A later start than I anticipated, Zach informed me it was 9:30; although I had changed my watch per my pilot, and believed it was 8:30, I changed my watch again. e had a quick breakfast (and I food that would make me sick for the next 6 days) walked northwest to a delightful outdoor cafe along the main strip, before proceeding on our one-hour tour to a lunch destination on the outskirts of the medina.
We strolled through a recently completed park and zig-zaged our way along quieter and narrower streets until there it was - camel burger calling.
Following our leisure lunch (and being one hour behind - more later....) we began our trek to the hotel. After a few detours... upon arrival we met Ben and Erica, whom had both arrived just a few hours earlier. With snow delays were were only awaiting four more arrives before our 5:30 departure for an evening in the Medina - the old city center.
As everyone filtered in, we met Lahcen - who would become our partner in crime over the next nine-days. In the midst of our argument over what time it was and realizing we had lost an hour, Lahcen explained that just two-days before the time change, the King had decided Morocco would not change time (like most of Europe); being such short notice, the cell phone networks and airlines weren't fully caught up.
BRIEF HISTORY - Since 2012, the Berbers (or Amazighs) have been coming out of marginalization, and are the original inhabitants of Morocco and other North African regions. Even with the Muslim invasions of centuries past, and Arabic being the official language - that of the ruling party - the Amazighs have remained present outside the cities; they make up roughly 70% of the population. Today, the Amazighs language is recognized by the Moroccan government and is taught in school alongside Arabic, a part of their required curriculum.
MEDINA TOUR - culture trip, food stands, dinner (for a king), and tea*. The crystal additive - 1/4 size a grain of rice - we all accepted packed enough punch to clear all congestion instantly, heighten your alertness, and make you cry like a sack of onions being tossed at you. Still not sure whether the tears were those of joy or sorrow.
We closed our evening with drinks at the hotel, gained another traveler (Gilbert, whom had arrived while we were at the Medina) and now only awaited two participants.