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Yalla - The Morocco Trip

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Morocco, travelling horse
Happiness, Morocco march 2017

To go to Sidi Kaouki from Essouira you have to take a bus which passes only 4 times per day and in 30 minutes brings you to that beautiful paradise where you can surf, chill, eat and ride horses. It is a lovely journey on a machine without any kind of suspensions so your neck and body are in continue pain ahaha, crazily rickety I swear, sometimes some chickens too. Amazing, not to mention as well that it is always so full that if you do or do not have a seat, it doesn't really matter, in any case you'll smell the axel of your Moroccan neighbor. All for just 70 cent tho. Pretty good right :)? What I liked the most during this many trips to Sidi Kaouki on this bus is the ambience. People start to talk and laugh and for me was really easy to speak and laugh with them as well. Here in this pic a bunch of young fellas was making fun of this old man, which couldn't stop laughing. 
I am really happy of this shot, I was quick enough that nobody understood I took it. It is difficult to photograph Moroccans 
On my way to almost die on some rocks. SAVAGE ASSSSSS FUUUUUUU... Always with this good fella of mine ;) he taught me a lot. 
He taught me a lot about surfing and behave in the water. Especially when there are big waves and you loose control. Never loose the focus, don t give any room to the panic to take over. There is Always time to turn the situation, remember to breath and look around. Take advantage of the waves and their force, don t and I say never try to swim against them, you ll just loose your strength and concentration to finally find your self in the same position of before or even worse. Surfing is not just a beautiful sport, keep calm and exploit the waves my friends. 
I am still learning the lesson, thank you @mouhssinkharbouch
Another tea-with-shit-ton-of-sugar break.

Moroccans are very hospitable.
I arrived in Sidi Kaouki, to spend one night in a pension with nothing but my backpack. My plan was to hit the road the day after to head to Imsouanne: a surfing paradise. But the hospitality of the people in that village in the middle of nowhere convinced me to stay more. Outside of the cities far away from the chaos, Moroccans enjoy the slow life, happy and chill. Everybody knows eachother and they can be really open to the foreigners who show respect in their manners. 
Here they invited me for a tea while I was walking down the street, we began drinkin it with not so many words... At the end I was shaking and laughing so much. Probably for the quantity of sugar in it? Maybe. Most likely for all the anecdotes and jokes we were telling each other. 
That man, damn look at the style!!!!! 
The pípí guy contemplating the infinite. Pure poetry and relax.

He was always there as a sentinel to charge people some money. I managed to evade the surveillance many times ehehe. He was a nice guy, after a couple of days he started to call me "Berbero". I dunno why to be honest. Berbers are the autochthonous population of the north-african countries. Known in Morocco to be good at closing good business. "Ahhhhhhh el Berbero" he said 
Good deal with the merchant, good start of the day

My calm breakfast at 8 am facing the only road of Sidi Kaouki Is interrupted by the loud and ferrous noise of an old truck. It was white, yes, some years ago, now it is just rusty. This old merchant, rusty as his vehicle comes down and silently opens the back. I am curious and I stand up, I make my way through some villagers and I am hooked. I want that fish. In Morocco you can easily find someone who would cook a fish for you, for tiny money. 
And so it happened some hours later in a restaurant. Grilled. Terrific.
How much ? 40 Dirham - 4 €. He started from 100 Dirham. I probably got fucked anyways but I was proud of myself: it was one of my first deals there. Many people who travel to Morocco get robbed in every deal. As a good friend of mine from Morocco taught me: there is not a standard price for almost anything, no kidding, if you are good in making deals you can also get things for less than the half of their starting price. 
Adventure.
Explore, discover, be open to the new, the unknown and to all the amazing people you can meet out there. Say yes! Jump, swimm, work hard, walk long distances, surf, take the reins and taste the life. Start to push your limits, because out there is terrific I swear.

Sidi kaouki 2017.
Sidi Kaouki taxi driver

In Morocco stress doesn't exist. I was talking with this guy at the "parking spots", really nice calm smokey fella, when I told him I needed to wait for the next bus to go back to Essouira where I was staying for the night.

