Author: Grace in the World

My Iceland Stopover In Real Life

I had an image of the island in my mind. I’d heard about the remote natural wonders which friends explored via camper van. I pictured wilderness, expansive and pristine, dotted with waterfalls and framed by glacial peaks. As our plane began its descent through a thick blanket of clouds, sprawls of houses began to appear underneath. This I hadn’t pictured. Roads connect them, power plants stand out in the spaces in between. The spaces in between. 

I knew a stopover would be limiting. This wasn’t the one-week #vanlife tour of my dreams. I’d treat it as a preview or a scouting trip for future roaming… I didn’t realize how much my time in the small cities would impact me. Iceland limited– by budget and by time- took a second to make sense to me.

First, my plan:

Stop one: 9am arrival at KEF airport, 2 hours to get through immigration and to hostel via bus (11am eta),  shop for groceries at BONUS supermarket and make lunch in an hour… bus into the city (30 mins) for 1pm walking tour followed by a couple of hours at a hot springs then food and live music at Hlemmur Square Hostel (music Wednesday nights) or KEX downtown, head back after dinner to get a good nights rest before the 5:30 AM Fly Bus ($33 book ahead) to the airport the following morning.

…my reality:

Bus 55 to Fjörður in Hafnarfjörður (one hour journey, this is the transfer point to get into Reykjavik) runs every hour except at the time you’ll get through security. 90-minute wait and an $8 USD coffee so strong you can hardly stomach it but don’t panic you can pay onboard with a credit card approx. cost $15 USD… missed the walking tour/starving… walked to the grocery store to buy lunch supplies: pasta with red sauce and tuna (cheap protein) –  took two hours to figure out the “Straeto” bus app ($4 rides, connect to the spotty WiFi onboard and stall the bus driver while you download a timed ticket complete with selfie).

Sight of the day: the famous Church.

It’s cool but took literally five minutes. With time left and a craving for fresh air, I decide to walk to the Nauthólsvík geothermal beach. The last bus stop drops me next to another industrial-looking part of town where there’s a path along the water so I follow it for about one mile to find the “beach” which is an old military compound turned kiddie pool with what does look like an interesting hot tub ring in the center but I lose my desire for swimming (mostly due to the overflow of children). After a lot of walking it feels like time to head back to Vibrant hostel by following the highway until I find bus 1.

[Back through Iceland] / Round two:

Plan…

Stop two: Late night arrival. Sleep! Wake up early and get on a bus to the base of volcano “mount Esja” hike for a couple of hours then bus to Reykjavik, eat fish and chips for lunch, pick up left bags at the hostel and public bus back to the airport.

Reality:

The Flybus and midnight walk to Vibrant Hostel weren’t bad. It actually was dark but I stayed at the same place last time which made it easy to find my way. Sharing breakfast with strangers after oversleeping was comforting. Too late to hike (the bus there takes two hours and only leaves occasionally) …quick new local plan:

Hellisgerði elf park then a second breaky at a cool café before the local art museum opens at 11. Shorter walk than expected, no elf spottings or clear trail markings/not recommended.

Brikk cafe is lovely- I had a cinnamon roll and the lunch options look good (bread with deli spreads, soups, pastries, and coffee all for under $15. Stopped by the Hafnarfjördur History Museum en route which was semi-interesting (all about fishing) but the Hafnarborg Museum changes things.

Local photographers lend a different perspective. Suddenly I see the beauty which has been confusing yet surrounding. An artist is able to capture the reflection of an industrial factory in a mud puddle with such vivid detail that it becomes aesthetically pleasing. I’ve been looking at the place all wrong. I leave a changed traveler, suddenly appreciating all of the random bits of beauty persisting amongst humanity. The boulders sitting between houses and random piles of gravel fascinate me.

Walking through the outskirts of town amongst metal-clad houses and black basalt boulders, warehouses full of broken things and sparse bus stops here and there confuses me.

The landscape is cratered, carved and covered. Moss so fresh, so lush, that it appears blurry contrasts telltale signs of humanity: roads lined with lampposts, scrap metal, storage facilities… the culture is decidedly Scandinavian. People from an ocean away planted themselves here somewhat recently. Once unsettled, humans + technology have defied the weather and the dark and the isolation to benefit from a lucrative fishery and now tourists flock in to discover the rugged natural beauty. I couldn’t help but feel jerked emotionally by the stark impact that humanity makes against this remarkable landscape. It’s a landscape that fights back aggressively. Boulders surround family homes and most structures show immense signs of weathering. The technologies we develop are impressive and provide a quality of life which has come to feel secure to me, but the collision of man into raw Earth is so explicit on this island and I got to thinking…

