And the adventure began...

And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane
by those who could not hear the music.

~Nietzsche

My trip to Morocco and completing the 2008 MDS was an experience that I will treasure for the rest of my life. Nothing that I read or heard could have prepared me for what I was about to experience.

I met the most humble of champions, many from our own group and also witnessed gut wrenching pain and the will to continue. This was the poorest place that I have visited, but the beauty was so rich, such a treasure to behold.

Morocco was a hard destination to reach. George and I departed from SoCal on the evening of March 23, Easter Sunday. After four flights and two days we had finally arrived in Ouarzazate on Tuesday afternoon. For all intense and purposes, I could have been on another planet! Since I neither spoke French nor Arabic, communication was a challenge. There was nothing at all that resembled the western world, nothing to remind me of home, I was definitely a fish out of water but very happy to be there at the same time.

sleeping on the floor at JFK

bet you didn't know that i was afraid to fly~ this was a scare!

George and I at the airport in Ouarzazate

The days spent in Ouarzazate were cool. Early morning and night were chilly, not what I had planned for. We spent our time getting acquainted and reconnecting with those in our group. We ate the local food which was fantastic! We shopped which was fun but exasperating all at the same time. And we went through our gear and got it all ready for Friday which was the day we left for the bivouac. My pack was weighed at about 19 pounds and I was very happy with that. That was minus water.

outdoor market in Ozz

great deals if you can play their game!

Our trip out to the first bivouac took about 5 and half hours by bus. We stopped along the way for lunch where we ate among the scorpions. Once at the bivouac we got our assigned tent which was for us tent #71. This would be home for the next 9 days. Prior to the race start, we got to eat hot food prepared by the race organization and we had tents to eat in all while sitting on the floor. This deluxe accommodation would no longer be available to use once the race started. On Saturday the 29, we spent preparing and getting used to our surroundings. For many of us this would be the last cheerful carefree day we had for in the morning our work would begin.

dining with the scorpions

the Ritz Carlton. Our home at the bivouac tent #71

lunch line

bon appetit!

The journey was long and tedious for those of us who traveled in the back,
filled with great ups and painful downs. Only those who have traveled these roads will understand but how rich I am because of my journey. TBC….