The Dust We Leave Behind
By Kate Morris
We arrived at the Riad door,
Excited and anxious for what Laura and Nini had in store.
One by one, or in twos and threes,
Greeted with a warm welcome, sweet treats and mint teas.
Out into the Medina, a few of us explored.
Or relaxed by the pool and discussed room shares and who
snored.
Our first taste of tagine and early to bed,
Followed by breakfast featuring every kind of bread!
A brisk walk to the cars where we all paired up,
Full tanks of fuel and engines fired up.
We’ll Be Right Back Marrakesh, Yallah! We waved goodbye,
Radio checks before heading into the Atlas Mountains, way
up high.
George felt sick as the roads wound and weaved,
Until we stopped for lunch, our bladders relieved!
More tagine and beautiful views over the UNESCO site of
Ait Benhaddou.
Then back to the cars with driver changes for each crew.
A pit stop in Ouarzazate needed for Pink Laura and Lavell,
Before winding our way in the dark and rain to our hotel.
An evening meal and bed at Chez Ichou,
Before an early departure, the sky once again bright blue!
Anxious to get to the desert, a takeaway lunch was planned,
Not as quick as we’d hoped, Mouhissine had to cut potatoes
by hand.
Cars eventually loaded with chips and tagine. Yallah,
Be Right Back,
We’re 15 women o to the use the Sahara as a racetrack!
A huge herd of camels, a welcome distraction.
And excited local children added to the action.
Finally, our deflated tyres hit the sand,
Dust clouds behind us as we flew across the land.
One car got stuck, then two or three,
Some of us pushed, some towed and others went for their
first sandy wee!
Out of the loose sand and onto dry mud we drove,
Kicking up dust as the cars interwove.
Rooting ourselves in the moment, watching sunset from the
dunes,
While Nini and Luna drove the Raptor around like loons!
Headlights bouncing as we drove on to our desert camp,
Bathrooms behind a thin curtain and peeing by lamp.
We danced around the campfire like a coven of Witches
All of us lay under the stars, the sand dunes around us just big
dark ridges.
A beautiful morning sunrise, unforgettable memories made.
As we drove on to Merzouga we all wished we could have
stayed.
Sideways in a sand dune Mel’s car got wedged,
After deflating the tyres with Kate’s tweezers, down the bank
we were able to help it edge.
Onwards towards Zagora as we raced through the sand,
Feeling like Top Gear presenters zooming side by side across
the land.
A cool dip in the pool followed by beers that evening for some.
The guys from Desert Rose joined in and drank rum.
Headbanging, dancing and talking until 2am,
There will be sore heads in the morning for them!
A sad departure, making our way back to Marrakesh,
Yallah, Be Right Back while the memories are still fresh.
Harriet pulled over for speeding, how naughty,
Just another fun anecdote for our Moroccan story.
Back over the Atlas Mountains before a sad farewell to Nini
and our guide.
While the rest of us went up to the rooftop to dine.
A final breakfast at the Riad before we all departed,
Missed flights for some, don’t get me started.
New friendships made and memories we’ll never forget.
Longing to experience it all again, even the sweat!
15 women, many of whom just a week ago had never met,
Send us to the desert with sweet treats and a radio check.
A big thanks to Laura and Nini for planning this trip,
We’ve had the most incredible time being allowed to let rip!
An unbelievable adventure we could barely believe,
Amazed at what we’ve been able to achieve.
Everything planned to perfection, even telling us what to pack.
Farewell Morocco, we’ll Be Right Back!
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