Morocco-Second Port

Day 1: 

We docked in the morning in Casablanca Morocco and wow was it different. This port is an industrial port because they are renovating there other main port. We have to walk far and then take a shuttle so it was more difficult to get on and off the ship. Me and my friends left that morning and walked around in some markets and things alike. It is a different scene from America and even Europe. I know a lot of people were overwhelmed and maybe had some cultural shock but I was overall doing good. I enjoyed walking through the streets of a place that is very different from my own. I definitely felt a little on edge but I was with a group so it was okay. I thank my parents for the comfortably I felt because they gave me the chance to travel so much prior in my life. We went to the famous Rick’s Cafe from the movie Casablanca—only watched this the night before! But it was super delicious and then we wandered to Hassan ll Masque which was breathtaking. I did not have to go inside but the outside was amazing. I then walked back by myself while my friends toured the inside and I stopped at….a shopping mall! I just wanted some super lightweight shirts so that’s what I got! Then I went back to the boat, walked super fast and dropped things off in my room and made it to my friend program which was a dinner with the locals. It was delicious and so fun talking and meeting new SASers- that’s the term used for SAS people. Then I got back and went to sleep.

Day 2: 

I had a field class today for my Current Global Issues: Human Trafficking class. We went to a local university and met with teachers and students. We got to talk to and learn about some of the students there! We got to eat breakfast then listened to a short presentation about human trafficking and had a little discussion about it. Then we toured the school and sat to wait for lunch. We had lunch then a conference call with someone who works for an organization that deals with human trafficking. It would have been so interesting if only we could hear them. The technology was not working great and the woman speaking was super static sounding. After that we went to the old red light district of Casablanca and we had a police escort. Which sounds crazy but it is just for extra caution because it is a more unsafe part of the city— so yeah I found out that my friends and I already walked through it the day prior. We were fine! Then we got back to the shop and I had dinner with a girl I met in the field program and we are so similar. We have the same birthday! I packed for my overnight trip and went to sleep. I do wish I gained more insight about human trafficking that day but it was still a great day.

Day 3: 

Waking up early is so hard. But I guess I was excited as I was about to ride camels in the afternoon and stay at a nomad camp. So that’s what I was doing that day. We hopped on a bus and drove 3 hours to Marrakesh. We then transferred to SUV’s to drive to the desert. We sadly did not go all the way to the Sahara desert but sort of an off brand desert. We then got on camels! But before that we all got our heads wrapped! I was pretty nervous sitting on the camel before it stood up but once we started moving, I loved every minute of it. We then did like a loop and got dropped off in our nomad camp. It was very nice and boujee and had a pool! So that’s where I went once I put stuff in my room—and I had a roommate named Lauryn and she was so nice! We had dinner all together that night then a fire show!

Day 4: 

We left the desert that morning and got lunch and then checked in to our hotel. It was a run down resort kind of. There were two really big pools and some slides that were so fun! Definitely not up to the safe code… so I went on them! And after got changed and ready for dinner that was outside at a gorgeous hotel.

After we went back  and played some cards then out walks a person I know. A whole other group of SASers on a field program came to this hotel and some of my friends were in it! So it was good to see them and I saw them at breakfast the next morning for a little longer.

Day 5: 

We went to a palace and an old schoolhouse which was so magnificent because so many of these buildings have very detailed tiles and carved out walls. And this place was no exception. After we had lunch in the Medina of Marrakesh and after had 30 minutes to shop in it. That was not enough time for me so my friend and I stayed and shopped then got a taxi back to our hotel which was very easy. Then I got to swim and go down the slides again! And went to Burger King in a mall for dinner. Then a big group of us went to a bar and that was super fun just getting to know more people on the trip better.

Day 5: 

We got up and on the ride with all our stuff and visited Majorelle Gardens which was magical. There is a family on this field program with two little girls that I babysit every once in a while and I’m so glad I got connected with them! They remind me so much of two boys I babysit at home named Gio and Skye because of their age and personality and I kiss them so much as I miss everyone. We then ate lunch again and it was good…..don’t get me wrong the food here is delicious but we have ate the same meal or variation of it for the past 6 meals. It is known in Morocco as tagine with a salad and then mint tea and cookies or fruit for desert. Now it is time to head back to Casablanca and the ship! My home for the next 4 months. And let’s just say it is feeling like that as I am excited to get back and eat the ship food and sleep in my bed. 

Overall the trip was amazing but I am jealous of the people who went further into the desert and visited little villages and rode in the sand dunes. But that is okay, because now I have to go to Egypt to ride camels in the desert….with my parents!