We have traveled a lot by car the past 4 days and have gone to so many amazing places with our wonderful guide, Jamal. Here I am with him, trying to look young and fun. Jamal doesn’t have to try to look young or fun because he’s 22 and thus at peak young-and-fun age. When he told us his age, at first I was like–who’s this frat boy that’s driving us around the mountains?–but then I realized 22 in Morocco is NOT the same as 22 in the US. They are, in fact, light years apart. Jamal’s family depends upon him and his income. He’s such a good son and brother, a true example of filial piety. We were lucky to have him as a guide.

Still, he’s only 22, so Jamal’s not really afraid of anything. Garett and I were (appropriately, I think) scared of the Moroccan police, which he thought was a bit silly. When we asked him what he was scared of, he said: “Bad camel milk.” He was drinking camel milk at the time, so I guess it was a good answer. Or maybe he was just trying to get some peace and quiet. I ask a lot of questions.

Our first major stop was the Ait Ben Haddou, a castle along a former caravan route. Most people live on the other side of the river now.

This was also the place where they filmed a lot of the scenes from “Gladiator.” Jamal said that they hired the whole town as extras for the movie. It must have been unbelievable; the people we met all mentioned the movie. Other movies have been filmed here as well and there were pictures of all the different movies on walls throughout the town.

On our way there, we stopped at various points in the Atlas Mountains for photo ops and food.

The next day we visited the Dadès Gorge. Although the river is very low right now, every spring tons of water flows down into it from the Atlas Mountains. The water and the stuff it carries wears away at the walls of the gorge. We spent one night near here.

We had our second night in the desert near Merzouga at a Berber “Camp.” I only put it in quotations because it was shameless glamping in every sense. It was very comfortable and the food was great.

On our way to the camp we rode camels.

An impressive selfie by Garett. Camels generally require both hands so this took a bit of balancing.

As an aside, the camel riding seemed to concern people; we had all sorts of stories about long recovery times and loose saddles. It was pretty much fine for us. They’re a little bumpy going downhill but otherwise about as comfortable as you’d expect. Wouldn’t want to spend the entire day on one, but an hour was fine. So go forth and ride without fear!

Then we climbed a dune just as the sun was about to go down.

This is another wonderful picture taken by Garett just as the sun was setting.

Here’s the Berber Camp. It looks like a little doll village from the top of the dune.

At the camp we got to see the stars in total darkness! There is no taking pictures of them with a phone, so they are just in our memories. So beautiful.

In the morning we woke up early for the sunrise. Garett was a little sleepy since it was early and kind of cold. But it was worth it.

I will post more once I get back to Marrakech; the next one will primarily be about the people we met and our smaller activities during the trip. One other thing.

Look at this sand pattern! Maybe this is what the wind looks like!