A Long Time Without A Drink

July 4, 2012 Twenty Eight Years!

My birthday was not all fireworks and excitement. I was rather a calm quiet day, which was how I felt when I was reflecting over the past twenty eight years with Leea over dinner last night. I am comfortable in a way I never dreamed possible and it is a culmination of everything that has happened and everything I have learned over this journey. I am appreciating small kindnesses in a way I never did. I was busy wondering if I was going to get "my share" or if you got more or better. I was focused on what I expected, deserved, wanted, needed, etc. today I seem to be more open to seeing you and what you need or want and to appreciate the love and kindness you show me.

We awoke at four in the morning to get ready for our hot air balloon ride. The man who works at the road (hotel) had croissants, jam and butter, yogurt and coffee ready for us at half past four. Normally breakfast isn't set out until eight! We ate and went out to the end of the street to wait for our driver. The Medina is so confusing that apparently even the locals get lost. While waiting we hear the call to morning prayer from the mosque and some of the prayers from the people praying at home. It was soothing, a communication with a God of their understanding.

Our driver came and picked us up and we headed out of the Medina to Club Med to pick up two others going on the balloon. Yes, they have a Club Med in Marrakech. You would have to see Morocco to understand how weird this seemed to us. Morocco would be described by most as a third world country. Maybe that is where they build Club Meds so the folks feel safe behind the walls with a guard at the gate. The guard we saw didn't look like he could handle any serious trouble, but sometimes safety is just an impression or facade like a Hollywood movie set. Anyway, there are actually two of these in Marrakech, one in the Medina and one outside. We get to Club Med and pick up our travel companions, a British couple, he an investment banker and she something having to do with psychology.

After our stop we head out of The city and soon find ourselves on dirt roads going bumpety bump across the country side. These dirt roads soon turn into goat or donkey tracks and then just disappear all together, but our intrepid driver seems to know where he is going. It turns out this balloon ride is a family business and the family resides in several dwellings out in the middle of no where. There are several little conclaves like this about a mile or two distance from one another. The one we pull up to, which is the center of the balloon operation, has a traditional Berber tent where we are served rolls and coffee while the balloon is filled with enough hot air to lift it into the sky and tilt the basket upright.

I wanted to pee before the balloon ride so I was directed toward the building where the woman of the house handed me a small flash light and directed me to a room with a hole in the ground and a hose. Hmmmm. Well a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do. I'll leave the details to your imagination. I might add the dwelling had no electricity and most rooms lacked a ceiling. From what I saw later this was not atypical.

So when the balloon was ready the crew helped us put our feet in the holes on the side and climb over the side into the basket. The pilot had us practice hunkering down in the basket so we would know what to do in case of a crash and he made some other worst case scenario jokes just to entertain us. The sky was over cast so there was no blazing sunrise, just a soft and gentle lightening of the sky and a gentle breeze. It was really relaxing and calm. As we passed over other houses in the area we saw several people asleep on roof tops. This makes perfect sense if it is hot and you have no air conditioning. If we tried this we would all roll off, but the Moroccans have flat roofs with ledges. It is where they hang their clothes to dry and apparently where they sleep in hot weather.
After the ride we went back to the Berber tent for a traditional Moroccan breakfast cooked by the lady of the house while we were out sailing in the basket. There were pancake like things with jam, honey and olive oil, hard boiled eggs, melons and mint tea and coffee. This was like my third breakfast by this time. Also, there were flies on everything, which is not unusual here. In the markets the meats and other foods are hung on big hooks or cut into slabs and laid on the counters where flies spend the day. I suppose the yuck from the flies gets cooked off, but I'm still not ok with this.

After breakfast we hopped back in the all terrain vehicle and crossed the open plains. We went back to Marrakech for a short dromedary ride. It was just long enough to inform me that I would not want to use this means of transportation across any distance. A horse is much more comfortable. We both realized later this was not a great idea for people with back issues. We went back to our hotels for a rest, then did some more exploration of the souks. We decided to have dinner at the hotel that night and go to bed early. The dinner was once again delicious. I had a clear vegetable soup that was spicy and tasty and a chicken dish covered with vegetables. Very good.