Where they cut off your ear if they don't like your face

It's barabaric, but hey, it's home!

Yes those are the original lyrics to Arabian Nights from Aladdin. Which we attempted, sadly, to sing on our two hour camel trek this weekend.

So we had a big three day trip to the Sahara this weekend with the language school. I was beyond pumped for it because the first summer session said it was totally worth it and that it would be like the best time ever in Morocco. While it was new and interesting, best time ever is not how I would explain it. It was definitely an experience that I will probably never be able to have again and years from now will be glad I went. Right now I am beyond happy to be back in Fes, and faraway from the Sahara.

We left Friday after the first set of classes ended. I moved out of my homestay, totally skipped class for no other reason than the fact that I felt like it, and got on a mildly air conditioned and very tight fitting bus to Erfoud. The ride wasn't too bad. Our driver was actually not crazy for Moroccan drivers and minus a little air flow and leg room problem the trip seemed good thus far.

We got to our first hotel which was absolutely amazing. It was in a small little town just outside the true Sahara. We were greeted by music and dancing Berbers. The hotel had a n amazing pool area and the rooms were exquisite. We hung out by the pool before having a buffet still dinner with Berber music and camels. Minus the mass mosquito infestation, it was really a good night. After dinner everyone went swimming with the exception of me and my amazing but equally lame roommate who after an intense political convo at dinner went to bed. It was so nice to sleep in and have a real, hot shower for once.

The next day we left at around noon for the actual Sahara. We stopped for a tajine lunch and some water before going to our second hotel in Merzouga. The hotel was literally in the middle of nowhere. The landscape was black rock covering sand and it was extremely winding. After a little while of this there was a hand painted sign for our hotel and we took off through this rock. There seemed to be a path at one point but due to the wind it was blown over. After awhile of driving to what appeared to be no where we hit our hotel. It was really nice too, though because of the wind storm we went straight inside.

After hanging out for a few hours, wind storm and all we went to board our camels. We went on a painful two hour plus camel trek to the oasis. We had an almost spill pretty early and then two people feel off halfway through when Andrew's saddle broke. He flew down a dune and the camel followed suit. It was actually really disturbing. the second person fell as a result of quickly trying to get off her camel which was tied to Andrew's. Other than that and the uncomfortable saddles the ride wasn't too bad despite the wind storm.

Once at the oasis we had dinner and music. We all had tents but they were so hot most of us pulled our mattresses out into the open air and slept. The wind persisted most of the night but finally ended just before sunrise. We had to ride the camels back. I was beyond sore but I rode side saddle so it wasn't too bad. Then we showered and drove home.

All in all, I'm sure I'll be glad I did it but not the amazing experience everyone sad it would be. I can't believe people actually chose to live in climates like that.

-Jescie