Marathon Des Sables 2021 - Desert Diary Day 10 & 11

Day 10

I awake with a mild headache, most likely due to dehydration from the desert and alcohol, I make my way to breakfast which I am hoping will compare favourably with the previous nights offerings, I am not to be disappointed.

The day is now all about relaxing and a little shopping.  I wander down to town on my own and am confronted by a kindly looking gentleman who crosses the huge main road to entice me into his shop.  I assure him that I will see him on my return.  Moments later, good to my word I am in his shop.

Unaware that a total con is in the planning, I agree to buy a camel carpet and a silver bracelet.  I am fairly happy with my negotiating from 285 Dirham to 100 Dirham.  I had been ensured by the owner that they took card as I had no cash.  When the carpet was wrapped and the jewellery was safely away I request the card machine and this is where it begins to unravel.  I am informed that they have no machine and that I will have to go to an ATM.  I pull out of the deal and am told that I can borrow his bike or we can share a taxi to a local ATM.  Realising what was happening I make my exit and am pursued up the road by two middle aged Moroccan brothers begging me to go down an alleyway to their ‘friend’ who has a machine.  Fortunately I am free now of the pursuit but making my way back to the Hotel at pace.  Friendly and familiar faces are spotted on the horizon and I join them feeling safer in a pack.

We arrive at the MDS Shop where various items of branded clothing etc. are for sale.  My group are also able to pick up their Finishers Shirts.  We then make our way back to the Hotel, via a proper market and also stopping for lunch on the way.  It is at this stage that my friend informs me that the carpet was in fact not £10 as I thought but in fact £100.

We decide to visit a local bottle shop and purchase some tins of beers and lemonade as the hotel is marked up by over four times for the same product.

The afternoon is passed in a small oasis within the hotel with four of us drinking our cans and sharing stories of the previous eight days.

In the evening we have a wonderful spread of food and I note that now ravenous Competitors are returning for seconds and even thirds of real food.  We then have an Award Ceremony for them and an opportunity to purchase for charity, various items of clothing from the race.  Almost £1000 is raised and the Organiser appears content.

Tables of people are now depleting as the evening draws to a close and I retire to my room around 11:30pm as tomorrow we travel again, but this time back to the UK.

Day 11

Breakfast is again outrageously good and in the safe knowledge that I have the correct documentation to enable me to return to the UK, I pack the remainder of my bag and await the arrival of the race buses.

Checkpoint is now complete and the bill paid, we get on the coach to make our final journey to Ouarzazate Airport and home.  I am both relieved and excited.  My journey started eleven days ago with my two friends and alas I am returning alone….

Until next time….. 2023