Please don't hate me for never having seen the classic movie Sleepless in Seattle -- I probably shouldn't even be using it as my title, but taking it literally, it seemed fitting because I barely slept in Morocco. Okay maybe it doesn't make any sense sorry--shoot its stupid I know!! But I'm keeping it.
Now before I get into the details of my trip I wanted to remind everyone of the following:
1) I'm back after months of being inactive so check out the post "I'm back!" if you haven't yet
2) My grammar sucks, sorry I ain't sorry
3) Read on! I'll try my best to post weekly--Enjoy :)
I never realized how much I traveled in the past several years until my trip to Morocco this past weekend. Although each trip is unique and different in its own way, I always find myself comparing them. When I remember a city, I think of the emotions I felt, how the people I met made me feel, what I saw, the food I tasted, etc. My trip to the Philippines was pure happiness--being reunited with all my family after 10 long years was an incredible experience I will never forget. My trip to Valencia for my study abroad semester was both nerve wracking and exciting as I headed off far away from home to learn Spanish, travel Europe, and throw myself into a culture completely different from my own. Morocco is unlike any trip I've ever experienced, and I think it's best to say that my trip there was a combination of every feeling I've ever had in all my travels. I was nervous going to a foreign land with little knowledge of the history, culture, and language. I was anxious going solo with a tour group, unsure of whether I would find people I would get along with or not. I was excited for our camel ride and overnight stay in the Sahara desert. I was scared that, in light of what has been happening in the world, I would find myself in danger. I was sad knowing this was going to be my longest time away from Vigo since arriving in September. But most of all I was open-minded to experience a culture I knew very little about, try exotic food and drinks, meet people I had never encountered, learn the history of a place that has been so tainted by the media, roam the markets and packed streets of Fez, and everything else in between that Morocco has to offer.
After 5 days in Morocco, I can say it will be one of the most memorable trips of my life. I saw men riding donkeys, camels carrying market goods on their hump, barefoot children covered in dust begging for money, street vendors harassing you to buy their items, mountainous terrain I had never seen before, the sunset and sunrise in the desert, traditional Moroccan dance, shooting stars, and bright untouched orange sand dunes. I heard artisans carving knives, the footsteps of a donkey creeping behind me, pottery makers hammering hardened clay, laughter, yelling, Moroccan music, and the harsh yet beautiful Arabic language. I smelt heavy Moroccan spices, camel shit, bathroom piss, and dry Saharan desert air. I touched a camel, the cold desert sand, mandarins, the intricate and delicately designed ceramics, and I tasted everything. And the best part was I got to experience all of this with some pretty incredible people. I can share the story of my painful camel ride to the Sahara desert, my wariness trying food that poisoned several of my friends who visited Morocco last year, the long long long (×7 hours) bus rides, our ridiculous trip organizers, the windy and twisting market streets of Fez, and the cold Sahara Desert night, but only the people in the tour company will truly understand the words I have written on this page and the feelings I have expressed.
Together we were able to experience an authentic and unforgettable trip. Being a foreigner with a tour company, I felt we got the most authentic experience we possibly could have had. We avoided touristy areas like Marrakesh, Casablanca, and Tangier. Instead we saw real Moroccan people living their everyday life and the extreme class differences within the community -- from Berbers selling goods to artisans making their craft to the richest of the rich strolling around in the (can't remember the name) neighborhood to the sweat of the Moroccan men balancing heavy items on their head. In addition, we were fortunate enough to see all the beauty Morocco has to offer, from the beautiful geometric architecture to the blue and white fishing town in Asilah to the breathtaking panoramic view of Fez. Morocco is truly unique in its own way.
As my long weekend comes to a close, I just want to thank you Morocco for sharing your culture, language, warmth, beauty, and hospitality with me. I am so appreciative of it all, and you will be seeing me again someday.
Peace&love,
Charina
Now before I get into the details of my trip I wanted to remind everyone of the following:
1) I'm back after months of being inactive so check out the post "I'm back!" if you haven't yet
2) My grammar sucks, sorry I ain't sorry
3) Read on! I'll try my best to post weekly--Enjoy :)
I never realized how much I traveled in the past several years until my trip to Morocco this past weekend. Although each trip is unique and different in its own way, I always find myself comparing them. When I remember a city, I think of the emotions I felt, how the people I met made me feel, what I saw, the food I tasted, etc. My trip to the Philippines was pure happiness--being reunited with all my family after 10 long years was an incredible experience I will never forget. My trip to Valencia for my study abroad semester was both nerve wracking and exciting as I headed off far away from home to learn Spanish, travel Europe, and throw myself into a culture completely different from my own. Morocco is unlike any trip I've ever experienced, and I think it's best to say that my trip there was a combination of every feeling I've ever had in all my travels. I was nervous going to a foreign land with little knowledge of the history, culture, and language. I was anxious going solo with a tour group, unsure of whether I would find people I would get along with or not. I was excited for our camel ride and overnight stay in the Sahara desert. I was scared that, in light of what has been happening in the world, I would find myself in danger. I was sad knowing this was going to be my longest time away from Vigo since arriving in September. But most of all I was open-minded to experience a culture I knew very little about, try exotic food and drinks, meet people I had never encountered, learn the history of a place that has been so tainted by the media, roam the markets and packed streets of Fez, and everything else in between that Morocco has to offer.
After 5 days in Morocco, I can say it will be one of the most memorable trips of my life. I saw men riding donkeys, camels carrying market goods on their hump, barefoot children covered in dust begging for money, street vendors harassing you to buy their items, mountainous terrain I had never seen before, the sunset and sunrise in the desert, traditional Moroccan dance, shooting stars, and bright untouched orange sand dunes. I heard artisans carving knives, the footsteps of a donkey creeping behind me, pottery makers hammering hardened clay, laughter, yelling, Moroccan music, and the harsh yet beautiful Arabic language. I smelt heavy Moroccan spices, camel shit, bathroom piss, and dry Saharan desert air. I touched a camel, the cold desert sand, mandarins, the intricate and delicately designed ceramics, and I tasted everything. And the best part was I got to experience all of this with some pretty incredible people. I can share the story of my painful camel ride to the Sahara desert, my wariness trying food that poisoned several of my friends who visited Morocco last year, the long long long (×7 hours) bus rides, our ridiculous trip organizers, the windy and twisting market streets of Fez, and the cold Sahara Desert night, but only the people in the tour company will truly understand the words I have written on this page and the feelings I have expressed.
Together we were able to experience an authentic and unforgettable trip. Being a foreigner with a tour company, I felt we got the most authentic experience we possibly could have had. We avoided touristy areas like Marrakesh, Casablanca, and Tangier. Instead we saw real Moroccan people living their everyday life and the extreme class differences within the community -- from Berbers selling goods to artisans making their craft to the richest of the rich strolling around in the (can't remember the name) neighborhood to the sweat of the Moroccan men balancing heavy items on their head. In addition, we were fortunate enough to see all the beauty Morocco has to offer, from the beautiful geometric architecture to the blue and white fishing town in Asilah to the breathtaking panoramic view of Fez. Morocco is truly unique in its own way.
As my long weekend comes to a close, I just want to thank you Morocco for sharing your culture, language, warmth, beauty, and hospitality with me. I am so appreciative of it all, and you will be seeing me again someday.
Peace&love,
Charina