Morocco

Morocco on the road

Continue the # roadside notes, a column created on Viaggiare Oltre and Instagram to tell you about the most precious moments lived along the road routes. Acts that are born thanks to changes in direction, gestures and random meetings that disrupt travel expectations and create new memories. This time it is Morocco, the kindness of its people, the proud and well-established Arab culture of the hinterland that wants to stay away from paradoxes and modernizations of the imperial cities.

The Ahmed mines

How not to tell you about Ahmed, a trusted man from the Ouzina Rimal (a refuge in the desert a few steps from the Algerian border) who escorted us through the most difficult off road, in the sandy stretches that separated the dunes of Merzouga from the wildest and most authentic desert 'Erg Ouzina. Arrived at their destination, waiting for other off-road vehicles that would have brought her home, she told us about her life of hard work and sacrifice in the dangerous coal mines that surround the area of ​​Jerada.

For 30 years of his life he has fallen into the dungeons, crawling in holes of 40 centimeters to 30-40 meters deep, without protection, without lighting, challenging death day after day, year after year. Being aware of the risks deriving from his work, in his free time he tried to study foreign languages ​​and to accompany tourists along the dunes, until he was able to count only on the revenue from guided tours and tips of travelers to maintain if himself and his family. And the golden dunes of Erg Ouzina waited for his departure before being traveled: of course, they were there, but they had lost importance.

Mohamed

An integral part of the trip to Morocco were the meetings with the locals and, besides Ahmed, it is also important to talk about Mohamed! Young receptionist at Dar Kamar (riad located in Taourirt, Ouarzazate), impressed us immediately for his extreme sympathy and for the great curiosity he had towards our journey. We went out every night with him and, besides having spent some unforgettable moments laughing and joking, he changed the last stages of the trip to make sure that we visit this place.

A paradise located in Agdz, in the Draa River valley. We had not planned a stop in those parts but as soon as we looked at the images of this oasis surrounded by greenery we have modified the route without the slightest hesitation. For a few tens of euros, we had dinner in the moonlight, slept in a multicolored bungalow and even managed to dive into the pristine waters of the river.

Travel and mirages

The last road notes dedicate them to landscapes, to small villages built with mud, hay and clay on the sides of the road, to those who have enriched with its presence a simple strip of asphalt.