Last day in Morocco. Saying good bye

After painting the town red with my friend last night, I woke up tried and hungry. She promised that she will show me how the Moroccans eat thier breakfast. I would have to meet up with her at the restaurant. Which finding the place was my next task.

A Moroccan breakfast photo courtesy of Hugo Morel

Of course, I got lost. Had to ask a few locals to find the restaurant. When I got there, my friend already ordered and told the waiters hold off on servicing. The moment I sat down, a waiter was already there with my plate.

As seen in the picture above, Moroccans love to eat bread in the morning. My plate had 6 different types of bread with a pancake at the end. The sauces were honey, butter and a peanut butter made with Moroccan argan oil. It was amazing, every bite tasted with a hit of familiarity and a dash of foreign flavors.

A cat and the goat ramming into the wall photo courtesy of Hugo Morel

After eating our breakfast, my friend wanted to show me her neighborhood. We went around in a taxi and got the local price. Trust me, it’s always good to have a local friend. Paid for a third of the normal price.

As we pulled up to her childhood surroundings, we passed by one of the royal family’s vacation homes. I wanted to take a photo but, she suggested not to. I could be mistaken as a journalist. That could cause problems for the both of us.

The view Tangier’s coastline photo courtesy of Hugo Morel

As the taxi was going around, we eventually ended up on a hill. From what my friend translated to me, the taxi driver suggested I see the view from this hill. We got out and I was stunned. I was reminded that this was not France. A random goat showed up to see the view with us. It’s hard to see goats out in the open in Western countries, especially in metropolitan areas. The goat kept running into the wall. Not sure what enjoyment that creature getting from self harm.

Local boat docking station photo courtesy of Hugo Morel

The view was out of this world, it felt like California. As if, I was looking at the hills just outside of San Francisco. It gave me a warm feeling in my heart. It was so nostalgic.

The Atlantic ocean meets the mediterranean sea photo courtesy of Hugo Morel

After about half an hour passed, it was time for me to head for the airport. We dropped off my friend at her parents’ home. I offered to pay because she got the taxi driver to pay the local price. Which was about 7 USA dollars all together.

Eventually, I made it to the Tangier airport. My adventures in this North African country was ending. Learned a lot here and made some awesome friends. Definitely a country I will have to visit again. Good bye Morocco, until we meet again.

Stay safe everyone and remember to wash your hands!

Check out our eBook “How to Travel for Dirt Cheap” by Hugo Morel for ways to make your dreams of traveling come true without breaking the bank. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07M848M47?ref_=pe_3052080_276849420&fbclid=IwAR0_mRF-eE9tODIshljVr7CQ8h6vKT6hHn_8gZfJ94DySY1ylPO2Itu2Qe

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June 3, 2020 15

Exploring Tangier, Morocco At Night

Once the sunset passed, I was about go to sleep and write a little more on this blog. I was still trying to get used to the local time zone. Of course, that wasn’t what the course of events’ planned for me. I got a message on whatsapp, it was my local friend. She let me know that she was done with work and could show me around Tangier. I was a little suspicious of about meeting someone at night for the first time. However, she suggested we met up in a public location and she was a recommendation from another trusted friend. So, I agreed to meet up.

Outside of where I was staying in tangier photo courtesy of Hugo Morel

Tangier at night has a different feel to it. It feels like a party town. This city is like Morocco’s Miami. Beaches and parties, that is what most locals and tourist do. Always a big event happening here. With the atlantic ocean near by, it not hard to confuse this with any city in the americas.

Tangier’s city center at night photo courtesy of Hugo Morel

My friend and I started in the city’s center. We walked around and I wanted to know what locals do for fun. She suggested we go and rent a pool table. Me, not knowing a thing about the game of pool I agreed. From what she told, Moroccans love playing pool. They have intense competitions held monthly in Tangier. Although my friend didn’t get far in the competitions, she was extremely good. Learned how to play pool that night. Proud of myself for not poking a hole in the table. Also, if we would had betted money, I would had lost an arm and a leg.

