Tag 0 - The drive to the desert

Without breakfast, but highly motivated, I set off the next morning through the empty streets of Marrakech to Kif Kif. When I arrived, there was already a lot going on. Some quickly finished breakfast, others packed their backpacks, took the opportunity to send a quick WhatsApp message home, or stored things they didn't need in the desert in a small adjoining room. I took the opportunity to snatch a few things from the breakfast table and threw my blue pack with my everyday clothes into the luggage compartment... I wouldn't need them in the coming weeks.

At 8 o'clock, the whole gang left Kif Kif and eagerly headed towards the bus, which was waiting for us just a few streets away. To our surprise, it was surprisingly modern, with plenty of space, air conditioning and comfortable seats.

Only just over 300 km separated us from the gateway to the desert, but they would take us through the Atlas Mountains and rough roads. Accordingly, we made slow progress. The first bathroom break took place in the Atlas Mountains and showed us that the luxurious Western standards were now gone. At the entrance to the bathroom, a small donation had to be given to the bathroom attendant before a boy next to it handed out toilet paper... 2 sheets per person. It was good that each of us had at least one roll of toilet paper in our luggage for the coming weeks. The toilets were as expected run-down, the flush not functional. It is interesting to know what the bathroom attendant does with the money she receives from all the tourists. It seems that the money is not being invested, at least not according to all appearances.

But the positive surprise didn't take long. Outside in the parking lot, some wild dogs were lying in the sun, including two puppies, who immediately pounced on us and received one caress after the other. We would have liked to take the two of them with us right away.

The further drive was only interrupted by a few short smoking breaks and a longer meal break in a small restaurant, so that we reached the gateway to the desert, Foum Zguid, in the early evening.

To make the best use of the remaining hours of sunshine, we quickly packed our backpacks into the small hotel and headed towards the town center to equip ourselves with the traditional Cheche , which would protect us from the sun and wind in the desert. The selection process was great fun, with the active support of Mustafa, who patiently explained to each of us how the wrapping technique worked.

While most of us were still sipping traditional peppermint tea in the town center, Mustafa, Tom, and Martin took care of the food for the coming weeks, as there were many hungry mouths to feed.

When everyone had gathered back at the hotel, we first ate together and then went through the entire tour. Mark had prepared a large map for this, but the explanation process was constantly interrupted by the hotel's little kitten, who thought that all the attention was only for him - and what can I say: he succeeded.