Marriage = No Ice Cream and Other Stories
It has been a few days since I wrote anything. It has been a few whirlwind days, and opening up the iPad to type a few lines just seemed like the wrong thing to do at the time. But now I am crammed into the back corner of the bus, and have a few hours to regale some stories for you.
P.S. This was written in a feverish haze on a bus driving towards Marrakech. Forgive my dramatics and my chaotic nature, it was the trots churning up a storm.
Following Chefchaouen, we hit Fes. Fes is a large town, featuring over 9000 alleyways. And Alley’s is a pretty liberal interpretation from time to time. One of the alleyways that we encountered had no lights and no space. Other than a lack of space, Fes features one of the oldest operating tanneries in the world, as well as some interesting craftsmen. It certainly hit my wallet. There were some amazing buildings and beautiful designs throughout the city. Ultimately though, i was a bit underwhelmed by Fes. While it is a great place, I think I want open skies and clear sight lines at the moment. So thankfully, we moved quickly onto new places.
Next stop was Errachidia. This was a day of big driving, approximately 8 hours. But, this put us right on the corner of the Sahara. The drive itself was nothing of note, but Errachidia started to scratch that itch i was looking for. It reminded me of a classic roadside motel, with a big gaudy sign to draw you in. Within its walls, it had a large pool in the central courtyard, surrounded by rooms. Here we had dinner, and celebrated our journey with a few drinks
In my life, i have found somethings difficult to discuss and describe. Not because there is nothing to discuss, but because the monotony of a regular day does not really create a story. Perhaps this is my own failing, and something that I should work on. But, it is what it is. But from time to time, there are days and nights that create stories that cannot be forgotten, and that spin their own stories and take on a life of their own. In Errachidia, we had one of those nights.
After dinner, we sat by the pool having drinks and discussing a few big topics. As you often do when alcohol is involved. And one by one, individuals started to leave and head to bed. The night turned for me, when one of these individuals left and they were interrupted by a group a table over. While he ignored them, I had this feeling that a good conversation was to be had, and it was an opportunity that could not be passed up. So I went and joined their table.
Enter dirty Hakim and the Boys. This featured Hakim, a Moroccan stoner that believed social media was the bane of civilisation, but had two facebook accounts. He was also incredibly dirty minded. Dirtier then a foreign film on late on SBS. The Legionarie, a French-Moroccan on holiday and the Owner, who we don’t really know that much about, except for the fact that he didn’t own the place that he told us he did. In the true style of Moroccan hospitality, they poured a drink for me and we got to talking. We got louder and louder and rowdier and rowdier. There is something about drunken nonsense that really energises me. I woke up, I got silly, and did our best to discuss life and love and happiness in the way that three men in their mid-30’s do.
We then brought over the boys to the rest of my tour group, and that is when a lot of the proper madness started. Meg was now Margaret Thatcher, Brittany became Britanny Spears the Bathroom Girl, and was also dangerous Avocado, Collin became Nebraskaaaaah and I became the Australieeen. There was discussion of expectations of marriage, and the conclusion was that Men can cook an egg and that that is a satisfactory balancing of the workload for a Moroccan man. Questions still remain over if that egg is fried or scrambled, or even cooked at all. More importantly, we heard that Sex is the Ice Cream of life. If you have sex, you don’t need to eat ice cream. The only reason we eat ice cream is because we are dead inside, and being married and having sex all the time will make you feel alive. At least, that was how the Legionairre was proposing to Margaret Thatcher.
Hakim also told me we would connect on the Extranet, which is not the Internet, and is the i universes own social network connecting us in space and time.
Look, Hakim might have been as high as a kite flying in Nepal, but it is a point that has stuck with me. The connection between people that is created by circumstance is something that I have always treasured. In fact, it’s something that I have really treasured on this trip. While I am on a bus of 15 people, I have really connected with 4-5 core people on the trip. And that has not been because of commonality, or forced interactions. It has been because of circumstance, from drinks on the first night, to being assigned as room mates. In the extranet of this adventure, these are the people the universe connected me with, and for that I am grateful.
Hakim and the boys, we will miss you. Know that I named my tagline after you, and will always think about sex every time I eat ice cream from now on.
Jumping ahead, we left Errachidia and went to the Sahara, travelling to our desert camp by Camel. Wearing my little turban and being in that sun, swaying with the shifting sands beneath the camels feet, I finally had found the space I was looking for. The desert is, as described by Jeremy Clarkson, a giant rolling death machine. It shifts and it changes and it heats and it cools. But it is also one of the most beautiful things on the planet. That afternoon, I sat atop a dune and watched the sun set. As it dipped below the horizon, and the shadows on the dunes softened and the light turned blue, i found that I had, for the first time in a long time, felt a true and proper sense of calm.
That night, we sat by the fire and looked at the stars. I attempted some Astro-photography, but i was more interested in just being present within myself. Listening into the conversation around me, and being completely empty.
When we left the camp by camel the next day, it was a surprisingly quiet journey. Was it a sign of our own internal reflection on the journey thus far, or just a result of a long night and a slight hangover? I can’t speak for everyone else, but I was sad I was leaving the desert. I could have spent a long time wandering those dunes, rolling in the breeze. But life, much like the dunes moves forward, and the world cannot wait. So we left the dunes and headed towards and Oasis.
This Oasis was a rest period. It was not about sightseeing, but about taking some time for ourselves. On the first day, this meant a slow walk through nearby ruins and the gardens where locals grow Dates, Alfafa, Corn and other delightful things. The next day was spent hiking up a local mountain, and having tea with a local nomad that has settled at the top of the mountain.
Walking up those hills, I was once again reenergised. Not because of drunken silliness, but just by the simple act of moving. Putting one foot in front of the other, charging up the mountain with no goal except to take the next step. Getting to the top was a delight, and i really enjoyed the Hike. Perhaps when i get back to Sydney, i will try and find some time to do some more hiking?
But, dinner after the hike was an interesting affair. I was sat at a table with a group that i have not really interacted with a great deal this trip. I don’t think that has been for any particular nefarious reason, other than it just being the way the trip played out. One of the girls in this group may or may not had a few too many wines, and decided that old Nathan needed a talking to.
While the exact comments aren’t necessary to repeat, the core of the commentary was that I am not an open person, and and give off a bit of a ‘Fuck off’ Aura. Which, to be fair, is not entirely wrong. En Vino Veritas, and she was certainly well Vinoed.
But, it has been somethingI have been reflecting on the last 18 hours or so. I know I am not the most open person in the world, nor necessarily the most forthcoming or conversational. Resting Bitch Face is an affliction that I have come to endure. I have never really thought of another way of being, because that is just how I have always been. The question now is, should I change myself to make others more comfortable with me. Would changing myself in that way put me into a position where I can enjoy myself more around people? Or should I not change, and just accept these things as they are?
Honestly, I don’t even want to think about it. I’m being too dramatic, so ill just go eat some ice cream instead.
