So I missed the bus...

When I checked in the morning, there were still seats available to ouarzazate. but when I went to buy the ticket at night... Not so much.

I'm so bummed about having to spend another day in Marrakech. Today I really hate morocco, moroccans, and Marrakech. This city is only nice to tourists when they're spending money in a shop or a cafe, and even then they're not polite- they just want your money. Besides that, not so much. It's not like thailand where everyone is smiley and friendly; or India where they are so happy you came to visit their country. The only time someone talks to me is to sell me something or is making comments at me in the street.

My plan for the day was to go sit in cyber park, which is a public park that has free wifi. I thought i'd relax, get a tan, hang out, and chat with cousins abroad. What a mistake. God forbid a girl be alone in a park. She must be a whore or something. I had 4 separate men follow me around. One even came up to me, and asked If I was available; and a homeless man threw rocks at me, so finally I just fucking left. I still really don't get it-- I don't dress differently than the girls here who seem to really be asking for it. WTF?

I might be really impressed with the modern infrastructure, the reliable public transportation, or the beautiful natural landscapes, but as long as the culture remains as antiquated and ignorant as it is, tourists will stop coming. After all, it's not that cheap here and I wouldn't recommend a friend to come here alone at all. Only couples or groups. It is really sad to me though, because as long as I want to get out in public and immerse myself in the culture, I'm asking for trouble. And hanging out in hotels is so not my idea of fun. (which is why I never go to the Caribbean--- boring!!!)

I'm lonely, I'm bored, and my money is spent. I tried to get a ticket to essaouira for the day, sold out. Thought about getting a day pass at a fancy hotel's pool, and i was even willing to spend $200 for mamounia, the king of hotels here, but i woke up to gray skies.

But while sitting in a cafe, I met a brother and sister from NY who are now living in Israel. She was so interesting and we really clicked on our thoughts on travel, and career, and the whole lot. She is smart and beautiful and her free spiritedness actually reminded me so much of my last boss who i love. This girl is studying landscape architecture at city college, so when I told her what I do for a living, even i was shocked to hear it myself. I work in construction? What? She asked me about my day to day work and about the culture. It felt weird to talk about work when I had really done a great job at forgetting about it. (one week from now I start my new job, holyyyy shittttt) So I did actually tell her about my last boss who's one of the very few women in her place, who she reminded me of. We had a nice conversation about feeling conflicted with wanting to have a successful career but also wanting to have a meaningful life. The things we value in our travels are lacking in NYC, so what do we do?

Anyway, since it's their first day, I gave them some suggestions on where to go, and we're going to rendezvous tonight. Finally!