Morocco—Walking North Africa’s Fascination

No one can refuse the country of Morocco, especially after traveling in Europe, which has neat lines and a full sense of modernity. Hundreds of years of orderly social operation and the beautiful scenery on both sides of the Rhine River, there is a touch of comfort in it. boring. Morocco, a developing country in North Africa, a land that breeds multi-ethnic culture, gives people more imagination because of its antiquity and chaos. As the only remaining royal-ruled country in North Africa, the charm of the intertwining of tradition and modernity is evident. It is not a breathtaking African treasure, but more like a piece of unpolished gravel that has carved out the primitive appearance of rough life with hardness, but it is enough to make passers-by indulge in it.

Egypt on the right, the Atlantic Ocean on the left, and Morocco, which is only separated from the European continent by the Strait of Gibraltar, attracts tourists from the European continent because of its unique geographical location. From north to south, the distance of more than 1,500 kilometers gave birth to the richly differentiated Arab culture. The earliest human civilization in North Africa dates back to 800,000 BC, and human remains found along the Atlantic coast attest to these ancient existences. In 5000 BC, immigrants from the Near East merged with the local people, and they became the ancestors of the later Berbers. At that time, the powerful Arab army marched into North Africa in 286 AD and fought all the way to the Atlantic Ocean, implanting Arab culture in this land.

This feeling was even stronger when I got off the plane. The huge airport was empty, the staff were mostly men, and there was a sense of solemnity behind the silence. Due to the tight itinerary, we only chose two big cities to visit - Marrakech and Casablanca.

One south and one north. Marrakech is a popular tourist city in Morocco. The name "Morocco" comes from here. As the capital of the southern region and one of the ancient capitals ruled by the Islamic dynasty, the "Red City" of Marrakech is regarded as the most authentic Islamic city. Architecture, the exquisite Koutoubia Mosque in the city has also become the object of worship for believers several times a day.

Visit the ancient city of Marrakech during the day. History or taboos are heavily imprinted on the streets of the ancient city. Marrakech in April is not a place where tourists gather. After taking a taxi outside the red city walls of the old city, the loess reflected by the scorching sun filled the air with a somewhat suffocating silence.

After passing through the maze-like high wall, around the corner is the famous Ben Yusuf Theological Seminary in the ancient city. Visitors unconsciously hold their breath as they enter. After walking through a dark corridor, typical Andalusian-style buildings emerged under the scorching sun. The Arabic courtyard surrounded by columns is very unique, and the exterior walls are covered with exquisitely carved patterns that are amazing. It is said that the best scene of the seminary is in the morning. At 5 or 6 o'clock, the sun will shine on the door in the middle, illuminating the students chanting inside.

It was afternoon in the blink of an eye. The attic on the second floor of the seminary was quietly cut into several parts by the light. The black pine wood exuded a faint smell, which was completely different from the humid atmosphere in the old house in the south. Maybe it was some kind of Unique historical seal. Thinking about this school that was built in the 14th century, devout people came and left, bringing knowledge to various places. The so-called passage of time is nothing more than this.

However, even with such a strong religious atmosphere, after several generations of rule and migration, the diverse cultural characteristics have remained distinct in this slightly complex city. Complexity is due to the inherent chaotic normality of tourist cities. Shopping and stealing are everywhere and difficult to guard against. Sometimes it is difficult to distinguish whether it is enthusiasm or a trap; diversity refers to the different fragrances exuding in this city, such as French coffee and fragrant spices. The romance of Western Europe and the enthusiasm of Africa are completely scattered on the heavy ancient city.

While walking in the streets of Marrakech’s old city, strange men would look at us with evil intentions and strike up conversations in ways that were so infuriating and hilarious. Entering the market, I felt safe. Behind the wide Djema Square is a maze-like winding market. From leather to clothing to forrest massage oil, it can be said to be a very mature tourist product selling street - - This is not a derogatory term. After all, we are just passing through. It is also fun to interact with various local vendors during the trip.

Because of a Taiwanese woman, the Sahara has become a place that countless boys and girls yearn for, and the once barren land has also been coated with a layer of holy light in the name of love. Sanmao said, "I want to fly freely in the Sahara." On the one hand, it is wanton indulgence. An oriental woman traveled across the Atlantic Ocean to explore the unknown desert. On the other hand, it is the restraint of love. She lives with her lover in a desolate and inhabited land. You have to be diligent and don't dare to be careless at all.

