Dear fellow readers, today is my last day I will blog about the beautiful area of Western Sahara.
If you didn't know, I've been traveling basically, by myself. I haven't been on a tour group. It was just me spending time to get to know the locals of this area.
Why would I travel alone? Because I am not afraid. There is no reason to be afraid. I am traveling as a political act. What that means to me is that I am trying to spread the message that there shouldn't be fear involved when going to new places that people in America are afraid of.
I've spent time in class to learn that places, such as Iran and Israel, are places that Americans tend to be afraid of. I know it's not anyone's fault, but the truth is, there's nothing to be afraid of. Palestinians, Sahrawi, Israelis, what ever you can think of, they are just regular people like you and I. I feel as if the American government makes those places seem as if you'll get shot once you enter, but that's far from the truth.
I know terrorism has been emphasized and has plagued our country, but it's not just our country, there are other countries too. In my opinion, we fear more about terrorism than something like a school shooting. School shootings are much more common than a terrorist act. But yet, for some reason, we think people with yellow-brownish skin have bombs attached to them. I read this book about traveling as a political act (Travel as a Political Act by Rick Steves) and he mentions several things that have stuck with me.
One of those sentences mentioned how he was in Iran once and he saw an American tour group walk through the streets, clenching onto their belongings, as people, like you and I, had to look at the tour group and see the fear people have because of stereotyping and subliminal messaging. Now, put yourself in the place of one of those people witnessing the fear that an American tour group has because of your race and ethnicity. It makes you feel upset and hurt.
We have reasons to fear, but those people in the streets, are regular people. They eat everyday, they have kids and families, they have movies and nightclubs, but yet we act as if they are going to kill us.
People, we don't need to live in fear anymore. That's why I've traveled to Western Sahara alone, to show you that everything is okay, in fact, without this fear anymore, I get to explore places that I thought were terrifying as a kid, and it has been a once-in-a-lifetime experience! Everyone has been so nice and helpful to me. They treat me as one of their own, so why do we treat them as terrorists? That's what traveling as a political act means to me, it means to travel to places that Americans fear to go, and to come home and spread the message about how amazing these people are. So, fellow readers, go out and explore the world. Spread the message!
The beauty of the desert lands of Western Sahara, the tastes of spices, the night life, and so much more was worth everything. To experience Western Sahara on my own, was the most intoxicating and incredible experience I have ever had than when I've gone to places in tour groups. Thank you for reading my blogs! Hope I've inspired some of you!
Friday, October 24, 2014
Thursday, October 23, 2014
Ad Dakhla
Hello, fellow readers! I know its been a day since I posted, but yesterday I was making the long journey down to Ad Dakhla!
Ad Dakhla is a beautiful region of Western Sahara, where they have amazing windsurfing and fishing (many places on the coast of Western Sahara is actually very hard and dangerous to access), but I came here for more of a political reasoning!
Ad Dakhla is one of the (many) places in Western Sahara that is under Moroccan control! There's an ongoing conflict about who has the rights to Western Sahara. The sovereignty of the Western Sahara remained the subject of dispute between the Government of Morocco and the Polisario Front (Popular Front for the Liberation of the Saguia el Hamra and Rio de Oro), an organization seeking independence for the region. I came here to discuss with the locals about this situation.
After talking with a few individuals, I've come down to the point where I know that there are really 2 groups involved in this conflict. First, there's the Moroccans, and second, a group of people who believe that Western Sahara should belong to the people who live there. This group is called Sahrawis (which are what the majority of people living in this territory are called).
Here's a new article I found that can really update anyone who wants to know more about this conflict: http://allafrica.com/stories/201410201764.html
But for now, I'm going to spend the day at the beach, enjoying the sounds of the Atlantic Ocean and talk with my new friends! So with that, I hope everyone's day goes 'swimmingly' and no one gets sea sick! (I have terrible puns...)
Until next time fellow readers!
Ad Dakhla is a beautiful region of Western Sahara, where they have amazing windsurfing and fishing (many places on the coast of Western Sahara is actually very hard and dangerous to access), but I came here for more of a political reasoning!
Ad Dakhla is one of the (many) places in Western Sahara that is under Moroccan control! There's an ongoing conflict about who has the rights to Western Sahara. The sovereignty of the Western Sahara remained the subject of dispute between the Government of Morocco and the Polisario Front (Popular Front for the Liberation of the Saguia el Hamra and Rio de Oro), an organization seeking independence for the region. I came here to discuss with the locals about this situation.