French food photo courtesy of Hugo Morel

After playing pool for a few hours, we decided to go eat somewhere. I wanted some local food; however, all the local restaurants were far from our location. By the time we would get there, the restaurant would be closed. In the end, we ended up eating at a French Moroccan restaurant. Where they serve French food with a small Moroccan taste. It was the best we could do at finding a local cuisine. She did warned me it was fancy. Despite of that, the bill was no more than 40 dollars. Which we split even. I wasn’t mad because 20 dollars in New York City gets you a burger with fries or 4 tacos with a soda.

Fruit Dessert photo courtesy of Hugo Morel

The food was awesome, didn’t expect it to be so good. With french hip hop playing in the background, she told me the local life. Life is not that great for locals. She works at a tour agency translating French and Arabic for English speaking tourists. She has to sell her own custom made t-shirts to tourists to help her little brother. For the average Moroccan, she still lives extremely well. Her own apartment and studying in school, she is a hustler. To be honest, I was expecting her to try to sell me some shirts or items. To my surprise, nothing of that sorts occurred. Glad to meet and see the entrepreneurial spirt of the Moroccan people.

Stay safe everyone and remember to wash your hands!

For videos about cultures of the world and to see our travels, subscribe to our youtube channel!

For my underwater photos, I use the gopro hero 7 white.

May 27, 2020 11

Hello…. Morocco you are kind of French

Morocco, a country I always wanted to visit. A place with lots of history and culture. I couldn’t wait to explore this French and Arabic speaking country. I heard there were parts of Morocco that had tons of green grass. I wanted to see that in person. I’m sure like most people, when they think about North Africa sand, and endless deserts comes to mind.

Marrakesh airport photo courtesy of Hugo Morel

I arrived at the Marrakesh airport. I was somewhat in a hurry because my accommodation was in Casablanca. Didn’t really get to explore Marrakesh like most tourists. Plus, I wanted to go across country in a short time. Only had a few days, no time to explore like usual. Which means, I will most likely visit morocco again!

Outside of the Marrakesh train station photo courtesy of Hugo Morel

I just wandered around the city’s train station. Just from going around, you noticed the difference between Egypt and Morocco. Egypt felt like an African country mixed with the Middle East. Morocco is very different. In Egypt, the Arab culture is a lot more integrated in the culture and buildings. People were more conservative. However, Morocco is different. There were a lot of women without hijabs here. In Egypt, they had this too. But, in Egypt those without hijabs were mainly Christians or women from a high class family.

Sitting at the table waiting for my ice cream photo courtesy of Hugo Morel

Morocco felt more like I was in a tropical part of Paris. Maybe it was the French street signs that threw me off. You can even see the roads having a European look. It’s a reminder that Morocco was once a French colony. Egypt was not like this. The roads in Egypt, were more middle eastern looking. Although Morocco is a Muslim majority country, it’s very liberal compared to most countries in the Arab world. Also, there is a movement going on in North Africa to get rid of being called Arab. Some even letting go of the Muslim faith. Morocco is actually at the center of that movement. However, that’s a story for another post.

classic Marrakesh art photo courtesy of Hugo Morel

Found an awesome restaurant to eat chocolate ice cream. From what the waiter told me, the chocolate was French style. The dessert had such an interesting taste. It wasn’t overly sugared like American or Swizz chocolate. You can taste the cocoa more than the sugar. Never had chocolate like this. It remind me of Mexican hot chocolate without the spicy kick. Next time when I’m in France, I will make sure to snack on their chocolate.

My chocolate ice cream photo courtesy of Hugo Morel

After eating, I head back into the train station. Going to get on my train with any problems or issues. Of course, Murphy’s law had played into this. Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong. Let’s just say, nothing went my way. Yet, I still had a great time. My time in Morocco was exciting and a wake up call to be more prepared for the unexpected. Regardless, I still love this country. I truly suggest you all to visit. It will change your mind about North Africa.

Much love and safe travels! Please keep clean everyone!! Wash your hands!!

For videos about cultures of the world and to see our travels, subscribe to our youtube channel!

For my underwater photos, I use the gopro hero 7 white.