Growing up in America then moving to Spain has been revealing things to me. When Traveling to ancient cities like Ronda in Andalucia and viewing a bridge built to appear as if it extends from the cliffside or up high in Pyrenees villages walking stone paths which have been followed by monks and holiday-makers for centuries… there’s a way of building in the thousands of small communities which dot the Iberian countryside using materials and shapes which reflect those specific landscapes. The assimilation, whether intentional or practical, of the people to the land on which they construct, is not lost on me. Then I walk up a hill just outside of my home city and see rows of concrete lining the valley below. This harsh contrast is suddenly jarring; the realization that I’m part of a nation which came into a landscape and forced itself on the beautiful and perfect land/air/water/beings…disheartening 

Conclusions

I’d return to Iceland again. But I’d spend more time (four full days minimum) and rent a car, travel with a buddy, steer clear of the city. 

If you do elect an Iceland stopover either treat it as a rest stop en route and lower scenic expectations/lean into hostel life OR stay a while and get out of the city. See what lies just beyond society. 

These experiences still need to sink in as I learn to understand and navigate my changing perspectives. 

Getting Around Town

Public transportation is FREE in Missoula. The Mountain Line (public bus) has a great app which will let you know how and when to get where you need to go. Udash is associated with the University and offers late night service from downtown to the corner of Arthur and Sussex Ave. Uber is also available in Missoula (a great way to get to and from MSO airport). 

Grace’s favorites in and around town

Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner

Grab a burrito from El Diablo (add blue cheese for a unique twist) or Taco Sano (I love their vegetarian tacos or breakfast burritos).

Tagliare Deli is located between El Diablo and Grizzly Grocery. Grab a sandwich from the deli and any small grocery needs from “Griz Grosh.”

Market on Front downtown by the river (and a parking garage- first hour free!) has great breakfast burritos, an upscale assortment of groceries, a salad/sandwich bar (try the hot hippie sandwich or a salad bar sampler) and full selection of espresso drinks, local beers by the bottle and a great selection of wines too. 

Five on Black and Masala offer Brazilian and Indian inspired build-your-own bowls. I love to take these to The Dram Shop where you can BYO food and choose from around 50 micro brews, wines by the glass or kombucha. 

The Good Food Store is like Missoula’s version of Whole Foods. They have organic and bulk foods, a salad bar, deli, pizza oven, wok bowls, smoothies/juice bar, coffee shop, kitchen store…everything! This is one of my favorite places to discover local products.

The Big Dipper has gained national fame and if you haven’t tried it before, a huckleberry cone or shake is a MUST. Sweet Peaks (semi-local from Whitefish, MT) is also delicious. 

Plonk Wine Bar has a gorgeous upstairs patio in the warmer months but I love going to this cozy spot for a cocktail (Love the GFC) or a glass of wine all year round. They have great dinner options which are seasonal and locally inspired. Their Thursday night jazz concerts add extra charm.

Finn & Porter has what I consider Missoula’s best happy hour. I highly recommend going for a drink on the deck (4-6 daily)! You can’t beat a $3 Blackfoot IPA while gazing at fly fishermen on the Clark Fork river. A truly fantastic Missoula experience. They have great dinner too!

Biga Pizza has a seasonal butternut squash pizza which is THE BEST IN THE WORLD. Beats NYC, Sicily, Florence, everything in my opinion! The also have a great portobello burger and basil lemonade in the summer months. I adore the homey vibes and authentic tastes offered here. To me it’s a must. One of my favorite restaurants in Missoula. The Bridge is a good option if you prefer to order in. 

Bakeries are plentiful in Missoula. 

Bernice’s is my personal favorite. Not a birthday goes by without without a Bernice’s cake in our family. Hint: you can also try by the slice during happy hour 4-6 get a free espresso drink with each piece. Le Petite (best baguettes and scones) and The Break (try the pie) are also good.

Brunch

Scotty’s Table (Weekends), Caffe Dolce (Sundays) and The Catalyst (every day) are my go to spots for brunch. Scotty’s and Dolce also offer delicious dinner. Really you can’t go wrong with any of these in my opinion. At Scotty’s I can’t skip the shakshuka. Dolce has very good toast with salmon, minestrone soup, homemade pasta… elegant Italian-inspired comfort. The Catalyst’s huevos rancheros have mole sauce and I can’t help but ordering a personal side of (cheddar) cheesy potato casserole each and every time. The Trough is also very good.

To Drink

Coffee & Tea

If you’d like to sit and sip a tea in house head to Lake Missoula Tea Co. They have a tea bar with an extensive menu and knowledgeable baristas to help you find something unique then you can take it home (loose leaf) to enjoy again and again. 

