Within my first few hours of being in Morocco, I immediately knew I would find myself there again in the future. As much as I love France, Morocco is much more my style. The architecture, the food, the culture, the traditions ... I can't help but wonder how it has taken me over two decades to visit somewhere that I felt like I was meant for. I've been working on this blog post for hours trying to come up with the right things to say about my time in Morocco, but nothing seems to do it justice. But because I just can't help myself, here's some of my fondest memories of my travels to Fès and Marrakech:
Moroccan hospitality:
Upon entering the Riad Dar Rabha in Fès, my friend, Ally, and I were immediately welcomed with mint tea and sincere conversation. Once we met Aziz and Yusuf, two men who work at the hostel, we instantly felt as if we joined a new family. Yusuf constantly looked out for our safety and proudly showed us different parts of the city. He also took us grocery shopping and taught us how to make couscous on our last night in Fès. Aziz, the owner, always made sure were having a good time. Our first night there, he excitedly knocked on our door and told us about the charity-sponsored wedding festival going on in town. He even helped us find our way there.
Once we got to Marrakech, the amazing hospitality kept on flowing. Abdel, the manager at Riad Layla Rouge, also made us feel extremely welcomed. He marked up a map with all the best places to visit in the city and got us a discount on our dinner at his friend's restaurant. This was nothing like I had experienced at other hostels or hotels anywhere else in the world. Most hostel employees in Europe simply tell you what time breakfast is at, when you can or can't be in the room and what time you need to check out – and that's it. But not in Morocco. They treat you how you would treat a family member or friend if he or she was sleeping over at your house. Actually, they probably treat you even better than that. One of the hardest things about leaving Morocco was saying goodbye to Yusuf, Aziz and Abdel. I can't compliment these men enough, not for only being great at their jobs, but also for being genuinely incredible human beings.
Moroccan cuisine – flavor, flavor, flavor:
After returning from my trip, my landlords, teachers and friends all asked me about it. The first thing I replied to each of them was, "On mange bien au Maroc," meaning one eats well in Morocco. That statement could not be any more true. Don't get me wrong, French food is great. But for someone who loves experimenting with different sauces and spices, it doesn't always hit the spot. However, I don't think my taste buds have ever been happier than they were after being introduced to authentic tajine, couscous, pastilla, kebabs, Moroccan omelets and fresh squeezed orange juice. (Interesting fact I learned in Fès: one of the reasons Americanized couscous never turns out very well is because Americans tend to boil it, whereas Moroccans steam it. If you're looking for the real deal, try the steam method ... or just go to Morocco. It'll be worth it – Scout's honor.)
Moroccan hospitality:
Upon entering the Riad Dar Rabha in Fès, my friend, Ally, and I were immediately welcomed with mint tea and sincere conversation. Once we met Aziz and Yusuf, two men who work at the hostel, we instantly felt as if we joined a new family. Yusuf constantly looked out for our safety and proudly showed us different parts of the city. He also took us grocery shopping and taught us how to make couscous on our last night in Fès. Aziz, the owner, always made sure were having a good time. Our first night there, he excitedly knocked on our door and told us about the charity-sponsored wedding festival going on in town. He even helped us find our way there.
Once we got to Marrakech, the amazing hospitality kept on flowing. Abdel, the manager at Riad Layla Rouge, also made us feel extremely welcomed. He marked up a map with all the best places to visit in the city and got us a discount on our dinner at his friend's restaurant. This was nothing like I had experienced at other hostels or hotels anywhere else in the world. Most hostel employees in Europe simply tell you what time breakfast is at, when you can or can't be in the room and what time you need to check out – and that's it. But not in Morocco. They treat you how you would treat a family member or friend if he or she was sleeping over at your house. Actually, they probably treat you even better than that. One of the hardest things about leaving Morocco was saying goodbye to Yusuf, Aziz and Abdel. I can't compliment these men enough, not for only being great at their jobs, but also for being genuinely incredible human beings.
