The Joy of Travel
We’re sleeping high above all of the activity that’s about to erupt down in the old town square – Jemma el Fna.
Well, we were sleeping. The abrupt, 5:00 a.m. call to prayer has, just minutes ago, made us hit the roof, so today – like every other day – we’re jumping out of bed and getting some work done before breakfast. We’ve settled into a pattern… a regimen that provides a sense of semi-sanity in the newness and chaos that is Marrakech.
Being so close to the mayhem, we’ll soon start to hear and smell the city come to life. The shrill – and not so hypnotic – sound of the snake charmers’ instruments, the random beating of drums, the cadence of vendors’ coins being rattled and, eventually, the truly hypnotic aroma of incense and tagine-housed Moroccan cuisine.
Things are intense. It’s been a long time since we’ve had this extreme of a travel rush. It’s a welcome reminder of the joy of travel.
Here’s why we do it – this is why “traveling deliriously” is a cornerstone of our No Vacation Required lifestyle:
Few things in life rival what can unfold between the time we leave our room early in the morning…
…and return again, exhausted, late in the evening.
It doesn’t matter where we are or whether or not we are loving it or despising it. To have the freedom to explore – to let a day of whirlwind surprises and discoveries unfold – is the joy of travel.
In a few minutes, stomachs full from our carb-laden breakfast, we’ll leave the serenity of our riad. Who knows what will happen. Yesterday alone we were mesmerized by the robust flavors of a simple vegetable couscous, electrified by the oddly alluring uncertainty of being lost in the streets of the old city and taken aback by a couple of especially determined drug dealers who wouldn’t accept “no” for an answer.
Whatever happens today, we’ll be a little bit different when we again plop down on that bed and – minds racing – attempt to fall asleep amidst the eerie and, at that hour, clamorous final call to prayer. Only to do it all over again tomorrow at 5:00 a.m.
I love that motto “travel deliriously”
enjoy Morocco!
Thanks, Roy – we’re seeing a lot so far!
Wow you get up with the call to prayer? I would wake up, listen to it a bit and then go to sleep.
But I have been getting up with the sun in Maui at 6am and doing to bed at 10pm – I must be getting old!
And it’s probably partially due to the fact that are room in the riad is right below the kitchen, which starts to get active at about the same time.
Enjoy the rest of your time in Hawaii.
Yes! The joys of travel! I too love getting up early on vacations so that I can have a long day at my disposal for exploring things. Nice read as always guys:)
We may be pushing it a bit here in Morocco, as there is so much to see. I think having very little sleep is catching up with us.
I guess we can always rest in Seattle!
Yep! This is what it’s all about. I’d do anything for that freedom
No surprise that you agree, Caz – Isn’t it the best
Good or bad days, they are all completely *new* days. And it’s ADDICTING to have that freedom to choose where you wake up each morning. Why isn’t everybody doing this?
I know travel isn’t for everyone, but I have a hard time not pushing on everyone.
Marrakech is a mesmerizing place, isn’t it?! Hard not to find the joy of travel there!
There’s a lot to take in, for sure! Unlike any place we’ve ever been.
We should be in morroco in a few weeks! Ah I can’t wait!
It’ll be a lot different than Ireland
That early call to prayer is rough. I admire you guys for just getting up when you hear it. In Turkey, I just groaned and went back to sleep.
We’re kinda just “going” with the whole thing. Staying ON TOP of the Jemma el Fna, it’s the best choice.
Got to love that 5 a.m. call to prayer!! Being in the medina, I loved how it echoed within the walls as each mosque began their own call to prayer. So amazing.
It starts to sound like a little competition.
Here in Turkey, I normally wake up around 5am and never need an alarm clock. Maybe it is the call to prayer and I have just become accustomed to it! Also 5am is a great time for taking unusual photos of any destination. Do you find that you get more done in the day, when you wake up at five? I do. Loads more energy and time to explore
Very true! I think we’re getting TOO much done. Exhaustion is starting to set in.
I could not agree with this more, “It doesn’t matter where we are or whether or not we are loving it or despising it. To have the freedom to explore – to let a day of whirlwind surprises and discoveries unfold – is the joy of travel.”
Now, please: MORE PICTURES OF MOROCCO!!!
xo
Coming right up… more pictures.
I should have chose Morocco than Thailand when we had our vacation last December.. But no regrets, I did enjoyed a lot there too! But certainly I will have to be there, if not this year, early next year..
Having been to both, Thailand wins
Don’t feel so bad!
This is exactly how I imagine travel to Morocco would feel, can’t wait to go!
Pictures coming up in the next post!
The joys of travel are many: new sights, sounds, smells, foods and experiences. Traveling to a new place and experiencing a different culture for the first time is something you’ll never forget..
We’ll be down there hopefully in a few weeks and we can’t wait.
Can’t wait to get your take. Maybe by then we’ll have ours figured out
Hi, I’ve just discovered you guys and now I can’t get enough of you!
We too gave up high pressured jobs to live the life we only enjoyed in between work and we haven’t looked back for one second. We now live surrounded by banana plantations at the foot of Mount Teide in North Tenerife.
We were in Marrakech last year, staying in a riad which was a 25 minute hike through the medina, THAT was a test of sense of direction! If you have time, get the coach to Essouira which is really cool and escape to the High Atlas Mountains for a very different side to Morocco.
Anyway, just wanted to say hi and I’ll be watching – stay cool
Your life sounds fantastic! Thanks for stopping by.
You have perfectly captured that feeling of freedom travel brings.
Such a cool photo with the door! It’s such a beautiful architectural moment! I really like those colored glasses and that arabic pattern on the front.
Great post! i am planning to travel with my partner in October this year. I rather suggest to him that we will go to Morocco.I am really excited about the adventure.
I love to read about Marrakech from a visitor’s perspective. I moved here from New York 5 years ago and now I’m running a guesthouse in the Marrakech medina.
Come and visit everyone, it’s a fantastic place!
Hi, Peter – thanks for stopping by. What made you choose Marrakech?