Going to Morocco

I am going to Morocco on Friday. For vacation. I am travelling solo and am excited at the prospect of actually being in Morocco, even if it's just a for a week or so. A change of scenery after 6 months in Freetown is badly needed. Also, a friend whom I studied with in Australia will be there and I am equally excited to be seeing her again after many months. I don't really have a plan for Morocco. No. I decided I don't want to have one. I'm just going to take it easy and see what comes. For now, in my head, Morocco conjures images of dusty souks, camel treks in Zagora (yes, I want to take that camel ride!), the famous Djemaa el Fna in Marrakesh with storytellers and snake charmers and even skiing somewhere in Ouka'meden... ooh..

This is a well-needed vacation away from Freetown and the stress. Yes, life here in Sierra Leone can be stressful sometimes. Even getting to the airport is a lot of effort. I actually have to leave my house 12 hours before my flight. Here's why: The helicopter don't work no more due to registration issues as they say although the condition of those things is very questionable, the hovercraft sank months ago, the new boat at Aberdeen is unreliable (they got stuck somewhere cause they don't have fuel I hear!), and the ferry is on the other side of town (or what we call the dodgy side of Freetown although I really like it) and you have to take a fair bit of time to get there with traffic considerations and driving around to Lungi Airport can take about 4 hours on not-so-great roads.

So... considering my flight leaves so early in the morning, I have to leave the day before. Sigh. But I am leaving with a friend, who's been staying with us and who's heading back to Bolivia. Least there's company.

I don't suppose one week in Morocco is enough. But it will have to do for now.