Morocco – fun facts part 4

1. After 10 days in Morocco, we have NOT seen (a) any roadkill and (b) any supermarket.

2. After 10 days in Morocco we have seen (a) lots of garbage everywhere and (b) an agricultural paradise with orange orchard, olive trees, millions of olive trees, bananas, cork oak trees, agaves, fields for grain / currently harvested, garbanzo beans, etc. the soil has different shades from Sandy beige, to red, to dark brown. We’ve seen many sheep, goats, chickens, donkeys and mules; also many stray dogs and cats. But still, no roadkill. We haven’t seen any wasps or mosquitos, only bees, who try to reclaim their honey from the breakfast table.

3. After 10 days in Morocco, it rained!

4. Driving around the north of Morocco for 10 days reminds us of California. A lot!

5. 10 days ago we were not prepared of how friendly the people are, how good the food tastes and how amazing their craft skills are!

6. After 10 days in Morocco we learned that the restaurant portions are always generous because it would be sign of stinginess if you get served “just enough”. If food is left, it will never be thrown away. Restaurant workers, hungry people, animals, everybody else will get fed. So it’s ok to leave food you cannot eat!

7. Driving around for 10 days through many cities, towns, and villages, the pretties, nicest, most colorful, most modern buildings everywhere are the schools!

8. Morocco’s favorite sport is soccer. Every little village has a soccer field, every child on the street kicks balls, soccer games on the beaches everywhere. Morocco also has a professional women soccer national team.

6 Things to Bring for Traveling in Morocco

Along the usual travel essentials that you need anywhere in the world, this list is about specifics to Morocco.

1. Don’t let geography and travel postcards fool you: Morocco can be very cold! For example in Chefchaouen we got rain and cold weather. Our tour guide told us that it even snows in the winter! Despite that, the houses don’t have a furnace or an air condition. Hotels may vary of course. So bring a warm jacket and a rain coat!

2. Have toilet paper with you every time you need to go. Public bathrooms don’t even have a toilet roll holder; the whole concept is unknown.

3. Closed toe shoes are a must especially in the Souks! Lots of stray dogs and cats, many donkeys, puddles of unknown fluids and dirt. You get it, right?

4. Your smelling will be challenged. Not only body odor in crowded areas are overwhelming, visiting the tanneries will make you gag! A trick would be to have a piece of cloth (or cotton ball or tissue paper) wrapped around your index finger and secured with a rubber band. Then spray it with a scent (aesthetic oil or perfume) and hold it under your nose when needed. A perfect way to use those perfume samples from the pharmacies or drugstores.

5. For women: Bring clothes that at least cover your knees and your elbows; no need the cover your hair! For men: long pants

6. Be prepared for steps and stairs everywhere. A few steps up followed by a few steps down without reason, steps in unexpected areas, be prepared! Riads usually don’t have elevators! Bring shoes that are easy to walk with, but also think about your luggage! A big suitcase with bad wheels is a nightmare to roll / lift / schlepp through the medians and up to the third floor of your charming Riad! Better to have a small suitcase with good wheels + a backpack