Morocco 2009

Thirty years... even a bit more than thirty years I had not set foot in Morocco, the land of my childhood.
2009 : I have gone back... way back thanks to a Tour-Operator...
I had personally thought of it and expected to very much change. My country is not my country. It goes on its life and so do I on my side.
However we have recognized each other. I shall always remember that first night. Landing on the tarmac of Marrakech. A blow of hot african air as soon as getting off the jet. A pleasant hotel with its swimming pool where bathers were enjoying. Inconceivable in France on November...
Way back to Rabat... the street of my home... the inhabitants of our flat remembered Cagnon family. Incredible but actually true.
Visit of Meknès and Fès, the other two imperial cities... typical architectural heritage of Orient, with a characterized personality of each town.
In fact, one thousand and one visions of Orient, one thousand and one smells, one thousand and one rumours, one thousand and one souvenirs which friendly shake you. Of course, it's not paradise (it doesn't exist down here) : poverty, shanty towns, children compelled to work, OK stop it.
But improvement also progressively appears : the statute of women, birth of a bourgeoisie which did not exist during my young years, expression freedom, intensified schooling in the cities likewise the country, OK I can't enumerate everything...
And all above of that, we were granted a remarkable thoughtful guide, objectively telling his country without plunging in the postal card cliché...
Misfortune, I had worn a defective camera with some problems concerning light tightness of the body. Many missed photos because of the overexposed film. Then however I have kept them. Besides, thanks to pictures registered in my brain, I have made the herewith drawings that I gladly share with you.
(copyright Jean-Michel Cagnon)