31 January 2025 – Friday – Marrakech

We knew there had been a snowstorm in the Atlas Mountains yesterday. There was a chance that the road over the highest pass at 2269 meters. As we boarded our bus at 8:30, we were told that the pass was open. There is no turning back! 

We began the climb up the mountains and were stopped in a long line of cars and trucks a few miles from the highest point. Abdou got out to investigate. He called back to our driver telling us to join him and walk up the road to our nuss nuss and bathroom stop. It was nearly a mile uphill to a cafe at 6500 ft. As we neared our cafe destination the traffic began to move. We needed to avoid the icy road spots and traffic until we reached the cafe which had a very icy parking lot. We made our way into the cafe as our bus arrived behind us. The snow covered towns and mountains were beautiful. The locals are happy because it will give them water in the spring. 
When we reached the highest point we came across snowplows and an icy winding road. Our driver made his way slowly through the mountain road which became clear as we descended. 

Then as the road seemed dry and clear we were stopped again by an accident. Apparently a truck and bus had both slid across the road blocking traffic in both directions about 3 miles further down the mountain. The police were able to get one lane open but we had to wait for traffic coming uphill. We finally stopped for lunch at 2:45. 

After lunch we continued down to Marrakech which took about an hour with traffic increasing as we reached the city. I guess I imagined a very different place than what we saw as we arrived. It’s a big city that is extremely busy with all sorts of traffic including horse drawn carriages, motorcycles, buses, cars and pedestrians crossing at any opportunity. We got off the bus at the edge of the main square to walk through the square filled with tourists from many countries and into the narrow streets that led to our Riad. The riad was also very different from our previous experience as it had a marble entrance hall and many chandeliers in main rooms and bedrooms. It had been 3 houses put together. Rooms were in all different parts up narrow winding stairways. Bags were delivered. We had about 30 minutes to settle in before going out for horse drawn carriage rides through the poshest section of the city. It is clearly the most upscale place we have visited. 

We walked back through the marketplace to see some performers and food stalls. I got a chance to dance with a belly dancer who was a veiled man. Lots of laughs. 
We made our way back to our Riad for a light dinner. Several of us tried to go to a jazz bar down the street but we were turned away since we didn’t have a reservation. Abdou tried to intervene for us. We just didn’t want to wait until they had a table. So we came back to my room and drank wine. It was a good solution. 
Tomorrow we get a different taste of the city.