Morocco – Half a Lifetime Ago
What's older than the time-worn saffron sands of the sun-scorched Sahara desert? Me, apparently.
As I prepare to depart for my next adventure hitting the highlights of Morocco, I paused to reflect on my first trip to the "place the sun sets". I blew of the layer of dust covering a photo album full of printed glossy 4x6s (and film!) and travelled back in time to my first trip abroad. It was an immersive Spanish language learning trip with my high school which included a ferry ride across the Strait of Gibraltar for a brief visit to Tangier.
Look at little 15-year-old Ashley out exploring the medina and making friends in the spice shop way back in 2000. That was almost 20 years ago. THAT WAS MORE THAN HALF MY LIFETIME AGO!
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Charming snakes in the Tangier medina[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_2790" align="alignnone" width="1080"]
Making new friends at a spice shop in Tangier[/caption]
Our brief time in Tangier included a tour of the medina, a pottery making demonstration, a trip to the spice shop, a history and demo of traditional rug making, and a dinner at a local restaurant complete with belly dancers.
I wasn't with my family, but I certainly wasn't alone. My long-time friend Stephen was the only other grade 10 student to sign up for the trip.
Stephen, I couldn't find a photo of you in Morocco (it seems we took turns taking photos for each other). So I made one!
[caption id="attachment_2792" align="alignnone" width="1174"]
This is probably why Stephen doesn't talk to me anymore...[/caption]
It was high school, so there were memorable shennanigans of course, like accidentally getting drunk on sangria in Seville because we didn't know it was alcoholic or pushing our unsuspecting peers into hotel pools.
And there was the requisite high school drama. Despite his bulky argyle sweater pictured, all the ladies wanted a piece of Stephen. I thought riots would ensue! I was of no help to the poor besotted chicas or the swarmed Stephen. I was too busy spreading mischief and meddling in the romantic drama. I don't know why he wouldn't want to talk to me anymore...
But my strongest memories of the trip are the friendly, lively and (at times) pushy Moroccan people. We were warmly greeted at every shop and restaurant, immediately sharing laughter and smiles.
Not only was this my first trip abroad without my family, it was also my first time riding a camel which we did just outside the city. It was not my first time dressing like an idiot and I fear, not my last. Although, I'm not sure if the bandana or my haircut was worse at the time.
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My first camel ride was a short (bouncy) jaunt outside the small town of Tetouan[/caption]
Despite the educational goal of the trip, I can't say that my Spanish developed much. What I did develop was a strong sense of adventure and a need to see the world. I'm grateful that my wanderlust started at a young age and I've been able to travel the world with the greatest friends and family anyone could ever ask for.
So cheers to adventure, to Morocco and to friends old and new! And here's a nice photo of Stephen and I so maybe he'll forgive the camel photo.
[caption id="attachment_2791" align="alignnone" width="1189"]
The hair. The hair is worse than the bandana.[/caption]
Charming snakes in the Tangier medina[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_2790" align="alignnone" width="1080"] Making new friends at a spice shop in Tangier[/caption]
Our brief time in Tangier included a tour of the medina, a pottery making demonstration, a trip to the spice shop, a history and demo of traditional rug making, and a dinner at a local restaurant complete with belly dancers.
I wasn't with my family, but I certainly wasn't alone. My long-time friend Stephen was the only other grade 10 student to sign up for the trip.
Stephen, I couldn't find a photo of you in Morocco (it seems we took turns taking photos for each other). So I made one!
[caption id="attachment_2792" align="alignnone" width="1174"] This is probably why Stephen doesn't talk to me anymore...[/caption]
It was high school, so there were memorable shennanigans of course, like accidentally getting drunk on sangria in Seville because we didn't know it was alcoholic or pushing our unsuspecting peers into hotel pools.
And there was the requisite high school drama. Despite his bulky argyle sweater pictured, all the ladies wanted a piece of Stephen. I thought riots would ensue! I was of no help to the poor besotted chicas or the swarmed Stephen. I was too busy spreading mischief and meddling in the romantic drama. I don't know why he wouldn't want to talk to me anymore...
But my strongest memories of the trip are the friendly, lively and (at times) pushy Moroccan people. We were warmly greeted at every shop and restaurant, immediately sharing laughter and smiles.
Not only was this my first trip abroad without my family, it was also my first time riding a camel which we did just outside the city. It was not my first time dressing like an idiot and I fear, not my last. Although, I'm not sure if the bandana or my haircut was worse at the time.
[caption id="attachment_2789" align="alignnone" width="1025"] My first camel ride was a short (bouncy) jaunt outside the small town of Tetouan[/caption]
Despite the educational goal of the trip, I can't say that my Spanish developed much. What I did develop was a strong sense of adventure and a need to see the world. I'm grateful that my wanderlust started at a young age and I've been able to travel the world with the greatest friends and family anyone could ever ask for.
So cheers to adventure, to Morocco and to friends old and new! And here's a nice photo of Stephen and I so maybe he'll forgive the camel photo.
[caption id="attachment_2791" align="alignnone" width="1189"] The hair. The hair is worse than the bandana.[/caption]
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