Spellbound
by Lena
Fes, Morocco
Must admit – I love trains!
For me, it’s the most sensual way of travel.
I always find myself being taken by the sound of the tracks, the scenery and the fascinating stories that trains hold…
It’s a place where I feel like the road doesn’t have to end. That this life on the road is both, my salvation and my curse…
My friend once said;
” You will always be everywhere and nowhere ” – D.P.
He might be right.
However, even 1 second of being lost in this ecstasy, is worth the whole damn eternity in nowhere…
Road is honest, it doesn’t need your flattery. It doesn’t care how much money you make, what kind of a car you drive and when you’re getting married.
It’s proud and endless. It will never judge you, based on your religion or color.
Road is a place, where my soul gets to sing…
~
The train ride from Marrakech to Fes is beautiful!
Trains in Morocco are really comfortable and the price you pay for first class is not much more than the other tickets.
One of the first things I did in Fes, was go out and buy some Chebakia… it is simply heaven!
Even though my waistline was not happy… I was!
Chebakia is one of the best Moroccan sweets. It’s a cookie with sesame and honey. A must try!
Met a group of gals from Britain, with whom I went to explore this narrow and mysterious maze of Fes.
As usual, had some guy following me around… He just kept walking next to us, while trying to proclaim his eternal love to me.
Gals were all laughing and kept saying that I should tell him to go away.
I thought it was great that we had our own personal bodyguard, in a city, that has some 10 year old’s slapping you on your butt. ( happened to one of the girls )
Fes is really beautiful. It’s very similar to Marrakech and very different at the same time.
What I will not miss, is going to see the tanneries. If it was not for the mint leaves, I would probably have passed out from all the smell.
Guess if you work there, you get used to it.
Crashing into a hammock was a perfect ending to a long day.
Gals and I were all relaxing on the rooftop and watching a very beautiful sunset.
However, as one of the girls was taking pictures of me, she sat on a glass table. Seconds later we all heard a very laud sound…
The glass on the table basically exploded…
I think everyone in the hotel heard the hysterical laughter coming from the roof.
Next morning I took the bus to Chefchaouen. It so happens that on that same bus, was another girl from UK, Lisa, whom I also met in my hotel.
It turned out that after a few days in the “blue city”, she was going to Tangier… and so was I.
Me & Lisa “clicked” right away. We laughed, shared food and talked about Morocco.
We didn’t make any specific plans to meet in Chef. It was a “I see you, when I see you” type of plan.
I said goodbye to her, knowing, that Life will do the rest.
It always does…
_____________________
The woman behind the words …
↓
The road is the only place where truth abounds. It is personal and communal at once; I find myself in finding others; I meet myself in the stories others tell. The road is both loneliness and companionship, and I love it with all my heart. Keep travelling…
Love it!! :)
Train travel is so soothing and relaxing – puts me to sleep! Thanks for an interesting post.
Starter. Amateur blogger. A little support and audience for my blog site would be helpful.
http://hizzamsblog.wordpress.com
Thank-you. :)
I love the idea of collecting memories instead of things. We all have way too many things!
Love it! You are so right…… Love the approach, love the way you write and love the pics. Good luck and safe travels.
Thank you for stopping by :-)
I, too, love the train and the road as the passage of time slows to a pace that I can embrace. It’s not so much a matter of getting to someplace else as it is a matter of experiencing the getting to anywhere.
I’ve always wanted to go to Morocco! Thanks for your story and photos!!
I love trains too, it’s my favourite way to travel. What a lovely post, and I really liked the images too. Thanks for visiting my blog!
I enjoyed the photos – like peeping through windows into the country.
love the blog! absolutely stunning. Thanks for the follow :)
Wanna have dinner together next time you’re in Rabat?
if it will consist of Shebakia, then YES! ))
I’ll find the place where they make the best.
deal!
Another way to contact me is through FB, look for Ququ1337 . . . yellow profile pic.
Good night, and maybe we’ll see each other soon.
Making a list having read your beautiful post.
1.organise adoption of kids.
2. divorce husband
3. find you!
this is one of the most funniest comment on this blog! ))) When I’ll make a post about my fav. comments on this blog.. this will be in it.. with a link to your blog.
love,
Lena xoxo
am slowly converting the world to irish. ‘Go raibh mile maith agat’. or a thousand thank you’s, But am still dumping my family! look out. Seriously I did love your posts. very well done. I can’t even do links!!!!
great pics
Beautiful, not just the photos and words, but your passionate soul that sets it all in motion.
Thank you for the visit to my blog. Some interesting material here.
You truly are inspiring!
You truly are inspiring. self made and confident.. every girl’s wants to be you…
Love your post Elena!
Why do you find it sensual? What aspect of a train can make it sensual.
I see world as a very “sensual” place .. everything I do, is being led by senses.. when I eat, i don’t just mindlessly gobble the food and wash it down with coca cola.. I savor every single bite.. same with travel and especially trains.. the sounds and scenery on a train is much more sensual then a sound or visual aspects of a car or a plane… to me, that is. If you have been reading my blog, then you can see, that I also write from the soul and my senses, not from some bullshit text book on how to write a blog or a book… that’s why I guess so many people enjoy reading it. I don’t just live life… I make love to it.
I see what you mean now. When described in this way it makes sense. I do read your blogs regularly. The word sensual has been downgraded in north American vernacular to its more colloquial association with something sexual. And thus my initial knee jerk association with that. But yes, anything involving 5 senses is sensual and thus everything is sensual.
