0372. Stuck at a Gas Station (Mor 204--new)

Back in Marrakech, my plan is to head out on the Ourzazate highway.  Not actually TO Ourzazate•just explore a couple of towns on the way, and then head back to Casablanca tomorrow.  But I’m a bit peeved to find out that no matter where I get off, I’ll still have to pay for a ticket all the way to Ourzazate.

I try the grand taxis•same situation.  They tell me to try the grand taxi station on the other side of town.  Nobody even seems to know about the towns on the Ourzazate highway.  Finally one guy offers for 20 DH to take me part way there•to a junction where I can catch bus or a taxi the rest of the way…

I end up at a gas station not far from town at all•and I wait for more than an hour•there are not buses and all the taxis that pass are full to capacity… Kind of irritated I head back towards town…

On my way back I take a small detour to wander through the village of Telbenin where everybody in town is gathered around the public water faucets…

I find a quiet clearing to play my set, and enjoy the sunset…

On the horizon, there are several distinct desert plateaus rising above the plain.  Below is another river valley•just like Ourika and Tahanoute•but this valley feels much more deserty and lonesome than the others…

OK, things didn’t all go exactly as planned, but it’s still been a beautiful, beautiful day…