Morocco to Timbuktu: an Arabian Adventure

[aeolium]

I very much enjoyed this brief - too brief - two-part documentary presented by Alice Morrison about her journey from the north coast of Morocco to Timbuktu:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08qlhl6

It helped that Morrison was knowledgeable about Arab culture and was fluent in Arabic and French. It was a bit surprising that she had planned a trip across the Sahara apparently unaware of the closure of the border on the Algerian side, and also had to abort a road journey south due to long-standing tensions in the Western Sahara, but she was an engaging guide and it was good to see insights into nomadic life, the ancient city of Sijilmasa and the library at Tamegroute, as well as Timbuktu itself. There was a tantalising glimpse of Malian music and dance near the end of the second episode and it made me think how good it would be to have a series on West African music.

This is the kind of thing - giving an insight into the history and culture of very different civilisations - that the BBC can do very well, particularly when it is more than just a travelogue.

[Richard Tarleton]

I too enjoyed it, an engaging guide as you say. But.....

As they maintained the illusion of just her and her trusty guide toiling on foot over the highest pass over the Atlas, I was curious (as so often) about the logistics of the trip - we only ever saw her with a smallish, very impractical-looking knapsack, which could not possibly have contained much more than her hairbrush and a few odds and ends - certainly not her sleeping bag, quilted jacket and numerous changes of outfit. Her cameraman had to carry a drone, as well as the rest of his gear - I was sure there was a 4x4 just out of shot to do the heavy lifting. Her credentials for this sort of expedition were clearly impeccable, but the logistics strained credulity at times..... I'm getting too old and cynical.

[vinteuil]

.... I'm getting too old and cynical.

... not at all - you are appropriately old and wisely cynical.

If mme v and I ever wanted to become real drunks we wd continue a drinking game started ages back (stopped for health reasons... ) of a drink for each obvious drone shot - a drink each time there is footage of train drawing out of station with our presenters on board ("What about your camera crew!!!) - a drink each time a presenter is seen from above on picturesque cliff-top/ peak/ precipice (extra drink if sunset / sunrise on offer) - a drink each time there is speedy-up footage of clouds - each time there is slowed-down footage of birds (extra for humming birds) - a drink each time there is 'swoopy music' in a natural history documentary... etc etc

re: this particular documentary - the pedant in me might want to bridle at their perhaps generously-extended use of the word 'Arabia'. Yes, the maghreb is largely populated by the descendants of the Arabs who conquered it; Arabic is the principal language. But "Arabia"???

[aeolium]

Well, it was never going to be a Wilfrid Thesiger sort of expedition, was it? I just take it for granted that there is invariably a small team of people supporting the presenter in these programmes. I couldn't believe the problems with the travel arrangements though, as if these were obstacles unexpectedly sprung on the production team - perhaps Ms Morrison is an unworldly academic type not au fait with present political realities in the area, but surely her producer should have checked up in advance of the journey. The land border between Morocco and Algeria has been closed since 1994.

[Richard Tarleton]

By the way her knapsack also contained shampoo and conditioner, lots of it

[Serial_Apologist]

By the way her knapsack also contained shampoo and conditioner, lots of it

Perhaps then, she's featuring in a Western that is also being filmed out there.

[johncorrigan]

I very much enjoyed this brief - too brief - two-part documentary presented by Alice Morrison about her journey from the north coast of Morocco to Timbuktu:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08qlhl6

It helped that Morrison was knowledgeable about Arab culture and was fluent in Arabic and French. It was a bit surprising that she had planned a trip across the Sahara apparently unaware of the closure of the border on the Algerian side, and also had to abort a road journey south due to long-standing tensions in the Western Sahara, but she was an engaging guide and it was good to see insights into nomadic life, the ancient city of Sijilmasa and the library at Tamegroute, as well as Timbuktu itself. There was a tantalising glimpse of Malian music and dance near the end of the second episode and it made me think how good it would be to have a series on West African music.

This is the kind of thing - giving an insight into the history and culture of very different civilisations - that the BBC can do very well, particularly when it is more than just a travelogue.

Really enjoyable - I thought she got a lot of good responses from everyday people. Certainly there were drawbacks but I thought it was a great two-parter, and I enjoyed the trip to Timbuktu.

[gurnemanz]

Agree with above contributions. So much more rewarding to have a knowledgeable and enthusiastic local rather than a "celebrity".

[greenilex]

Have always been fascinated by Tuareg culture since our Nigerian years. I too appreciated the programme I saw.

[Globaltruth]

Yes, also enjoyed it.
A knowledgable guide, here is her blog on the adventure.

http://www.alicemorrison.co.uk/blog/

Visited several of these places in the 70's., although we never made it to Timbuktu, Agadir was the furthest South.
Of them all, Fez is the one I would like to go back to.

I had similar thoughts re filming, although it is now an accepted artifice and I'm not sure what the alternative is?

Anyway, and obviously, similar journeys on this continent but with an emphasis on music would be hugely appreciated...

[johncorrigan]

Anyway, and obviously, similar journeys on this continent but with an emphasis on music would be hugely appreciated...

Agreed, Global. In days gone by they'd have packed Dr Duran's pipe and bell tent away and sent her, Kershaw and Parkin off in their khaki shorts and to hell with it; and I for one would looked forward to the show!