After talking with a few individuals, I've come down to the point where I know that there are really 2 groups involved in this conflict. First, there's the Moroccans, and second, a group of people who believe that Western Sahara should belong to the people who live there. This group is called Sahrawis (which are what the majority of people living in this territory are called).
Here's a new article I found that can really update anyone who wants to know more about this conflict: http://allafrica.com/stories/201410201764.html
But for now, I'm going to spend the day at the beach, enjoying the sounds of the Atlantic Ocean and talk with my new friends! So with that, I hope everyone's day goes 'swimmingly' and no one gets sea sick! (I have terrible puns...)
Until next time fellow readers!
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
The Capital
After a nights rest, it's time to explore the capital of Western Sahara, Laayoune! Laayoune is by far the biggest city in Western Sahara. The population at this moment as approximately 200,000, but the city is growing quickly. In the city there are three main-areas: the old Spanish center, the modern Moroccan center, and the fast growing suburbs with big, square, high buildings.
The Spanish center is the oldest part of the city. In this area you find a lot of very interesting architecture and small markets, but this is clearly not the best part of town.
The modern center is full of extreme monuments and big public buildings. This is where is the most business-centers, banks, bus stations, tourists agencies, and restaurants and hotels are, but you'll also find the biggest souq (bizarre) here, lots of small teahouses and small street food places.
The souq of Laayoune (souq meaning bizarre or market). This area is very typical for the whole region: a market that is very, very quiet at daytime. The second it gets dark, it transforms completely! People come from everywhere, you hear the salesmen shouting and the streets are covered with bikes, cars and really anything on wheels.
Therefore, the only way to see the Souq Djemal (for those who may not know what Souq Djemal is; it is the liveliest part of Laayoune) in a decent way is by going there in the evening. When you enter the souq, you'll be surprised by the smells and the colors of all the food they sell here: from the local specialty fresh fish, and the delicious olives, to complete cows and goat heads.
This is truly a magnificent sight to behold! Everything is so bold and lively! After a night of excitement and exploration, it's time for this blogger to rest. Until next time, my fellow readers!
The Spanish center is the oldest part of the city. In this area you find a lot of very interesting architecture and small markets, but this is clearly not the best part of town.
The modern center is full of extreme monuments and big public buildings. This is where is the most business-centers, banks, bus stations, tourists agencies, and restaurants and hotels are, but you'll also find the biggest souq (bizarre) here, lots of small teahouses and small street food places.
The souq of Laayoune (souq meaning bizarre or market). This area is very typical for the whole region: a market that is very, very quiet at daytime. The second it gets dark, it transforms completely! People come from everywhere, you hear the salesmen shouting and the streets are covered with bikes, cars and really anything on wheels.
Therefore, the only way to see the Souq Djemal (for those who may not know what Souq Djemal is; it is the liveliest part of Laayoune) in a decent way is by going there in the evening. When you enter the souq, you'll be surprised by the smells and the colors of all the food they sell here: from the local specialty fresh fish, and the delicious olives, to complete cows and goat heads.
This is truly a magnificent sight to behold! Everything is so bold and lively! After a night of excitement and exploration, it's time for this blogger to rest. Until next time, my fellow readers!
Monday, October 20, 2014
Arrival
I decided that after a VERY long journey, to start off in an area close to where my plane landed, but still in Western Sahara. Dchira. It's a more... Historical approach on the several things to do and see here, but it's a sight to see!
The main attraction of Dchira is the ruins of the Spanish Fort. This was originally the base that was attacked by the Liberation Army of Sahrawi in 1958. The Spanish lost here to an Army (which was a collection of different tribes) who were fighting to end the colonialism in their country. About 17 years later the Spanish were finally defeated, but this was also the start of a new period of imperialism: this time by the Moroccans.
The remains of the fort of Dchira are impressive when you imagine the violence that took place here. Silent, impressive remains of what used to be a bloodshed. For the Sahrawi, who were killed here, there is still a monument that you can visit... The fort consists of some severely damaged walls, guard towers, and some old abandoned buildings inside the walls of the fort. Some walls have political drawings on them, most of the in Arabic, but a drawing of the national flag of Western Sahara is a clear sign: it's forbidden by the Moroccan government.
But this fort is long abandoned, so I'm guessing I can't stay here tonight. Luckily for me, the capital of Western Sahara, Laayoune, is only a couple miles away! Good night fellow readers!
