Let’s Catch Up

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Welcome to my favourite post of the week…Let’s Catch Up!

This week was one of the most memorable of my life for two main reasons. The first, I turned the big 3-0 and the second, I celebrated my birthday in the middle of the Sahara Desert with a Nomad family, during an epic desert tour adventure (but you will have to stay tuned for more on that in the near future).

 

While I process the events of the last few days, here’s what else is on my mind…

This Canadian kid was not built for the Marrakesh heat.
Holy shit. It is hot. Yesterday, it was 42 degrees, not a cloud in the sky and not even the slightest of breeze. Now, by no means am I surprised – I expected it to be hot (desert climate and all) but I was unprepared for how energy sucking the heat is. I feel like I need a nap after every excursion (short and long), even if they’re not strenuous. I’m really enjoying the city – there is so much to see and do. I don’t think I would survive an extended stay here, though, especially in the summer when they say it can get as high as 55 degrees C (130F).

I will never look at the stars the same again.
I am worried that every time I look at the night sky from now on, I will be disappointed. There is nothing more beautiful then the stars as seen from the desert. I lay on my back facing the sky for hours every night wishing on more shooting stars then I ever imagined being able to see, witnessing countless satellites orbiting the earth at rocket speed. It is one of those moments in a person’s life when you truly feel connected to the greatness and splendour of the universe.

Andy bought linen pants and life is forever changed.
It was suggested that we bring some light clothing for the desert trip. Andy was determined to find a pair of linen pants, and I don’t blame him; they are necessary. However, what I didn’t expect was the immediate bond between a man and the light, airy feel of linen. All I know is that I am going to have a hard time getting him to wear “big boy” pants again.

The cell service is better in the Sahara Desert then it is in Canada.
So here we are, wandering the desert with a Berber man on our way to meet his family and have lunch, literally in the middle of nowhere. It’s about an hour into our two hour camel ride and we can see nothing but sand dunes and… more sand dunes. Then, all of a sudden a cellphone rings and the man answers it, while guiding our camels, and proceeds to have a casual conversation with a friend. What the hell?! I can’t even get my cellphone to work in parts of downtown Vancouver, but in the middle of the Sahara Desert, no problem apparently. Technology has reached farther than most of us know.

I had the best nachos EVER in Sitges
They were so good I dragged Andy there for a second round. We had them paired with a goblet of G&T at Jalapeños Tex Mex in Sitges. On our first visit, the service was awful and the food took forever. But once we received the nachos, none of that mattered. They were loaded! They were so loaded that I wished I had more chips. I’m sure we can all agree that receiving a platter of nachos with not enough “stuff” is one of the greatest hardships of life, but at Jalapeños, you don’t have to worry about that.

Random Bonus:

There’s a turtle on the roof.
I’m writing this from the roof top patio of our Riad in Marrakesh. No one is up here other than me, but as I turn my head I notice there’s a turtle. He’s eating some of the plants. I’ve been up here many times, and have never seen a cage for an animal, or heard about a turtle being on the property so how this turtle ended up on our third floor rooftop is beyond me. Is finding a rooftop turtle good luck, do you think?

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As the week rolls on, lots of exciting things are in the pipeline. What’s on your mind?

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2 Comments

  1. May 12, 2015 / 4:05 pm

    The turtle is definitely GOOD LUCK! Where does he get his water?

    The African desert cell phone reception is hilarious!

    • wanderbeforewhat
      Author
      May 12, 2015 / 4:14 pm

      Hi! I asked the owner and he said the turtle was here when they bought the place, so they feed it water and some food everyday and he seems happy up on the roof. Cute little guy too!
      ~Sarah

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