I swear, a place out of a movie set, people waiting under the sun for a bus that would come just god knows when. At the edge of a small street which crosses Sidi Kaouki: a tiny paradise on the coast of Africa. Noise of the ocean and of the wind in the background. At some point a taxi driver starts to shout and many people ran to his car. My friend tells me to ran and catch that taxi which was going back to Essouira because there were not clients. I got a free ride, me and other 6 people of course. We played Tetris in the car.

Another morning, another ride.
Sidi kaouki beach: a Paradise. 
HE LOOKS LIKE SHIA LABEOUF!!! That morning of March I missed the bus to go to Sidi Kaouki. Shame, because the busses pass every two/threehours/when they god damn want. So I met this crazy polite and friendly guy who missed the bus too. We teamed up and after one hour we succeeded to leave with a car and other 6 people in it. Amazing. I love Morocco and its people. Seriously.
I don't remember his name, but for me he will always remain Shia from Morocco. 
I think I have a fixation about Shia Labeouf tho.
Sidi Kaouki - This is the paradise I am talking about.
This is the paradise I am talking about p2.
Sidi Kaouki 
S T Y L E
He is a surfer, he is happy.

That day of march was my last one in Sidi Kaouki. After spending 5 days there I was finally moving on to my solo trip next location. Next stop: IMSOUANE. Apparently a paradise for surfers. 
This is the thing about Morocco: you hear many many many things from locals about the best places but most of the time they cannot explain you how to reach those places. Why? Because the transportations in Morocco are still crazily old and with no regulation. So I HEARD I had to catch a bus direction Agadir from Essouira and than jump out at some point, somewhere....I heard... It is the spirit of the adventure. I LIKE IT 
Time to leave and hit the road. After 5 days in sidi Kaouki you already feel a sensation of emptiness when the moment to continue your trip comes. 
Few minutes after this pic I was running down the street after the last bus of the night. 
Next stop: IMSOUANE

I consider myself a lucky person, because everytime I follow my instinct and thought about where to go, who to speak with and what is better to choose between different possibilities I end up in great situations. Or maybe it is just because if you are passionate and positive about what you do you'll turn it into gold.
This is a great example: from the first day I "landed" in Sidi Kaouki I met just great people and had great days. No kidding, unbelievable. Be open, be yourself. And you ll love what comes. Here in the picture me and Ali, the owner of one of the surf club.
Super kind person. We had really interesting conversation about his ideas of being devoted to the connection between soul and nature. 
I ve never met and individual like him before: the most peaceful person ever. Great respect. And cool glasses dude. 
This is a: "see you later Berbero" :) 
HIT THE ROAD FRANKIE.

That morning in Essouira after dealing for 20 minutes about the price with what looks like a random guy in the street ( actually the bus driver's friend. In the picture) I jump on a bus. The bus leaves after 2 hours. They live just when it is full, occasionally they drive around to collect people from the streets, pretty hilarious.

Let me say here that if you ever go to Morocco you have to be tough when you deal for the price of something. Because they will try to fuck u up, especially at the bus stations, pure hell.

Direction south, next stop: IMSOUANE. I was going there because I heard from many locals that it is the place to be if you want to have amazing surfing and see a great natural spot too. But other than this what I ve been said about how to get there is to catch the bus direction AGADIR and to remind the driver ( and be insistent ) that I have to go to Imsouane. He would leave me at a crossroads in the middle of nowhere. Let s see.....
MADE IT TO IMSOUANE !
Even though the busses don't go to that Paradise, you can ask around. When I arrived at the village the driver dropped me at a roundabout, the only one. From that point there are two possibilities: left or right or better THE BAY or THE CATHEDRAL (the two beaches). I chose right and went looking for a place where to stay. Heheheheeheheh. The very last stair at the end of the Cathedral reserved a place of honour for me, for just 10€ per night ( of course after 20 minutes dealing in front of a cup of tea). 