Please try “Evening in Missoula” by Montana Tea and Spice Trading. Grab a bag from Butterfly Herbs downtown (or Rockin Rudy’s/ The Good Food Store). 

Drum coffee has two locations- one on South Ave (close to the apartment) and another off of Broadway (en route to the Blackfoot river). Artisan coffee- the best baristas in town in my opinion. 

Black Coffee is a great place for drip. They sell beans by the bag and don’t shy away from creative roasts. Try a fancy toast with local honey or avocado and coconut oil… jam and brie.. Always a treat.

Other honorable mentions to Hunter Bay Coffee Roasters, Zootown Brew, Florence Coffee Company and Liquid Planet. 

Adult Beverages

Kettlehouse “South” has an old-school Missoula vibe. It’s located on Myrtle Street. Their “North” location is built in a very cool building near the train tracks and offers shuffleboard and a constant rotation of new and exciting craft beers. Kettlehouse Amphitheater is located in Bonner (about 10 mins outside of town) along the Blackfoot river. If you can score tickets to a show you won’t be disappointed by the views or the brews! Coldsmoke is a must try beer. 

Draught Works is a popular spot – always filled with a good crowd and thanks to a spacious deck outdoor seating is somewhat easy to come by.

Imagine Nation, in my opinion, makes the best beer in town. They have a riverside deck out back and you can order delicious Mexican food from Tia’s across the street (free delivery). 

Big Sky Brewery hosts outdoor concerts in the summer. Arrive early to have a food truck picnic before the show. 

Western Cider is for cider likers (I’m not incredibly into it). I like the riverside location and hipster vibes here… 

Ten Spoon Winery is located in the rattlesnake valley. It’s casual and they often have live music. I enjoy renting the lawn for private events. There are also numerous hiking trails in the area so a hike (Try Sawmill Gulch for an easy stroll) then wine makes for an ideal afternoon. 

Montgomery Distillery is a cool local cocktail spot and you can buy a bottle of local liquor to take a bit of Missoula home. 

The Top Hat hosts live music almost every weekend. It’s my #1 nightlife spot. 

The Rhino has 50 beers on tap. Great Caesar/Bloody Mary. Pool tables here.

Charlie B’s is full of characters and has The Dinosaur Cafe – a cajun spot with a cult following- in the back.

Note: children are allowed in Montana breweries under adult supervision until 9pm. Dogs, unfortunately, are not allowed inside or on patios. 

Hiking

The “M” is the most obvious choice for a hike with a city view. I usually take visitors up at least once. You get a great view of the University and the city. This is best at sunrise or sunset in fair weather. 

Waterworks hill (aka The Northside Hill) offers comparable Missoula views and is dog friendly. The main trailhead is located just off of Rattlesnake Drive (near Black Coffee and Rattlesnake Creek park – a nice place for a light walk/bike ride) another trail sits right off the Orange Street exit on I-90. 

Blue Mountain has many easy to intermediate trail options and a “folf” (frisbee golf) course. Lots of dogs on the main loop. I’m a regular. 

Sawmill Gulch is a great hike on a hot day (lots of shade) very level and lined with scenic creekside stop-offs.

Snowshoe or Cross-Country Ski in Pattee Canyon or The Rattlesnake in the winter. (see UM Rec Center or The Trailhead or Gull Ski for rentals)

The wildlife in Montana are, well, WILD. Please be respectful and give them their space. Don’t feed the deer. Bear spray is recommended in Glacier National Park. I often throw a bottle in my day pack just in case. If you see a bear, stop, don’t run, but walk slowly away keeping an eye on the animal as you go. If you encounter a Mountain lion make yourself bigger, louder, scare it off. Moose can also be quite aggressive. Making a little noise will usually keep the wildlife away. Be aware and enjoy sharing beautiful Montana forests with these amazing animals. 

Biking

Rentals available at Missoula Bicycle Works. There is a new bike path from Missoula into Lolo and the Bitterroot valley. Start on Russell and Mount then head South. Lolo Peak Brewing is a fun destination on the path. There are also paths along either side of the Clark Fork River downtown. Mountain biking trails can be found at Blue Mountain and in The Rattlesnake. I love to bike from the apartment through the University campus and across the walking bridge into Rattlesnake Park along the creek, perhaps stopping to dip my feet in the (ice) cool water. 

River Sports/Activities 

Fishing access is plentiful around Missoula. Rafts and waders can be found on the Blackfoot, Bitterroot and even right downtown in the Clark Fork Rivers. Rock Creek is a destination for fly fishing.

