One Way Ticket

We were in Marrakesh six nights. We had five full days to orient ourselves and to become comfortable in this environment. Arriving in Marrakesh, we felt very intimidated by the traffic and very uncertain about finding our way in the Medina. After exploring step-by-step further and further into the maze of the inner city, we became confident and oriented. The place began to feel comfortable and fun. This transition could not be done in a short period of time and so we are very glad that we had scheduled five full days here. 

 The Mosaic Hostel Marrakesh was clean and quiet. Staying in the Hostel heightened our experience because we had interesting conversations with young adventurers, students and a wandering Australian among others. Often the discussion, after establishing where we lived back home, is how long will you be traveling and where are you going next. The length of our journey is often discussed, both pros and cons. The idea of not having a definite finish to the journey which creates a peculiar psychological state is an expression of great freedom for Louise but which, however, creates some stress and anxiety for Chuck because of the disconnect from what appears to be the inability to go home. And so we have spent some time looking at what maybe the journey after Sri Lanka and the way across the Pacific. Being here in Marrakesh all these days have given us the time needed to do this planning and applying for an electronic visa for India. We anticipate a really different mode of exploration in the coming weeks as we become captives in a prearranged touring package and no longer doing it on our own as we have in Portugal and Morocco.

When we were in the desert, we met a couple who live in the Maldives. They have given us insight into the possibility of staying there after Sri Lanka. We are in the process of finalizing that possibility. We look forward to becoming beach bums for a week after our tours in India and Sri Lanka. Beyond that it’s all still a discussion.