For me the fun part of traveling, as I’ve mentioned before, is the planning. The very best part of planning is the final week. It’s the fun time because I am on the verge of something new, mysterious, and adventurous. But it’s a stressful time, too, tying up loose ends: work tasks, paying bills, saying goodbye to people, organizing pertinent information to take along and to leave behind, and packing, purging and re-packing. That’s the phase I’m in. I enjoy it. And I do little things each day to get myself in the mood: writing in the blog, breaking-in shoes, practice-packing, and even changing my diet. Usually before a trip anywhere I eat better; more vegetables. And I drink more water and less wine. I like this time before a trip. It’s the time I savor because I know that very soon it will all be over. And it’s the time I realize that I will not be the same person when I return as when I left.

Looking at the world through the sunset in your eyes
Traveling the train through clear Moroccan skies
Ducks and pigs and chickens call
Animal carpet wall to wall
American ladies five-foot tall in blue
Sweeping cobwebs from the edges of my mind
Had to get away to see what we could find
Hope the days that lie ahead
Bring us back to where they’ve led
Listen not to what’s been said to you
Wouldn’t you know we’re riding on the Marrakesh Express
Wouldn’t you know we’re riding on the Marrakesh Express
They’re taking me to Marrakesh
All aboard the train, all aboard the train
I’ve been saving all my money just to take you there
I smell the garden in your hair
Take the train from Casablanca going south
Blowing smoke rings from the corners of my mouth
Colored cottons hang in the air
Charming cobras in the square
Striped djellebas we can wear at home Well, let me hear you now
Wouldn’t you know we’re riding on the Marrakesh Express
Wouldn’t you know we’re riding on the Marrakesh Express
They’re taking me to Marrakesh
Wouldn’t you know we’re riding on the Marrakesh Express
Wouldn’t you know we’re riding on the Marrakesh Express
They’re taking me to Marrakesh
All on board the train, all on board the train
All on board
– – Crosby Stills & Nash