There are two places in the Sahara Desert in Morocco. The village of Merzouga we went to is located at the westernmost end of the Sahara, and further east we reach Algeria. The hard-working Berbers were once at the forefront of this trade route, leading camel caravans across the vast landscape of death. The only scenery along the way was covered in yellow, and the precipitous canyon was deserted without a trace of green. Except for tour buses and the occasional local on a motorcycle whizzing past, all that remains is silence. This place is so different from the city. The mysterious smell of death attracts travelers who come to explore. The contrast between life and death is sharp.

Such complex feelings are also intertwined in the hearts of every Sahara passer-by.

On the one hand, I feel like a warrior who conquered this corner of the desert with a minibus and camel team. Following the tour guide's instructions, I entered the desert before sunset and left before sunrise. On the other hand, I felt that human civilization has ended here, with no water, electricity, or signal. , the dry food he brought with him was only enough to stay in the desert for one night, and the unstoppable raging wind and sand molecules generally penetrated into people's skin. After several times of taking turns defecating in the open with friends from all over the world, my friends finally couldn’t help complaining, I really don’t know where the romance is!

But soon we urbanites were conquered by the vast starry sky. When night falls, what appears in front of you is no longer the familiar skyline, but the Milky Way that appears very close at hand, which makes people think of the One Thousand and One Nights, Greek legends, and even the origin of the universe. The bonfire in the distance reflects the dreamlike stars. No matter how cold-blooded the person is, they will be moved by this scene. Occasionally, a shooting star will streak across, accompanied by the screams of the female companions.

Sure enough, in a place without light pollution, the starry sky that gets brighter and brighter every night is the best gift from God. Tired of looking up, I simply lay down and pillowed on the vast desert. I couldn't help but think of the ancient Chinese theory of a round sky and a square place. The heaven and earth are different, and yin and yang are interdependent. The dark night in the desert is so silent that you can only hear the sound of the wind, and you feel the insignificance of life. Looking around, the sky and the earth cover each other. We humans can only sigh at such a landscape, drink tea, recite poetry, dance and write, and feel that our life has not been in vain. .

Morocco’s allure lies in its rich food culture. Unlike other Islamic countries, Moroccan cuisine originated from the Berbers. The food culture is actually different from typical Arab countries. It should be regarded as a perfect fusion of Berber, Jewish, Arab and French.

No one who comes to Morocco doesn’t want to try the unforgettable mint tea. Mint tea is divided into hot and cold types. It is also called Moroccan Whiskey and is the national drink of Morocco. Don’t get me wrong, in this Muslim country everyone understands this word and will not be offended. Walking to the door of a restaurant in the afternoon, just say "Mint Tea", and within three to five minutes, the boss will leisurely bring out a pot of tea from the kitchen. Hide in the pergola under the scorching sun and slowly taste three cups. The aroma of mint slowly spreads out from your breath. There is a Moroccan proverb: "Love is as sweet as honey, life is as astringent as mint, and death is as ruthless as the desert." The quantity must be three cups. These three cups of tea respectively mean "blessings, advice and warning." The first cup means For love, mint tea is fragrant and sweet; the second cup represents life, and life is inevitably full of hardships; the third cup means meeting the end of life, reminding people that they are mortal. After listening to such allusions and then drinking tea, you can taste the layers of philosophical meaning, which makes people wake up.

Since we are talking about death, let’s be a true warrior and have a bowl of adventurer snail soup in the square. Snails, which are so beloved in French cuisine, have become an accessible street snack in Morocco, but the method is completely different from French cuisine. Moroccan-style snails are cooked in a large pot after adding more than a dozen kinds of seasonings until the spices are fragrant, and then placed in a large plastic basin together with the soup. The boss often stands in the stall and scoops up a bowl in a basin when a customer comes. It's simple and straightforward. The snail soup, which looks unremarkable at first glance, tastes unsatisfactory. The soup has a herbal and earthy taste in the mouth. If you are just looking for novelty, you can give it a try.

When walking on the streets of Morocco, you cannot ignore the famous local tagine and couscous. Compared with snail soup, these two foods are more in line with the taste of a Chinese tourist. It is very wise to choose to replenish energy in such a restaurant. The main raw materials of tagine are beef, mutton, chicken or vegetables, which are stewed in a clay pot with spices added. Finally, the whole pot is served to the table for guests to enjoy. A variety of common spices are also added to the stew of Couscous, a staple food loved by locals. The color is bright and the taste is richer than tagine.

If you have lived in a big city for many years, Morocco may be a good place for vacation. Time and space intersect, people under the dust walk through the ancient city, bells ring, and the streets are empty like magic. I can appreciate the power of religion. Adventurers should not expect the deserted land to give you too many surprises, but the mysterious and dangerous atmosphere has indeed become the condiment of this journey. The moment the plane left the ground, those people who said they hated it began to miss this country in their hearts.

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