Anyway, numerous people have been asking about the state of the Morocco photographs. Not that interest in my project bothers me, but I have to laugh at the utterly insane process I have ahead of me, one that escapes most non-photographers attention. I have to edit roughly 11,000 photos. Something like 200 gigabytes worth of data.

For those that may need a visual representation:

 

After having a week or so to reflect, regroup, and catch up on sleep and photography work, this is a one last quick list of thoughts on my trip.

Full Post after the link.

So Here Goes:

In the last two months I:

Statistics:

Traveled a total of: 11,275 Miles

Passed through 2 Countries: Morocco (57 Days) and Spain (7 Days)
(Possibly Algeria too, the border in the Sahara is sketchy and disputed.)

Added 6 new stamps to my passport.

(2 entries & exits for Morocco, and 1 entry and exit for the EU)

Traveled by:

Petite Taxi
Grand Taxi
Bus
Train
Ferry
Camel
My Own 2 Feet

Got sunburned only once!

Lost 32 lbs (Yeah, you read that right)

Took 10,177 digital photos

Drank about 2 liters of H20 a day. (trying that now makes me nauseous)

Ate snails, brains and tongue.

Was questioned by 2 police departments

Met 46 fellow travelers from:

USA
France
Australia
England
Scotland
Canada
Spain
Italy
The Netherlands

Reflections:

I can pack 2 shirts, 2 boxers, 2 pairs of socks, and a pair of pants – and be fine for 2 months
I have realized the kindness of strangers, and the importance it plays for travelers
I appreciate the quality that comes from simple ingredients
I prefer small shops to the uber-supermarkets
I witnessed the death of two chickens, and felt none of the shame that comes from our mass-causality method of food processing
I cannot imagine drinking green tea without mint ever again

I cannot possibly capture all of the experiences, thoughts and feelings that this trip evoked
I’m sure there will be more that comes up in the future.

Keep checking out the blog, more good things to come!

John

Also known as the first shave in 3 months. I look 12!

I think I’ll be staying in Chefchaouen for the remainder of my time in Morocco. Then I’ll take a bus to Tangier, grab a ferry ticket, and head for Spain like a fat kid running for McDonald’s.

Couple reasons:

1) I like it here.
2) I still wanna capture some more photographs here
3) My next place I was planning on heading is “assilah” – a little beach side town south of Tangier. I have already been to a beach town, and most importantly there is no direct route to there from here. I would have to either take a bus to Tangier, then a train or bus south, or take a bus to Meknes, and then train or bus north. I’d rather just chill and photograph here, enjoy some more mint tea, and then head to Tangier to catch the ferry.

Cool. Glad everyone understands.

Word.

Barduhn

Full Post:

More after the jump (link)

Its been an interesting time. Most of my trip has been very enjoyable. The Moroccan people are for the most part very very hospitable, and kind. I was not prepared for the constant in and out of people in your life. Traveling solo, I have meet a lot of people (not as much recently, mostly around the main hot-spots of Essaouira and Marrakesh), and being fellow travelers, you bond quickly, enjoy a few days in the same geographic vicinity, and then, just as suddenly as it began, its over, and people move on. It takes a little while to get used to. I have really enjoyed the time I have had over here, and would love to come back in the future. I would need to have a more specific story in mind though, my strategy of photographing everything and anything has been good with this being my first time in the country, but I would love to return and complete a focused story on a specific topic.

So all in all, its been awesome. Chefchaouen is great, very laid back – I have enjoyed being here for an extended amount of time.

Hope to hear from everyone reading this soon! Keep the comments coming.

John

John need to push himself more with the photo taking. Not enough people shots.

Okay, done with the third person references, here’s whats up:

I’m going to Fez tomorrow. I am VERY unsure of my internet situations, but i will do my best to update the blog, and stay in contact.

That being said, due to spotty internet access:

Happy Birthdays in July to : My Dad, and Bro-in-Law Kenny. I do not really know the next time I will have internet, so I figured better early than late.

Oh, and Happy 4th of July to everyone back home.

John

im not truely dying, but not being able t share and blog and call people, at least the option to – is annoying. But, other than that Meknes is a pretty cool city, very laid back.

Also

why! why must Nikon introduce the amazing new D700 camera (full frame!) AFTER i leave for a photographic trip! why! i must be buying some lotto tickets when i get home for this baby

hope all is well, better and more complete posts next week.

You are standing on a hill, made up of the softest, finest material.
Its like standing on a deep red carpet.
There is a soft wind blowing across your face from the northeast.
You open your eyes and you are standing in the Sahara Desert, the sun is rising over a crest in the east.
The dunes are massive, stretching as far as you can see.
You simultaneously realize how big you feel standing on this mountain of sand, and how small you are amongst the millions of grains of sand.

I have never been in such a remote place and felt more connected to the world in which I live.

Click on this link to read the rest:

Its still an amazing blur, but the last 3 days I traveled:

From Marrakesh to Ouarzazate (with World Heritage Site: Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou)
Through the Valley of the Roses
Gorges du Todra passing the big palm groves in Tinghir, Tamtettoucht Berber village
Spent the night in a Hotel built into the Gorges
Drove to Merzouga, traveled by camel to Sahara Desert
Spent the night in Berber tents under the stars
Watched the sunrise over the Sahara
Returned via camel, ate breakfast
Drove back to Marrakesh

It was an amazing (if not really really long) trip.

Here are some photos from the 14 gigs worth of images I took.

I took the ever so present one-handed profile type shots – a lot of them.

I know it looks touristy, but these scarves actually serve an amazing purpose.

One last thing:

I got really (REALLY) sick of the unruly mob of hair on my face so I went to a barber in Marrakesh, and got a trim. It was awesome. I had a straight razor shave of the bottom & back of my neck, and the took some scissors and comb to my beard. Needless to say, it was really needed. I had plans on going the whole time, but it was getting a little ridiculous and I was starting to look homeless.

Before (during lunch on the saharah trek) & After (last night)

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Updates when I get back!