BEAT by TempoTEP
Now a crazy cheap and perfect room with the most stunning panorama I've ever seen (right on the video before this pic). I can't believe it, am I in heaven? As if it was not enough, every morning I was awakened by this little beautiful monster, I guess kids like me ahah. As soon as I opened the door in the morning he was there jumping on my bed. He was the child of the owner. That place had such nice familiar vibes.
A simple photo.
I took this pic with the phone one morning in Imsouane, just after waking up. I wanted to keep memory of that moment: I was extremely happy and in peace. Of course the location was helping a lot. I mean, imagine yourself waking up with the sound of the waves in your hears... Wow!
I was happy because I had made it and immediately had found what I was looking for.
It was my first solo trip. I mean a PROPER solo trip. I am talking about not having prearranged plans, no reservations, no internet, nothing. Adventure, changes of plans and my camera.
Waking up one morning like that, made me realized I achieved what I went there for: simplicity. 
This photo tells this
Me and my gear. 
I swear, I was happier than what looks like in this photo.

YashicaT4: my analog camera.
I have other cameras but this so far is the one I prefer for travelling. It has a really good lens and as you can see it is practical as fuuuuu. Not invasive and easy to carry around ( and hide ).
I shoot almost everything in film since 1 year and a half. TOP. 
WHEN YOUR BABE WANTS TO WATCH THE NEW EPISODE OF BEAUTIFUL BUT THE TV DOESN T WORK.
➡️ABDUL:
I dont't know, it was 7pm, I was walking back to my hostel after a day surfing. You know... I was not even that much surprised to see Abdul up there. Why? Go to Morocco and will talk about it 
Blue, red, more blue. This is the old part of the village, on the edge of the Cathedral: one of the two beaches there. I am happy I chose a place there where to stay because the other part of the village (on the hill) was built more recently. Here instead I could enjoy the beautiful cluster of houses which characterizes the moroccan rural style. My spot was pretty high compared to the other houses because it was on the top of the hill. well, these are the houses which surrounded me. Only in this pic you can see 5 different entrances. 
Everything I remember about this guy is his 350 teeth smile always on his face. He works at the restaurant in Imsouane, the one right on the edge of the only roundabout in the village. Amazing big Tajine. The fish one? Terrific! Well, just laughs and good food. The best mate ever ahah. Once I asked him if he knew someone to buy some hashishi from
He didn’t even flinch, he turned around and continued cooking. Ahah I was flabbergasted. (Later we discovered it was full of bourgeois police there). Best mate.
Imsouane, The Cathedral in the early morning, view from my room’s balcony. There is nothing better than waking up with the sound of the waves.

Great Breakfast at his bar. I liked to go there pretty early in the morning, before all the other surfers woke up to have my breakfast with the locals in the traditional way: bread in the hand and attack the same plate. One morning was hilarious, I was surrounded by 7 or 8 Moroccans, ahah it was a mess: hands everywhere, Arab language only and a lot of spits across the table. There I discovered the Amlou, Oh god. It is this peanut butter produced in Morocco close to Agadir. Oh god. They mix it with Argan Oil. Oh god. Well let me explain the real deal here: 
3EUR: 1 omelette, 25kg of bread, 1 cafe Olè ( cortado ), Amlou, honey, jam, butter, more Amlou ( oh god ), cheese and orange juice, fresh assss fuuuuu. 
During our path we meet countless people, but it is important to understand who counts. Follow you instinct and your passions, go! And you will surprisingly meet people that share the same philosophy of life, good friends, in places where you would have never expected it.

He is Stefano, traveller as well. We met in Imsouane in the water while surfing, a great coincidence. I believe in them :) We share the same passions: explore the world and open our horizons. But what s more to us is the desire to DO MORE! Chasing our dreams it is not an easy thing, you have to work hard, listen to that little voice inside you and be strong against whoever tells you can't. YOU CAN. And for me it is important when I find someone who always wants more, like me, because it makes me feel not totally crazy ahah.

