Morocco!

This past weekend my school group ventured to Morocco. The journey was a life-changing experience and something I wish everyone had the opportunity to do. Some many aspects of the trip triggered a different emotion and I learned so much from the trip. The dynamic of the life, economy, and people is so different from that of Spain. The streets are so busy with people all the time selling things or rushing off somewhere and even though the neighborhoods are built similar to Sevilla, buildings close together with narrow streets, the two places could not be more different. The streets were not kept clean and there were signs of poverty everywhere. All sorts of weird smells came from the streets and vendors were way more direct and pushy than I was comfortable with. All of these things were part of the culture and I know they are considered normal there. I wanted to keep an open mind to the different aspects of the culture and make sure I did not come off as ignorant to the different things that other cultures, especially one like the Moroccan culture, had to offer. The experience made me realize even more how lucky I am to have all the opportunities that I do for a great life but also that there is almost another world out there living so differently than what I am used to.

We visited Chefchaouen, Tetuan, and Tangier. Chefchaouen was by far my favorite city with its pretty architecture and painted blue walls to keep the bugs away. The buildings were close together and streets narrow like Sevilla, most likely for shade and there were donkeys in the street used for transportation. Tetuan was busy and bustling with vendors and once we went inside the gates of the “old city” things became very different and it was as if we were in another world. We also viewed the market and the alcazar in the medina of the city and the old city within the walls was so different from modern life outside the walls. Tangier was fun and we got to see an old fashioned show with horses and men dressed in traditional Moroccan wear along with a belly dancer and a man who walked on glass.

Overall, the tip cannot be described in just a few words. It was such a cultural experience that made me realize so much and expand my outlook on the rest of the world. I appreciate the opportunity to be able to visit there and am thankful for all the opportunities I have here and at home.