Updated: 1/19/20 | January 19th, 2020
Have you ever loved a destination but couldn’t figure out why – or even a way – to express your feelings? That’s my problem with Morocco.
In August, I went on a trip with Intrepid travel and crossed off a country that has long been on my bucket list. I rode a camel, drank all the mint tea I could find, got lost in medinas, and ate much more couscous than I thought was humanly possible.
I loved the etrip. Our guide Rashid was friendly, took us out to smoke shisha, introduced us to the locals, and was typically very helpful. I made pals with my trip mates and got along with my roommate (which, on a tour, is a substantial blessing).
Morocco itself blew my mind. I loved walking down the street and being barraged by the smell of 1,000 different spices, getting lost in the maze-like medinas with their unlimited nooks and crannies, the chaos of millions of people shuffling about with vendors vying for your attention, and the crimson red of the Sahara with its unlimited rolling dunes were all I wanted them to be.
Sure, there were numerous overwhelming moments when I felt like a fish out of water and things didn’t go my way. but I relish those moments because it’s when you are pushed out of your comfort zone that you grow.
Travel is about feeling uncomfortable.
Morocco was everything I wanted it to be. It lived up to all my expectations, but for some reason, my experience has been hard to verbalize. Why can’t I express how I feel about Morocco? It’s been bothering me for months.
I’ve racked my brain thinking about it, pondered it on trains, and stared at a blinking cursor while trying to write about it.
Then, all of a sudden a few weeks ago, the reason hit me.
One constant in my travels — and I’m sure numerous of you might feel the same — is that of a touchstone, one defining point where the trip all comes together and acts as a prism for everything the journey represented.
On my trip to Japan, it was befriending a local who wanted to learn English.
In Costa Rica, it was getting lost in a jungle.
In Ukraine, it was drinking vodka with locals who knew less English than I knew Russian (and I only know “cheers” and “hello”).
On my first check out to Thailand, it was meeting those five people who changed my life.
In Ios, it was being taken to a local community festival by my hostel owner.
Most trips revolve around one memory that crystalizes the trip and puts everything into focus. Each of the moments ties together all my other memories of a place: the food, the smells, the sights, the people. It’s the first thing that concerns mind when you think of the place.
Despite the fantastic times I had and the remarkable schedule Intrepid put together, I’ve realized the reason I’m so ambivalent about Morocco is because I lack that touchstone. There’s no “whoa” moment I can point to where I felt ultra-connected to the country.
But, while I lack a big moment, I have thousands of little ones — staring at the a million stars in the blackness of the desert, wandering the empty ruins of Volubilis, discovering new foods with some remarkable Australians on my tour, befriending the fish sellers and gorging on fresh seafood in Essaouira, getting lost in medinas, haggling over a chess set and laughing with the seller, and drinking about 1,000 pots of mint tea (OK, small exaggeration, it was much more likely 999).
Maybe you don’t need that one special moment. maybe I’ve relied on that touchstone as a crutch for too long.
Paul Theroux once said travel is only glamorous in retrospect. I’m not sure I agree with that but what I am sure about is that, in retrospect, I’m only now really appreciating the time I spent in Morocco and how distinct it was.
Sometimes your senses get so battered it takes time for the dust to settle, the thoughts to process, and the fantastic moments to shine through.
***Editor’s Note: I went to Morocco with Intrepid travel on their best of Morocco tour. It was part of my ongoing partnership with Intrepid Travel. They covered the cost of the tour, flight, and meals.
Book Your trip to Morocco: Logistical suggestions and Tricks
Book Your Flight
Use Skyscanner or Momondo to find a low-cost flight. They are my two favorite search engines because they search sites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned. start with Skyscanner first though because they have the most significant reach!
Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the most significant inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the most affordable rates for guesthouses and low-cost hotels. My favorite places to stay are:
Riad Layla Rouge (Marrakech)
LHostel a Casablanca (Casablanca)
Dar Rabha (Fez)
Don’t forget travel Insurance
Travel insurance will safeguard you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s extensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it numerous times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:
Safety Wing (for everyone below 70)
Insure My trip (for those over 70)
Medjet (for additional repatriation coverage)
Looking for the best companies to save money With?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use to save money when I’m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too.
Want much more information on Morocco?
Be sure to check out our robust destination guide on Morocco for even much more suggestions on how to plan your visit!
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