Moroccan cuisine – flavor, flavor, flavor:
After returning from my trip, my landlords, teachers and friends all asked me about it. The first thing I replied to each of them was, "On mange bien au Maroc," meaning one eats well in Morocco. That statement could not be any more true. Don't get me wrong, French food is great. But for someone who loves experimenting with different sauces and spices, it doesn't always hit the spot. However, I don't think my taste buds have ever been happier than they were after being introduced to authentic tajine, couscous, pastilla, kebabs, Moroccan omelets and fresh squeezed orange juice. (Interesting fact I learned in Fès: one of the reasons Americanized couscous never turns out very well is because Americans tend to boil it, whereas Moroccans steam it. If you're looking for the real deal, try the steam method ... or just go to Morocco. It'll be worth it – Scout's honor.)
The thrill of the barter:
I like to think that growing up with parents who frequent flea markets, estate sales and second-hand stores has really benefited me as a person. My inherent bargaining skills proved to be especially handy in the souks of Fès and Marrakech, as one of the greatest things to do in Morocco is shop (which means a lot coming from me as someone who normally wants nothing to do with the activity unless it's at Goodwill). I'm a born-and-raised thrifter, and proud of it.
In Morocco, it is customary to negotiate prices with sellers, something a lot of people may be uncomfortable doing. But not me – it came naturally. I was even told by a carpet salesmen in Fès that I drive a harder bargain than his grandmother – an extreme compliment, in my book. And not only are you able to get some beautiful things and very reasonable prices, they're incredibly high quality. As the proud new owner of a hand-embroidered table runner, a camel leather messenger bag, and astonishingly magnificent Moroccan carpet, I couldn't be happier with my new treasures.
But perhaps the best thing about Morocco was feeling so far away from the rest of the world. When is the next time in my life that I will witness an ancient tea ceremony in a traditional village? What about being able to walk down crowded pedestrian streets without a motorized vehicle in sight ? And then there's the beauty of spending hours sitting on a rooftop terrace with fascinating people from all over the world, accompanied by a cool breeze and the sound of the Islamic Call to Prayer lingering in the background. It's like nowhere else on Earth, people, and I can promise you that.
This trip was was my first opportunity to visit a Muslim country and it was also my first time in Africa. After spending five months in Paris and sometimes forgetting that I'm not at home, this trip helped me remember that I was in a foreign country and have been since January. Morocco also reminded me why it is that I love to travel: to discover the different parts of the world and all the people, cultures and treasures in it. Even though it's only been a few days since I left Morocco, I already feel a yearning to return, but this time I'll be staying much, much longer.
I like to think that growing up with parents who frequent flea markets, estate sales and second-hand stores has really benefited me as a person. My inherent bargaining skills proved to be especially handy in the souks of Fès and Marrakech, as one of the greatest things to do in Morocco is shop (which means a lot coming from me as someone who normally wants nothing to do with the activity unless it's at Goodwill). I'm a born-and-raised thrifter, and proud of it.
In Morocco, it is customary to negotiate prices with sellers, something a lot of people may be uncomfortable doing. But not me – it came naturally. I was even told by a carpet salesmen in Fès that I drive a harder bargain than his grandmother – an extreme compliment, in my book. And not only are you able to get some beautiful things and very reasonable prices, they're incredibly high quality. As the proud new owner of a hand-embroidered table runner, a camel leather messenger bag, and astonishingly magnificent Moroccan carpet, I couldn't be happier with my new treasures.
But perhaps the best thing about Morocco was feeling so far away from the rest of the world. When is the next time in my life that I will witness an ancient tea ceremony in a traditional village? What about being able to walk down crowded pedestrian streets without a motorized vehicle in sight ? And then there's the beauty of spending hours sitting on a rooftop terrace with fascinating people from all over the world, accompanied by a cool breeze and the sound of the Islamic Call to Prayer lingering in the background. It's like nowhere else on Earth, people, and I can promise you that.
This trip was was my first opportunity to visit a Muslim country and it was also my first time in Africa. After spending five months in Paris and sometimes forgetting that I'm not at home, this trip helped me remember that I was in a foreign country and have been since January. Morocco also reminded me why it is that I love to travel: to discover the different parts of the world and all the people, cultures and treasures in it. Even though it's only been a few days since I left Morocco, I already feel a yearning to return, but this time I'll be staying much, much longer.