A Moroccan Christmas

Since moving to Spain more than four years ago, I've spent Christmas in Seville with Anna, in Denver, and in Barcelona - once with Anna and once with my whole family. This year flights home were extra expensive and I knew I wouldn't have any visitors to Barcelona, so I decided to make Christmas a bit of an adventure! I was looking for a country I hadn't seen and something that was a bit more physical (that time on the Camino was really motivating!). After lots of searching, a week trip to Morocco in order to do some hiking in the High Atlas Mountains seemed like the perfect fit.

It's hard to believe, but this was the first trip I'd taken on my own since moving to New Zealand back in 2002!  I knew Morocco wasn't a place I wanted to explore completely by myself, so I opted for a trip through Intrepid Travel, a company a number of friends had used before. The "Atlas Panorama" included a few days in Marrakech, then 4 nights/5 days in the High Atlas Mountains.

Upon arrival in Marrakech (during the middle of the Casablanca/Bayern Munich Moroccan World Cup Final), I instantly felt that I'd been knocked a bit outside of my comfort zone! The differences in language, people, culture, religion - everything! - were instantly clear. And although this was uncomfortable, I also loved it. I think it's so healthy to be outside of one's comfort zone -- this is when growth happens.

Jamaa el Fna, the main square in Marrakech, is full of action!

I have to admit that I fell in love with Morocco. The energy and craziness of Marrakech was exciting to be a part of; the flavors and spices of foods were such a welcome and delicious change; the people could not have been kinder and more welcoming; the landscape was varied and gorgeous. It was great to spend a week eating healthy food, getting lots of exercise, and not drinking - the opposite of a typical Christmas holiday!

Mountains, rivers, hills, rainbows - wow!

 I think my photos (see right sidebar) give a pretty clear picture of the trip. What they don't show as clearly are some of the great people I met on this trip. There were 16 of us total - ages 21-71, coming from countries like the US, Australia, Ireland, England, Finland, and Malta. What a mix! This group provided lots of laughs and some amazing stories. Many of them were so fit - I can only hope to be in that kind of shape a bit later in life! It was quite inspiring. I have no doubt that I will cross paths with some of them again in the future.

most of the group on one of our shorter hikes

 Although I missed my family a lot this holiday, I'm so glad I decided to spend Christmas 2013 in Morocco. I was able to see a new country (one which I will definitely return to), experience a bit of disequilibrium, spend lots of time in nature, and meet some really great people. I wonder what Christmas 2014 will hold . . .