Kasbah near Marrakech
Not long ago I had the pleasure of reading Quest for the Kashah by explorer and Adventure with Purpose host Richard Bangs. The book blends history, music, art, culture and adventure with photographs from Marrakech, Casablanca, Fez, Essaouira, plus other Moroccan destinations. Most of all (as the title reveals), it explores the concept of the Kasbah — “the most authentic, architectural vestige” of Morocco’s past — a safe heaven and a place to meet people from different backgrounds.
Bangs begins his insightful companion book to the PBS special Morrocco: Quest for the Kasbah in Le Tichka Salam Marrakech Hotel, where he and his friend plan to trek over the Atlas Mountain range to Sahara. After their descent into the Mgoun Valley, they hike along the Mgoun River and soon pass their first Kasbah.
Of the stories that follow I especially enjoyed the chapter where Bangs meet the owner of Rick’s Café in Casablanca, and the parts on Ouarzazate, the town used as a backdrop in Hollywood films such as Cleopatra, Lawrence of Arabia, Kundun, Jewel of the Nile, Gladiator, Babel and Body of Lies.
The author’s thoughts on the importance of staying connected to nature, and how technology and the virtual world reduce our ability to form true bonds with people, also left an impression. At the end, Bangs asks: “Can we look to Morocco and its braided past and present to find a meaningful path to the future?” Once I’d finished Quest for the Kasbah, my answer is a resolute “yes”.
“Morocco today, and always, is a Kasbah with an open door.”
Richard Bangs has spent more than 30 years as an explorer, published over a thousand magazine articles, 19 books and a number of documentaries, and co-founded Mountain Travel Sobek — the leader in adventure travel.
Quest for the Kasbah was published by Open Road Guides and can be purchased through Amazon.
Disclaimer: I received a review copy of Quest for the Kasbah by Open Road Guides.
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Erica,
Since I am obsessed with Morocco, I think I will go out and buy this book!! Thanks for the recommendation!
Jen Laceda´s last blog ..Morocco by Numbers
You’re welcome. If you do decide to buy the book, I hope you’ll enjoy it!