Fantasia

Ali picked us up and drove us to Fantasia, pronounced Fan-taH-zee-ah. That's "rodeo" in Arabic. Billed as a tourist attraction we hoped it would not be too kitschy. What we got was a huge barrage of sound and lights and cultural exposure, all in taffeta, gold and sequins! Morocco meets Las Vegas...or Branson, Missouri!

There was first the banquet in a blue and gold velvet tent. The food was very good-soup, lamb, chicken, couscous, veggies! Throughout the dinner singers and dancers came through and performed their tribal custom. The place was swarming with tour busses! Even a few locals were in the crowd.

After dinner we roamed the huge arena watching and listening to the music of many different tribes, each with their own instruments, drums and dancers.

Then came the big event with horses and camels, a belly dancer, a parade of the tribes and a flying carpet. The lighting and staging were honestly terrible and we chuckled throughout.

We returned to the hotel tired and ready for the next adventure.