After a stellar week with Rho-Shos and Nat & Rod, I’m back out roaming the world solo. I headed out this morning from Meknes via Grand Taxi (“grand” simply refers to being larger than the petit {small} taxis – there’s nothing grand or fancy about them as they’re shared taxis in which up to six people who don’t know each other squeeze in with the driver). About an hour later I’d arrived here in Azrou, a smallish Berber city that’s off the obvious tourist routes (in fact my Frommer’s guidebook doesn’t even list it in the index). Rho-Shos brought us here a couple days ago to experience the authentic Moroccan carpet-purchasing experience, and the town struck me as a perfect place to come back and slow down and purposefully reflect on my trip thus far, as well as dive back into the Karen Armstrong’s books on the three monotheistic religions. So I’ve checked into a simple hotel in the foothills of the Middle Atlas Mtns and I’m looking forward to alternating contemplative time with adventuresome strolls throughout the town.

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