Morocco – Days 3 and 4 – Marrakech and the High Atlas Mountains

On Day 4 I had written a great post during my 7-hour car ride from The Atlas Mountains to Meknes. It covered how the palaces and museums I saw related to French colonialism in Northern Africa, and how Yves-Saint Laurent, as a French citizen, got drafted into the Algerian War for Independence, and how that almost destroyed his brilliant career. But how persevered and founded arguably the most successful design label during the 60s, 70s and 80s.

I discussed how African nations have a distrust of the West, and deservedly so using Morocco and Algeria as examples. This is part of the reason that half of African Nations, including Morocco, which is considered an ally of the United States, chose to not condemn Russia for invading Ukraine. And as one Moroccan told me, Morocco also relies on Russia and Ukraine for oil and grain. So, they resent being caught in the middle. 

But somehow, when I went back to post the narrative, it was gone. So, like Hemingway, when his first wife lost all of his early manuscripts, which I am sure were great, my Day 3 and 4 posts are gone forever. 

So, the short version is that I had a great morning on Day 3 in Marrakech, and then headed for the Atlas Mountains to the village of Imlil, where I hiked in the mountains for three hours as detailed in an earlier post. I also met a wonderful family from London at the Kasbah where I was spending the night. I also experienced a Hammam mud bath. 

After breakfast on Day 4 I got my bags and hiked down the mountain to Imlil, where I caught a seven hour ride North to Meknes, the fourth imperial city. The other three are Rabat, the current capital, Marrakech, and Fez, our last stop in Morocco.  During the drive we passed through Casablanca and Rabat, before arriving at the Château Roslane, located on a sprawling vineyard tucked away in the Moroccan countryside near Meknes.  After spending some time at the pool, I met my good friend Pete for dinner. It was good to see him again. 

Maybe more history later. And maybe not. I will finish with this thought. A guide was already paid for to get me down from the Kasbah to the village to meet my ride. But sometimes it is ok to not do or consume something that is already paid for. I can list many examples. In this instance, this trip has been so curated that I wanted to just put my backpack on and walk down to the village by myself without a damn babysitter. And it was nice taking a leisurely walk down the mountain to enjoy the crisp Moroccan morning air, just like my walks back home with Emmy Lou.