Morocco, a land of mysteries and stories

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 By Norma Hopcraft

I feel so exotic -- I'm writing to you from Rabat, capital city of Morocco. I will meet my tour group here at approx. 5 pm. My sister arrives from Marrakech then too!

I hear a demonstration of some sort down the street from the hotel. But I've heard that Moroccans like their king. A taxi driver told me, "He's friendly." I don't speak Arabic so I don't know what the discontent is about.

French is spoken here too, so I trot out my French. When people hear my American accent, they want to practice their English, so they switch to English. It's, like, impossible to switch it back to French! Sigh...I'm the one who took the trouble to cross an ocean, so I ought to be the one who gets to practice their foreign language, don't you think?

I hope you have a chance to do as much travel as you would like. Getting to Rabat yesterday required taking a journey with five legs in it -- three by plane and two by train. It was a bit much. But after a great night's sleep, I am adjusted to my new time zone today.

To prepare for this trip, I read two wonderful books set in Morocco. Please read The Caliph's House, about a year spent in Casablanca reconditioning an ancient palace, and In Arabian Nights, both by a great writer, Tahir Shah. They are recent books and give so much insight into the people and the culture. The books have so many stories in them -- story is what I've been working at and studying about for three-and-a-half decades.

He talks about Morocco having underground streams -- not of water but of stories. Of mysteries. It's true, I feel it!

Here are my first photos from Rabat.

This is Avenue Mohammed V, a place where Moroccans stroll with their families of a pleasant evening.

This is a government building (Rabat is the capital city). Bird of Paradise flowers (orange) are in the garden, growing here just because they can. 

A hidden, secret courtyard.

The change of guard at the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, father of the current king.

Built in the 11th century, this is the Tour Hassan.

A Moorish doorway at the mausoleum.

I do love a Moorish doorway.

Details from the Tour Hassan.

The guard at the mausoleum. The poor horses were being plagued by flies on their faces. I wish the soldiers could hold a brush for the flies instead of a spear.

Very different look than the famous guard at Buckingham Palace.

I went to the Atlantic Ocean in Rabat to do a ritual I've done in the Pacific, the Mediterranean, the Atlantic at various points, the Caribbean: I roll up my pants and get my feet wet, no matter what the season, no matter how cold the water is, and re-dedicate myself to two things: Jesus and writing.

There were lots of women surfers at the beach! I didn't expect that in Morocco, where some women are in Western dress, some in scarves, and some covered except for a slit for their eyes. The surfing women wear a wetsuit and tie a long piece of fabric over it!

How about you? What travel plans do you have? What impressions do you have of Morocco? Comment below and I'll be sure to reply!