the tour until just before lunch, then takes a taxi back to the hotel). Continuing on by bus we visit the Bahia Palace, a classic example of the architecture and decorative arts of Morocco.
We drive to the ancient city reservoir where some hop a camel for a photo
02 Koutoubia Mosque
. The area affords breathtaking views of the snow-covered High Atlas Mountains. I have pizza during a lovely outdoor luncheon, grateful for the break from traditional Moroccan cuisine. Then comes the day's highlight-the walking tour through the old Medina, ending in the famous Djemma el Fna square.Along the way our guide took us to visit the herbal shop for a presentation on the various traditional spices and remedies created in Morocco. I purchase some wonderful Almond skin cream and an exfoliating scrubber similar to those used in the Hammams.
The group continues on towards the square, rounding one corner after the other. We have been warned to stick together and save our shopping to another day, but somehow along the way we lose a member of the group. This is a cause of quite some concern, and our guide hastens back the way we came to see if he can find him. Mohammad has no success, so we have no choice but to continue on our way to the square, hoping that the man will find his way there and we will be lucky enough to espy him. No luck. We spend a free period wandering the square and enjoying all the amazing entertainment, but our lost soul does not materialize.
What follows is a period of rather nervous phone calls and visits to places where we think he might be, finally ending at our hotel so that everyone can get into their rooms. I drop things off and return to the lobby with my computer intending to email my office to alert Jonathan to the situation. Through a stroke of good fortune, however, the client is reconnected with our guide. I'll get the full story on the bus tomorrow, but the important thing is that all are reunited for dinner at the hotel.
After another night of little sleep, I must now say "adieu" until tomorrow.
Big hugs,
Dan