The main attraction of Dchira is the ruins of the Spanish Fort. This was originally the base that was attacked by the Liberation Army of Sahrawi in 1958. The Spanish lost here to an Army (which was a collection of different tribes) who were fighting to end the colonialism in their country. About 17 years later the Spanish were finally defeated, but this was also the start of a new period of imperialism: this time by the Moroccans.
The remains of the fort of Dchira are impressive when you imagine the violence that took place here. Silent, impressive remains of what used to be a bloodshed. For the Sahrawi, who were killed here, there is still a monument that you can visit... The fort consists of some severely damaged walls, guard towers, and some old abandoned buildings inside the walls of the fort. Some walls have political drawings on them, most of the in Arabic, but a drawing of the national flag of Western Sahara is a clear sign: it's forbidden by the Moroccan government.
But this fort is long abandoned, so I'm guessing I can't stay here tonight. Luckily for me, the capital of Western Sahara, Laayoune, is only a couple miles away! Good night fellow readers!
Sunday, October 19, 2014
The Beginning
At last, the long anticipated trip has finally come! My trip to Western Sahara. I've just boarded the plane. It was a pretty expensive ticket for an 8 day round trip from the cold, wet Seattle to the hot, desert sands of Western Sahara, but thanks to Kayak, it only cost $4,919! The only thing left is to reach my destination, of course, with a few stops... First stop, Frankfurt, Germany, then a second stop at Casablanca, Morocco, and then finally, land at Dakhla, Morocco, where I have to drive to Western Sahara. The plane ride itself, in total, is 44 hours and 45 minutes! Weird to think that when I finally reach my destination, 2 days will have already passed! I guess to start of my "little" blog, I should inform you, whomever is reading, about Western Sahara's past and present, and what to expect for future travelers!
Western Sahara is a disputed territory in the Maghreb region of North Africa. For those who don't know what the Maghreb region is, it is, in the simplest terms, western part of North Africa. Bordering Western Sahara is Morocco (North), Algeria (extreme Northeast), Mauritania (East and South), and the Atlantic Ocean (West).
The population of Western Sahara is over 500,000. That's how many people live in Seattle, Washington! It's the size of Colorado and has a relatively flat land, with a few little mounds of rocky or sandy mountains... "Surprisingly", its very hot and dry! Rain is rare and sometimes fog and heavy dew comes in from cold-offshore air currents. Western Sahara is a tropical desert, with similar weather to Dubai. The days are hot, often reaching 38°C (100°F), but don't feel so hot in the (usually non-existent) shade because of the low humidity. Nights cool off quickly because of the lack of insulating cloud cover and can be cool with lows in single figures (<50°F). Near to the Atlantic coast, light fogs can be generated by warm, moisture laden winds from the Atlantic Ocean, meeting the cooler early morning air from the desert.
The main religion of Western Sahara is Sunni Muslims (99.9%). Sunni Muslims are a member of the branch of Islam that accepts the first four caliphsas rightful successors to Muhammad.
Now, fellow readers, I must fly off (pun intended), from the rainy west coasts of Seattle, to the arid land of Western Sahara! Just so everyone can get caught up with information about, well, pretty much everything in Western Sahara, I've added a video above! Please watch, the narrator has a heavy accent, but it's a truly amazing video (well put together), and you don't have to read so much!!
Western Sahara is a disputed territory in the Maghreb region of North Africa. For those who don't know what the Maghreb region is, it is, in the simplest terms, western part of North Africa. Bordering Western Sahara is Morocco (North), Algeria (extreme Northeast), Mauritania (East and South), and the Atlantic Ocean (West).
The population of Western Sahara is over 500,000. That's how many people live in Seattle, Washington! It's the size of Colorado and has a relatively flat land, with a few little mounds of rocky or sandy mountains... "Surprisingly", its very hot and dry! Rain is rare and sometimes fog and heavy dew comes in from cold-offshore air currents. Western Sahara is a tropical desert, with similar weather to Dubai. The days are hot, often reaching 38°C (100°F), but don't feel so hot in the (usually non-existent) shade because of the low humidity. Nights cool off quickly because of the lack of insulating cloud cover and can be cool with lows in single figures (<50°F). Near to the Atlantic coast, light fogs can be generated by warm, moisture laden winds from the Atlantic Ocean, meeting the cooler early morning air from the desert.
The main religion of Western Sahara is Sunni Muslims (99.9%). Sunni Muslims are a member of the branch of Islam that accepts the first four caliphsas rightful successors to Muhammad.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)