Trip Spotlight: Morocco
I’ve always been an adventurous person, but I discovered my true passion for travel when I studied abroad. In the not-quite two years since I began my journeys overseas, I’ve traveled to 18 new countries and experienced countless cities and cultures. Recently, I decided to venture out of my comfort zone and try something new, even for me. I’d seen much of Europe, and was craving something that challenged me in a new way. I decided to go to Marrakech, Morocco, a city and country in Northern Africa. And I am so grateful I took the leap.
Needless to say, Morocco turned out to be one of my favorite trips I have ever gone on. We started the weekend with an extensive tour of the markets, or souks. Handmade rugs, hand-sewn shoes, wood pieces, lamps, and pashminas are only some of the many goods available for sale. Vendors are extremely proud of their craft, and bartering for good prices is a national sport. I bought several pairs of cotton pants; you can see the purple ones in my photo below (they remind me of Aladdin!). We got to visit a huge rug shop, where all of the blankets and rugs are hand weaved. Employees walk around in socks so they can step on the rugs without dirtying them! I didn’t buy one (as much as I wanted to) but they will package rugs in a compact tarp for those who would like to ship or carry one home.
All smiles in the mountains (feat. a camel rope)
Another cultural staple in Morocco, besides the extensive souks, is mint tea. It is served almost everywhere as a sign of hospitality and generosity, and is thought to aid digestion. We had mint tea at the rug shop, after dinner, at the Berber house, after our Hammam baths, during ATVing, at the herbalist, and more. It’s essentially a green tea base with added mint and (depending on who makes it) a lot of sugar. I’d say it definitely inspired me to become more of a tea drinker.
Trip Highlights/Can’t-Miss Activities:
Tour of the souks/the Medina
Tea with a Berber family
Camel ride
Hike to waterfall in the Ourika Valley
Hammam Bath
Herbalist
Tagine
Friday consisted of tea with a Berber family, which are the native people of Morocco. We then stopped for a quick camel ride and hiked in the Ourika Valley to beautiful waterfalls before having an outdoor lunch. On Saturday morning, we had optional activities: an ATV ride, a Hammam Bath, or both. Needing a good morning of pampering, I chose the Hammam bath.
Just a few of the many gorgeous goods one can find when wandering around the souks
A Hammam bath isn’t exactly your typical spa day. It is a traditional Turkish bath, and for locals, a weekly ritual for relaxation and cleansing. Men and women are separated and go to different facilities; it is their time to unwind and be free of the pressures of everyday life.
When we arrived at the spa, employees handed us baskets and plastic shoes. We disrobed, leaving on nothing but our underwear and the sandals. We were brought into a tiled bath area, where the women literally dumped buckets of hot water over our heads and motioned us into an interior sauna; there’s something about collectively having no idea what’s going on that makes being naked in front of other people seem like totally no big deal. Moroccans do it all the time without a second thought.
Then, once we were all steamed up, they pulled us out one by one and lathered us up from head to toe with black soap. It’s an exfoliant, and my attendant seemed overjoyed to show me the skin peeling off as she scrubbed me. Then, they rinsed us off again and sent us back in the sauna. A little while later, we washed our hair, and they wrapped us in fluffy robes. We got to sit and relax (with mint tea!) as we re-aclimated to normal temperatures, before they guided us to the massage tables. They rubbed argan oil all over, massaging it into my hair… it was truly the most relaxing experience I’ve ever had. I left the oil on overnight to maximize its effects and had the smoothest skin for days afterwards.
Another unique experience was the trip to the state-run herbalist where they make a variety of natural remedies and products: everything from hair care and lip balm to saffron and digestion tea is sold here. I stocked up on argan oil (great for stocking stuffers). Not only was it super affordable, but it was also really nice to be able to tell my family members their Moroccan oil came straight from Morocco.
It was so exciting to experience a weekend in the beautiful city of Marrakech. Our days were filled with nature and relaxation, and our nights were spent exploring the city center and wandering around the souks. The brightly-lit city square was alive with fresh juice stands, carts stacked with elaborate cookies, and open-air barbecue restaurants. The sound of street musicians and the beating of drums echoed on the pavement, and the air was cool but never cold.
I’ll be the first to admit that this trip isn’t for everyone. A close-minded person just seeking some good photo ops might struggle with the cultural differences. But if you have an insatiable craving for adventure, trying new things, and getting out of your comfort zone, you’ll thrive at the chance to experience Africa. Live fearlessly. Say yes to new opportunities. An open mind and a yearning heart can change your life forever.
Before You Go:
I highly recommend the Bus2alps Morocco trip. For a culture so different than Europe or the US, It pays to have someone figuring out all the logistics for you. The link to the trip can be found here and you can save an extra 5% off with my discount code MURRAY. Almost every meal and activity is included and it is so worth every penny! Even getting a trusty ride from the airport to the hostel can be tough on your own (Google Maps and Uber are not gonna help you navigate the winding alleys of the Medina). The company takes care of all the grunt work and you just get to enjoy a stress-free weekend. I promise you won’t regret it!
If you do book with Bus2alps and can land early in the day on Thursday, I recommend it! You will have the chance to go on an extensive tour of the markets with a great guide and talk to craftsmen and vendors about their products. Say hi to Ali for me!
If you won’t be able to land in Marrakech before dinner on Thursday, I recommend packing a large pashmina/scarf from your home city for the hike and camel ride on Friday! The guides will help you tie them for photos, and it’s a lot easier than borrowing if you have your own.
If for some reason you can’t book with Bus2alps, the best hostel to stay at is Equity Point Marrakech. The hostel will be able to hook you up with reliable tours and activities to make the most of your time.
If you get the chance to visit this amazing city, I wish you nothing but the best experience. And if you have any questions relating to this trip or any other place, I am always available! Feel free to find me on Instagram or Facebook or leave a comment below :) Happy traveling!