Originally Posted February 21, 2014
Part 1
The sun dances across a barren southern landscape. The sea shimmers flickering diamonds as an invitation to a watery wealth of relaxation. Palm trees sway in tender warmth. Amongst this paradise the soft light discovers the simplicity of a man, sitting alone at a desolate train station, existing in this moment of tranquility. Travel encompassed in a moment. Eyes closed, he breathes in this quietude. The sound of a distant whistle breaks the silence. A subtle rattling of rails. Eyes open, the swinging of a door the final obstacle of a long journey overcome. His comrade had arrived. Friends again reunited in foreign land to write a new chapter in their storied friendship. Yet never had they encountered an adventure as epic as what was to follow.
Found were they, beer in hand, a cheers to salute the prospect of the days to come. Stories flowing like white water rapids to make up for time passed. Excitement boiling over they could not be contained by four meager walls. Millions of rocks setting the stage for a trips perfect beginning. First darkness delivering an unforgettable trifecta of beach, ocean and sunset. A look across the table greeted with a smirk. There it was, ‘their silent understanding.’
First day of full was spent in glorious sandscape. Games, beers, swimming, the days activities summed up in an instance of significance from a man floating in peacefulness, ‘heaven, I’m in heaven’. The intensity of their happiness was met by the force of an unrelenting ocean. Wave after wave, increasing in size only to make them feel a decreasing age. The unabashed joy in life’s simple pleasures. The quintessential end to their day, experienced in what was to become legend. Nay, folklore. The metaphorical building blocks of their timeless friendship taking shape. Displacing one block at a time, they pick away the unnecessary, rid of the nonsense experienced in so many of life’s petty relationships. As with all important connections in this life, a strong foundation crucial. Yet after peeling the years away, left were they with the bare truth of their silent understanding. That beneath everything there exists a loyalty, a brotherhood. This wasn’t a game. This was their friendship, standing the test of time, remaining stronger than ever.
This simple life they were living a true revelation, but two souls bursting for adventure cannot be contained by geography defined as village. Their strides matching their racing hearts as they began a journey fit for fantasy. Onwards. Forwards. Arriving in a city meant only as a layover, they were soon to be embarrassed by their underestimation. ‘Lost’ a relative term, but what some may have viewed as disorientation was simply a fortunately unintentional first glimpse at an unexpectedly alluring city. Though a mere twelve hours, packed was this night with a weeks worth of memory. Beginning with a relaxing immersion of culture, ending in a checking off of a traveler’s to-do list. Though unable to elaborate due to legal precedent, one can imagine the thrill of cuisine consumption without coin commitment.
Awoken by the knowledge of where their heads would lie next, began were they towards the entire intention of their gathering. A short ride through beautiful country delivered them to vessel. Boarded but far from bored. They had waited anxiously for this moment. The moment when they would stand humbled and peer across to the vast unknown of a new seventh. A continent. Africa.
Closer they ventured, anticipation building in their eager hearts. But upon final arrival in this foreign land, they immediately existed as sore thumbs. Large backpacks and fair skin making even the most confident of travelers feeling as tourists. Though a new travel challenge was at hand, there was nothing to dampen their motivated spirits. Submitting deeper into the unknown, found were they in the literal and figurative maze of new culture. Feelings rushing through both, impossible to hide ones eyes foreboding. They placed their fates in one another’s hands and pressed forward. But it was fortune who fell in their laps with the helping hand of a stranger, leading them to intention. Arriving and finally in a state of relaxation, the moons colour matched their passion for this experience. Their passion for travel. Finally. Morocco.
Onward to a city on many a list. A city immortalized by film. Of all the towns in all the cities in all the world, we walked into hers. But before this arrival was a train ride. A train ride powered by perspective. A window framing the film of real life. Where a traveler peering through this window can view a state of living truly humbling. A countryside riddled with buildings in the middle of a barren landscape. A collection of crumbling concrete cubes. Dirt roads paved with garbage. Infrastructure an afterthought. Yet seen over and over again, the skipping record, was neither a negative nor a result of such forces. Instead it was the impenetrable strength of a child. Running through fields meant for specials on the BBC, no. These children would not allow themselves to be victims of circumstance. Instead they rose up, chose childhood over pity and made the best of their situation. These countless smiling faces the true reminder to always remember what is important in this life. To live with happiness at the forefront of any challenge that life throws ones way. To deflect negative attitude and look within ones self for the empowerment of inner strength. We are victims only of our own outlook.
Waking up in the city of reputation. Although the city underwhelming in grand scheme, impossible to miss the grandest of drink themes. Known to all by but an unassuming name. Rick’s. They paying ceremony, a simple nod and a cheers. This leg of their voyage topped off with traditional eating’s taking them back centuries to a welcome state of comfort. An important tick off of one travelers life list and off were they to happenings of next.
Again riding rails, the restlessness in their hearts the bodies’ awareness of the anticipation of experience. Marrakesh was waiting. Arrival to the unfamiliar sounds of foreign that before only existed in fantasy and film. A snake charmers flute, a monkey’s screech, the strumming of a guitar’s distant relative. Was this the pounding of drums existing in their present? Or the pulse reverberating from buildings and streets? Or the pounding excitement in their chests? Ancient lodgings had them resting as princes. Rooftop views enjoying forbidden nectar. Suddenly in this new heightened state they were surrounded by billowing voices emerging from all corners. An overwhelming moment of truly cultural experience. But then swarms of beings flourishing in square, they found themselves caught in the undertow. A swelling smoke originating the only hint of destination. Delectable cuisine enjoyed in proper surrounding, but this was only a precursor for what was to follow. With new friend they shared an international concoction and ventured down a stranger led darkened path only to emerge in the light of memorable experience. Days were spent wandering hours through a labyrinth of beauty. Nights were spent making it a bakers. A time short relative to length of travel, but a continent, a country, a city, made an everlasting imprint on our noble travelers’ soul.
Standing again on deck, he gazed back at the mountains that stood for the last week and a half. He reflected. It was a reflection on life encompassing the teachings from the most meaningful classroom he had ever entered. Travel, a teacher with no remorse in delivering life’s tough lessons. The Moroccan people, kind and welcoming, justified his views on humanity and solidified one of his guiding principles. A smile is the same in every language. When lacking language ability can threaten communication, facial and bodily expression will speak volumes. The simplicity of a friendly gesture can make a speechless moment the most meaningful. Sharing a smile with a stranger who cannot share an understood word is a truly powerful experience. Funny things are funny, regardless of any language or cultural differences. Barriers can be broken by these moments. Our traveler, humble, will forever remember Morocco.
Take care.
No Regrets.
Pete