I love travelling on trains as well! It’s so soothing somehow…. Have never been to Morocco; hopefully will do so one day. Love your photos! Thanks for stopping by my blog!
It is a pleasure share part of your beautiful trip and impressions. Thanks for that. Be safe and enjoy.
Enjoyed your blog, I dream of doing as much. I hope my writing makes people feel the way yours did me.
I always look forward to each adventure, you paint such evocative word pictures of your journeys and the photos in the circles just complete the tale. Stay safe my friend till the next time we hear from you
ciao! it’s about the journey…anywhere/everywhere, and you are going full circle. brava.
thebestdressup
“The road doesn’t care what car you drive…if you’re getting married.”
Loved that line.
Thanks for stopping by and giving me a LIKE!
Love your adventures–intriguing shots!
Elena, enjoyed your blog so much and the way you present your photos. It re-kindle my desire to go to Morocco. I wanted and ready to go 4 years ago, just before the celebration of my Big O, that I chose to celebrate with a Morrocan theme. I wanted to get ideas and pick up some items to create the right ambience. Well, the tour was sold out and I did not get to go.
Your blog certainly inspire me to plan a trip to Morocco, and will certainly consider taking the train.
Wish you many more happy travels.
Lena
Such a great post. The pictures from your travels really compliment your message. I am so interested in traveling but I finances are a problem. How are you able to finance your travels? I would really appreciate any tips :)
i hope this helps a bit – /2011/11/15/usa-solo/
all my love,
lena
ps – when travel is a priority number 1, you’ll make it happen ..
Really great post! As if I needed any encouragement, this post makes me want to get up and travel again NOW! Awesome :)
Dear Elena, I agree with you about trains. When I was 9 yrs old my parents took my on a 1 week overhaul train ride some 2000km. We played cards together and ate when i was awake, I slept most of the time…I mean 90% of the time.
As an adult I have travelled from the Hokkaido to Kyushu by train many times. I agree that they are journeys of the senses… “scapes”; Landscapes, Culturscapes, Peoplescapes, Lifescapes, Escapes…
Yes trains are sensual….One of my first loves came true because of trains. We would travel 250km for each of us coming from opposite directions. We would meet at the station in the middle. Some days we would travel together and when we knew our final train journey was coming, I sang to her this song on the last Shinkansen from Nagoya to Yokohama some 25 years ago (Originally penned by Kristofferso):
Don’t look so sad, I know it’s over.
But life goes on, and this old world will keep on turning.
Let’s just be glad we had some time to spend together.
There’s no need to watch the bridges that we’re burning.
Hold your warm and tender body close to mine.
Hear the whisper of the raindrops,
Blowin’ soft against the window,
And make believe you love me one more time,
For the good times.
I’ll get along; you’ll find another,
And I’ll be here if you should find you ever need me.
Don’t say a word about tomorrow or forever,
There’ll be time enough for sadness when you leave me.
Lay your head upon my pillow.
Hold your warm and tender body close to mine.
Hear the whisper of the raindrops,
Blowin’ soft against the window,
And make believe you love me one more time,
For the good times.
I was 20 at the time…Keep dancing ! Keep living ! Make your Papa proud !
Reblogged this on About JMD's PhD and ADHD and commented:
Dear Elena, I agree with you about trains. When I was 9 yrs old my parents took my on a 1 week overhaul train ride some 2000km. We played cards together and ate when i was awake, I slept most of the time…I mean 90% of the time.
As an adult I have travelled from the Hokkaido to Kyushu by train many times. I agree that they are journeys of the senses… “scapes”; Landscapes, Culturscapes, Peoplescapes, Lifescapes, Escapes…
Yes trains are sensual….One of my first loves came true because of trains. We would travel 250km for each of us coming from opposite directions. We would meet at the station in the middle. Some days we would travel together and when we knew our final train journey was coming, I sang to her this song on the last Shinkansen from Nagoya to Yokohama some 25 years ago (Originally penned by Kristofferso):
Don’t look so sad, I know it’s over.
But life goes on, and this old world will keep on turning.
Let’s just be glad we had some time to spend together.
There’s no need to watch the bridges that we’re burning.
Hold your warm and tender body close to mine.
Hear the whisper of the raindrops,
Blowin’ soft against the window,
And make believe you love me one more time,
For the good times.
I’ll get along; you’ll find another,
And I’ll be here if you should find you ever need me.
Don’t say a word about tomorrow or forever,
There’ll be time enough for sadness when you leave me.
Lay your head upon my pillow.
Hold your warm and tender body close to mine.
Hear the whisper of the raindrops,
Blowin’ soft against the window,
And make believe you love me one more time,
For the good times.
I was 20 at the time…Keep dancing ! Keep living ! Make your Papa proud !http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvlJygCubmI
thank you so much for this!
love,
lena
Hi Elena. I must admit i haven’t done much travelling (well, who am i kidding?) I don’t really travel, especially outside Ghana(where i am from), but your blog makes me have this sudden urge to. I have always loved road trips though; mainly inter city. Really nice posts and inspiring pictures. Keep travelling.
I have always thought that one of the most exciting places to go to is a Train Station – along with Airports ad Theaters, they hold mysteries that long to be discovered. i love the layout of this post – very good.
I also love travelling on trains. One reason against getting married: http://andreasmoser.wordpress.com/2011/03/26/why-dont-you-get-married/