You didn't think that those Peacock Pavilions Painters were just painting, did you? Oh no, no, no. Well, there was the vast amount of shopping in the Marrakech souks to consider. (Ahem, at last count 16 carpets had been purchased, not to mention miles of fabric, dozens of tea glasses, and poufs left, right and center......).
But there was other fun, too, that required hairnets, jumpsuits and helmets simultaneously.
You see, it went like this.....
They ventured out early, bleary eyed, into the fog (the Marrakech weather had not been cooperating in the least). When they arrived, they saw their entertainment of choice....
(Whose idea was this anyway? What do you mean it was her idea?)
Then -- for what could only be intended for extortion and blackmail purposes at a later date -- they were asked to don these.....these getups.
Then, the quad operating procedures were explained. (Oh dear, what if they forgot which lever was for what?)
Their lives were then put in the hands of this fella, who was to be their leader.
Then -- in the blink of an eye -- they saddled up, and were off..............over the fields, into the palm grove and beyond...........The wind bracing, they rode faster and faster. They secretly felt very daring.
In a small Moroccan village along the way (populated by people who used more rational forms of transportation), they temporarily traded in their helmets....for a glass of hot mint tea.
And a quick jaunt to the bathroom.....(What? You mean your bathroom door doesn't look like this?)
Then they climbed back aboard and sped off once again............
Before they knew it, they had come full circle and it was all over. As they handed in their jumpsuits and goggles, they promised themselves, that the next time, they would go even faster: just a streak of electric blue into the distance............
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Marrakech Quad / ATV rental: 600 MAD (about $70) for 2 hours. Email me at maryam [at] mtds.com, and I'll hook you up.
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PS Maryam writes about *stuff* (that's the scientific name). Subscribe so you don't miss out on more tales from the Marrakech olive grove.