He is now travelling the world since 3 years. He doing a great work documenting his experiences with his personal photography. From his last pictures I felt like I was in Africa volunteering with him. 
Here he is you want to it check out
@stefano.world

Time to leave. That was my last day in that paradise. I was leaving my cozy room for the adventure again. Next stop: Taghazout! Imsouane is just two amazing beaches with one restaurant and three people in the middle of nothing, difficult to reach, where just adventurer and/or people with vans were coming. Taghazout is closer to Agadir, a big city in the south and surfers find it easier to go there. This to me meant: more surfers and maybe chicas eheh
ROUND OF REGARDS DOWN AT THE VILLAGE
Before leaving I passed saying goodbye to a couple of people I had met at the village during the days at Imsouane. This surfshop: good stuff. And great deals and times with my friend Mr style "I surf with the snapback". Il Bangla ho tutto del Marocco, the notorious abde Nodis Boutary!
Hitch-hiking in Morocco is fuuuuun!
Well, nothing much to say I hit the road again that day. Direction Taghazout! I went again on the top of mountain with the help of my fellas here. To go to the only street that goes from Essouira to Agadir. Once there looking for a way to go just a little southern, in a village called Taghazout. As imsouane it is a good spot for surfing but significantly more populated cause of a party scene. Not really my thing, I prefer amazing natural paradise as Imsouane was. But yeah damn! :)! a lot of surfers over there! Let s go!
HOW MANY THINGS A HUMAN BEING CAN DO IN ONE DAY? I LIKE TO TRY MY BEST EVERYDAY.

11AM 
Fun car from Imsouane 
Left, somewhere, again.
Hitch-hickin' To Taghazout 
Met an Australian mate in an avodaco shake bar. Damn so good btw!
Followed him To his hostel.
Left the bag.
Back to the main road.
Met a German couple. 
Taken a taxi direction Banana Village ( close to Taghazout )
Met a Peruvian and a German guy
Bought a lot of bananas 
Made a deal with a car driver 
Met two German hippie girls with cylum
Up! On the top of the valley for the sunset. 
Photo 18 or 19PM
Feeling satisfied
BECAUSE WHEN NOTHING IS FOR SURE, ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN
Justamazing place. Sunset on the top of the valley, just unbelievable. Believe me. Than one thing finally crossed my mind. How da f**k do I go back to my hostel and my belongings now???
At this time in the total darkness far far away with just unknown people. Way to go Franco :) top. But this is where things got interesting. 
EMBRACE THE ADVENTURE...
Let me talk about something I care:

That night started early, the sun left us around 19:30 with a magical view of the valley. Cold . Complete darkness, of course we were in the middle of nowhere: a enormous naturalistic spot where electricity is a a luxury. It was a furtune to have met the Germans with the cylum: we followed them in complete darkness for 20 minutes uphill, till we reached this home on the edge of the mountain. It has its own homemade aqueduct. Gorgeous. 
That night we were hosted by an indigenous Berber family. Hospitality and kindness. I was in the middle of the left behind world, we made bread in the underground oven in the garden, we chopped vegetables and boom tajina was ready. We all ate in the most humble way possible: Piece of bread and attack. Hands everywhere. 
Than the rooftop. Guys, one of the most beautiful moment of peace I ve ever had. We had a guitar, me the Peruvian the three Germans, the kind father and the only child of the family. 
This guy, this little guy was real energy, dynamite. A person full of life and joy. Pure. 
He was fortunately the son of the man who works in the house of a rich man and when brain cancer was diagnosed. He was brought to Switzerland to be operated, and got healed.
What I want to say? I don t know. It just made me happy. Really happy.
On the edge of the mountain.
Pitstop at Banana village for a quick re-charge of bananas. Nobody would never know how many of this I ate. Sweeet!
Surfing in Taghazout. When I came down from the mountains I got back in my hostel and after some organisation I went to the nearest beach to surf a little. 
Give me the ocean and I ll jump inside like a frog in a pond. The connection I have with the water is unbelievable, it makes me happy. Plus: sport. Done the smile is out. 
Try to practice your passions every day!! You don' have time? Find it! try harder!
FOLLOW THE STORY ON INSTAGRAM:
https://www.instagram.com/frankdubini/?hl=it
AND YOUTUBE:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnT_qXEUxpzij6FdujqXuaQ
Yalla - The Morocco Trip
Published:

Yalla - The Morocco Trip

Published: