Day 15: The Day of Caca Chanel

Today we woke up at 5 am! So it was an early morning. We had to get up early so we could catch the driver that’s taking us to ballooning. So I’ve noticed that a lot of times in Morocco, the path or route to activities really give off a horror movie/murder vibe. The car ride was in the dark along a bumpy road that was in the farming fields and stuff. And not other cars or anything was around. To sum it up, very murdery.

We got there around 6 and sat down in the tent and ate some breakfast while we waited for the balloons to get ready. They started blowing up the balloons, which were huge, but then the wind changed and it was a very strong change so everybody was scrambling to stop the balloons from being pulled away and avoid be smushed by the balloons. Unfortunately, due to the wind change we waited for about 45 minutes for them to blow up the balloons then make them upright. Once it was all blown up and stuff, we got in. The basket was split into four sections for two people and a little strip in the middle for the pilot and fire.

Once we were up, it was such a cool view!!! You don’t get scared at all about the heights because it just looks like a drone video that’s on Apple TV background. It seems so surreal. The breeze was so nice against the burning inferno that is the balloon fuel. I learned about how to pilot a balloon. You have to learn to read the wind and go up or down to go in certain directions at certain speeds. So basically you’ve really gotta be in touch with your Pocahontas to be a good pilot. I also learned you can stay up in a balloon for 3-4 days and sleep there and everything. That will be my next cool adventure. Hannah be prepared to go up on a balloon hotel. It was absolutely awesome experience!!!

After the balloon, we drove to the train station and took a six hour train ride to Fez. It was long but
surprisingly comfortable. It was like the one I took in France, with a compartment with comfy, big
chairs. Once we got off the train, we went to our hotel to quickly drop off our luggage, then went with our guide to the biggest market in the world. The buildings were very tall and close making all
the streets super narrow.

We went to where they wash and tan all the different leathers. It was super smelly because the leathers were soaked in..... pigeon poop. 1 kilo of pigeon poop was $20, such a
great deal. The guide told us how the workers called the smell, Caca Chanel, instead of Coco Chanel. I thought that was pretty funny, I also was just trying to get away from the smell so pretty much would've agreed with anything they said. I also learned that camel leather is where its at, not cow leather. Also goat leather is used for jackets since its soft and flexible.

After the caca chanel tour, we visited a weaving government place and hung out there for a little. After that we got another henna, because the other one wasn't very good and it was already fading.
The new henna was bigger and more detailed. Unfortunately, once I took it off later, it turned out to not be that good. But its okay, its a henna. Once we finished the henna, everything was a blur. Well more of a blur. After the blur of the market and crowds we finally went back to the hotel to our room that is petite and super cute and cozy.

 

Guides Granddaughter 

 

Caca Chanel 

 

Chickens/roosters in the market 

 

Balloon

 

Village when in balloon


Henna #2 


Comments

  1. Wow! Once again your narrative is the best thing, especially the adjective 'murdery'! Close behind, it was fun to see you wear glasses in a photo, and to see that carboard box village from above. Keep 'em coming!!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I have to admit; I had Emery my Pilates instructor look for “Caca Chanel” on google maps while I was showing him your blog; should have read your entry first. Did Daddy tell you the last time he rode in a hot air balloon was our honeymoon 21 years ago?

    ReplyDelete
  3. Best Sister on the PlanetApril 29, 2019 at 7:23 PM

    THAT HENNA IS INSANE!! OMG it's so pretty. I love it, and I really hope that you paid over $4 for it so that you don't get an allergic reaction (like I did in Egypt). I'm also just surprised that you even know who Coco Chanel is, way to go em! Sounds and looks super cool, and I can't believe we have both been to Africa as children, to different places, at different times. We are a weird family. Anyways, miss and love you lots, I'm bragging about your kick-ass blog to all of my friends, and I can't wait to read more. Love you <3

    ReplyDelete
  4. we were up and out the door by 5:20, careening in the dark bouncing up and down over paved, rocked, dirt, unpaved, grassy, roads to get out to a lovely oasis of tents. there were multiple moments where i thought about what it would be like to live with one kidney, but once we were there it was clear they were not going to harvest our organs. it was either going to be a balloon ride or an indiana jones temple of doom blood sacrifice. they had a lovely breakfast and really good coffee.

    seeing multiple balloons getting inflated in trying conditions in a developing country is good for anyone ever going ballooning. it makes you appreciate regulations, and the FAA, and licensing bodies. it also makes you want to pay rapt attention during the safety talk. there are TWO types of crash positions, one where its fine but not too bad and one where you think why are they showing me this? the pilot was french/spanish, learning arabic. he looked like sydney's age. which is probably how patients felt about me during residency. it was awesome. lots of ti y villages, compounds, and one big place with a pool belonging to the "local tax collector." also, barely any electricity, no water lines, shared bread ovens, but MULTIPLE satellite dishes per earthen hut.

    then the big train ride. lovely. i have NEVER been on a train in the u.s. its totally efficient, cheap, safe, and morrocco has a better train system than anything i have access to. weird.

    the fez medina was mind blowing. 540 acres of walled in city, 20-30 ft high walls; 5-10 ft wide "streets," no motorized vehicles, 250,000 people, 8000 shops, 10000 alleys. why has there not been a jason bourne fight/chase scene filmed here? we spent three hours being led around by abdul hoq, our guide. he was awesome. they had a long con funneling us into his services from the train car. unbelievable commitment. i have no problem being sold on local services if they make the effort and the services are good at a fair price. he brought around his whole family for the full effect. we overpaid for souvenirs, but man he deserved it!

    the hotel, riad al yacout. my favorite on this trip and maybe my whole life. boutique old school morroccan house in the fez medina. internal courtyard, its what i want to live in.


    ReplyDelete
  5. Really sounds amazing. Having read along with these I think Jordan and Morocco have bubbled to the top of my interest lists. I know you liked Greece but for me it’s these two so far. Such great detail in your descriptions.

    ReplyDelete
  6. You should really pursue creative writing! Your flare for expression in your blog is so fascinating to read - not to mention very humorous and entertaining! Gotta say, that hot air balloon sounds like too much fun!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Day 17: The Day of Uncomfortable Naps

Day 14: The Day We Became Zombies

Last Full Day in Houston