Location: Agafay Desert, Morocco
Its glamping day! The crew started their morning with a bright and early 5:30 am wake-up and a three-hour bus ride to Marrakech, Morocco. After a quick cash exchange (and for some, a 9:00 am ice cream run), the crew met up with tour guide Abdullah for an in-depth, guided tour of the city. Starting off, the crew wandered around the Marrakech markets, appreciating the various foods, trinkets, cloaks, pottery, jewelry, and so, so much more. After strolling the vast streets and alleyways of the busy market, Abdullah took the crew to a traditional Moroccan herbal remedy and spices exposition. Some tea, essential oil, and soaps and spices shopping later, Team Argo was out again exploring the city. Later, Abdullah brought the crew to a large, secluded building where the interior was covered from ceiling to floor with carpets. The owner of the buildingnow known on Argo as the carpet man gave a presentation on the history of carpet production in Morocco and the significance of the designs, patterns, and colors. Other than the fascinating historical knowledge, the carpet man provided a master class on the art of a sales pitch. Using his infamous sales tricks, the carpet man first lures his prey into looking at one of the many beautiful, unique rugs on display. When someone attempts to look closer at the carpets, he attacks: throwing the carpet into the hands of the potental buyer, begining a round of applause for the purchase of said rug (even if the person does not want to buy), and, over the no thank yous of the (no longer potental) buyer, he grips their arm and drags them off into a seperate room yelling you will live a long and happy life, you will live a long and happy life. No one truly knows what happens in the back room, but two of Argos crew, Teagan and Charlie, after being dragged into the carpet gulag, returned with their (maybe not 100% consensual) rug purchases, and a significant hit to their dignity. After the carpet mans entertaining presentation, the crew was given free time to continue exploring the market and purchase fine Moroccan hand-made goods and traditional cuisine.
Some kafta sandwiches and a few trinket purchases later, the crew finished the tour of Marrakech and made their way back to the buses to head to the Agafay Desert for glamping! The crew was met at Dar InaCamp with a beautiful sunset and Moroccan mint tea. After a few hours of unwinding from a busy day in Marrakech: taking pictures in the sunset, chatting and drinking tea, throwing the football, and exploring the vast desert, dinner was served. Squash soup, bread, various olive and vegetable dishes, and chicken and rice were on the menu tonighta delicious spread representing traditional Moroccan spices and cooking styles, one that could only be improved with some lively entertainment. Luckily for the crew, a man with a Moroccan oud (a small, pear-shaped musical instrument, similar to a guitar or ukulele) sang over ten original songs that were made on the spot, centered around the names of the crewmates. The cheery man sang for at least thirty minutes during dinner, giving the crew more than enough entertainment. After dinner, warm showers (the first warm showers for the crew in 48 days). Then, singing and dancing around the campfire, with an insanely impressive fire show where a man blew fire from his mouth and swung ignited chains and sticks, lighting up the night sky with sparks and red flamesit was truly magnificent! Of course, it would not be a true Argo night without some spicy uno, so after a few rounds, the crew eventually made their way to their luxury tents and cabins for a very, very comfortable sleep in a real bed with real blankets, comfoters, and especially, big fluffy pillows. The hot day turned into a cold night, but the fun never surely never slowed down. Glamping day, now crowned as one of the best days on Argo so far, was truly wonderful, filled with countless fascinating, unique, and enlightening experiences!