Camel Trek in Merzouga

I have heard a lot of horror stories of riding camels that, bite you, they spit, you get fleas, they are uncomfortable and so on.  Well I finally had the opportunity to experience this for my self.  I was working with a a local Moroccan who coordinates a Canadian nursing student training program that works for three weeks in local clinics and gets practical experience before graduating from their college in Quebec.  They all speak French, of which I speak less than I do of Darija, and trust me I do not speak Darija very well.  The teacher and two of the students spoke English also so that was helpful.  We would like to have them speak about family health at a session for the women Boumia Rug School.  One of the lessons was to attend the surgery center in Errachidia on Friday, then continue on to Erfoud for the weekend to ride camels into the desert for the night.  We would see a sunset and sunrise in the desert.  What an opportunity.  I worked with the program last year and knew the teacher.  They ask if I would like to join them and I accepted.  I could get to operate on someone then go ride camels,  wow what fun.  Can you see me with a scalpel. 
On the way we stopped at a natural hot spring that flowed into the river.

One of our drivers likes to drive with his eyes closed because driving here is so scarey.

The nursing students are fun people too.

I am not sure I can keep up with these Canadians. 
We pulled into town a few hours before sunset and checked the hotel out.  There was a movie being filmed out of here and there were lights and camera equipment all over the back lot.  The director of course asked me to stand in for the star but I said no I already have a job with the Peace Corps.  I gave him my card and told him to call my agent when I get back to the states.  I hope my Mom negotiates a good contract for me.

Off to the camels and out to the desert.  We had one hump camels with a saddle and blankets.  You have to hold on when they stand up because they are kneeling so you can mount then step up with their hind feet first so it throws you forward.  Lucky they have handlebars to hold on to.  After the crew was mounted up we headed out.  Hicham our trip coordinator and the nursing teacher decided to walk as opposed to ride.  Hichem wanted to take pictures and Louiza rode them in the past and swore never to ride those creatures again.  lol.  okay. 

No one fell off and the trip out was awesome, except for the raspberries I got.  I always got those when I rode horses with Wini too.  Riding the camel was not as bad as I was expecting, although it would be nice if they used deodorant, boy do they smell.  They fart the whole way out and trust me it is not to be bottled and sold.  The only life we saw were black beetles running around.  The dunes were beautiful as the sun lowered in the Western sky.  The two hour ride was about all I could take.  Holding on with my legs made my thighs sore.

There were several groups that were going out at the same time but they were headed to different camps so after an hour it was just us and the desert.  It was not hot because it is the spring but I could tell it would be really hot in the summer. 
What I see.

What the camel sees.

We spent the night at a caravan camp oasis in the desert, below a high dune.  It was dark when we got there and the way in was lit with candles.  The sand was covered with carpets and our beds were comfortable and warm.

Dinner was great and the toilets were western style, what a treat.  Small luxuries mean a lot in Morocco.

We had a fire that night and local berber music, with Hichem on the drums.  I slept well in the desert. 

The next morning we got up for tea.  I checked out the boots and skis then hiked the dune in back of the camp.  It was a trek to get to the top, but fun getting down.  As close to skiing as I am going to do here in Morocco.  My tracks were nice.

The ride back took an hour and a half.  Good cause my legs were tired from hiking up the dune and holding on to the camel. 

After our return to the hotel about 8:30 there was a buffet breakfast laid out.  Hichem and Louiza were walking back and had not showed up.  Hope they do not get lost, well time for breakfast.  They rolled in about 1/2 hour later, no worst for wear.  Hicham forgot his phone so we got an extra treat of a ride in the 4x4 out to the camp.  it took us 10 minutes in the car.  After a swim and hot shower it was back to the car and the drive home to the cold cold mountain.

 

On the way we stopped at a shop and a natural grotto with a swimming pool.  There were fish in the pool and birds nesting in the walls.  A neat place.

Everyone had a great time, even the cat.

Started raining after we left the grotto and did not stop for a week.