The countdown has begun . . . a relaxing day at the spa (done), hair cut (done), pedicure (done). Now my time is consumed with the requisite details of life before one leaves on holiday — updating instructions so pups (Simba and Peetie) are well looked after while I am away by niece Taylor, paying bills, leaving lists for the gardener . . . Equally importantly . . . figuring out how to pack smartly. I am so-o-o-o excited!
12:20 AM.
Today marks one-week before the Traveling Nuestas leave for Morocco. Almost hard to believe . . . my dreams have been filled with images of colorful tangines and luxurious flowing caftans. The countdown has begun . . . a relaxing day at the spa (done), hair cut (done), pedicure (done). Now my time is consumed with the requisite details of life before one leaves on holiday — updating instructions so pups (Simba and Peetie) are well looked after while I am away by niece Taylor, paying bills, leaving lists for the gardener . . . Equally importantly . . . figuring out how to pack smartly. I am so-o-o-o excited!
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I am becoming even more excited about my upcoming trip to Morocco. It's hard to believe that after almost six-months of planning and finalizing arrangements, I and three dear friends — sisters of my heart — will embark on a 24-day journey to Morocco! We are the "Traveling Nuesta's" . . . Mama Rosa, Gypsy, Jewel and Prism. [Our route to this exotic part of the world is shown in yellow on the map below.] We are an interesting amalgamation of life experiences, talents and passions — art, antiques, writing, photography, wine-making, bee-keeping, gardening, and adventure — coupled with strong connections to the environment, nature and the sacredness of life.
During our Moroccan adventure, we will be accompanied by Tahar, our personal guide/driver, and travel in a 4-wheel vehicle so we can adjust our itinerary as serendipity beckons. We envision wandering (and becoming "lost") in the maze of ancient serpentine medinas, roaming through souks and mosques, and lingering in UNESCO World Heritage sites and the city of Fes — the world's largest medieval Islamic city. We anticipate awakening each morning to pre-dawn calls to prayer and on occasion ending the day with a soak in a traditional hammam. I am like a kid barely able to suppress my excitement to celebrate my 60th birthday in Fes during their Cultural & Music Festival, see whirling dervishes and snake charmers, have a fortune teller (or two) share how they perceive my destiny to unfold, and have my hands adorned in traditional designs with henna. Our adventure takes us from Casablanca to Rabat and then to Chefchaouen, high in the Riff Mountains where all the buildings are painted the color of the sky. We'll visit (and photograph) Roman ruins in Volubilis and Meknes, and spend several days in Fes before traveling across the High Atlas and the Anti Atlas Mountains to Ifrane, the Ziz Valley, Erfoud, Rissani, Merzouga, and Khemli. We'll camp in colorful tents under the stars above the Sahara Desert, and visit small Berber villages. We'll explore Marrakech, and wind down our holiday in the seaside city of Essaouira. As a child I dreamt that I called together a group of friends and we boarded a plane to embark on an adventure. Like a seed nurtured underground, my dream has grown strong, developed deep roots all these many decades . . . and is now ready to break the surface into the light of day. I hope you will visit my blog from time to time and share this wonderous experience with me! |
AuthorMy "nuesta" name is Prism … and like my name implies, my passion and dedication lie in collecting experiences, internal reflection, and dispersing light in its fullest complement of colors. Archives
December 2014
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