Check out Grizzly Hackle or Blackfoot River Outfitters for guides and gear. 

A fishing license can be picked up at most outdoor stores and even gas stations. Adults need a license for all types of fishing on state waters. 

Info: fwp.mt.gov/fish/license

http://fwp.mt.gov/fish/license/licenseProviders.html

Rafting options range from a leisurely float down the Blackfoot river to whitewater at Alberton Gorge. Guided trips available through Pangea and Lewis and Clark Trail Adventures. 

Swimming in rivers can be dangerous/deadly. Please be cautious of strong currents and take the necessary precautions and preparations. Children always need a life vest.

Other Sports

Public tennis courts are plentiful in Missoula. We recommend Bonner Park, Playfair Park, The University of Montana and Kiwanis Park.

Folf (disc/frisbee golf) at Blue Mountain or Snowbowl (in the warmer months).

Shuffleboard at The Rhino and Kettlehouse Northside (is this a sport?)

There are many yoga studios around town, Inner Harmony and Hot House are good options for drop-in classes.

Bowling at Westside Lanes. 

Shopping (local)

Rockin Rudy’s is the first place I send people for keepsakes/gifts. The vibes is very quirky and originally Missoulian. I can’t even tell you what you will find here… EVERYTHING! It is a fun but time-consuming shopping experience. Make this stop, you won’t regret it. 

The Green Light is eco-focused and carries Missoula/Montana themed products to take home and remember us by. 

The Trailhead is Missoula’s local version of REI. Grab all of your outdoor essentials and ask for local tips regarding whatever outdoor activities you’re looking to do. Super friendly people and excellent quality of merchandise here. 

The People’s Market happens alongside the Farmer’s Market downtown on Pine street every Saturday late Spring through early fall. Local products/crafts galore! 

Posh Chocolate, The Montana Scene and The Artist’s Shop for gifts.

Art Galleries

On the First Friday of every month galleries and cafes downtown (along Higgins Ave.) host free shows open to the public (often providing wine and appetizers) art and music abide and the streets are full even in the darkest days of winter. Events usually run 5-8pm or so. 

Radius Gallery and Dana Gallery are downtown. The Missoula Art Museum/MAM has free admission. The University of Montana has two small galleries: the MMAC/Montana Museum of Art and Culture and Gallery of Visual Arts on the first floor of the Social Sciences building. All of these are free and open to the public.  

For the kids

The Missoula Butterfly House and Insectarium showcases bugs in a friendly and enthusiastic environment. Kids can hold and learn about all kinds of cool insects. It’s memorable for all. 

A Carousel for Missoula & Dragon’s Hallow are located next to the Clark Fork river and Caras Park downtown. They are always crowded and (for the kids) it’s worth the hype. Walk by the viewpoint above Brennan’s Wave to see river boarding/surfing/kayaking while you’re in the area. During the summer check out food and music at Caras Park Out to Lunch on Wednesday afternoons and Out to Dinner on Thursday evenings. 

SpectrUM is a science museum featuring interactive and interesting experiments and facts for kids and curious adults. It is run by the University of Montana. 

Kids fishing at Silver’s Lagoon next to MOBASH skatepark and Currents indoor wave pool are fun. 

The Missoula Children’s Theater/MCT has a great reputation for shows- check one out if they’re on while you’re in town!

Sporting Events

U of M Griz Football, Basketball, Hockey etc. draw crowds. 

For tickets: griz tix

MOBASH skate park is located near The Missoula Osprey Stadium. This minor league baseball stadium is located along the banks of the Clark Fork River and osprey nests can be seen from the stands. 

The U of M golf course and Dornblaser field are located steps from our house. See the new women’s softball field or track and field, soccer and more here. Also a great place to go sledding and to cross-country ski during the winter months! (Pick up rentals from Campus Rec at U of M or Gull Ski or The Trailhead).

Go to a Movie

The Roxy is a retro indie option. Here you can sip microbrew beers while enjoying the film. Another fun theater option is the AMC dinner theater (new to Missoula) located in Southgate Mall. Blockbusters can be screened at AMC on Reserve Street. There are also movie screenings at the UC theater (also see Movies on the Oval free movies at U of M)

How to find upcoming Festivals/Concerts 

Top Venues: The Wilma, Kettlehouse Amphitheater, The Top Hat, The Adams Center and Big Sky Brewery

Find a full local events calendar at http://www.missoulaevents.net

{Basque name: Donostia -Castilian Spanish name San Sebastián}

This city has been on my radar for quite a few years and many friends have called it their favorite. Known for its award-winning food and beach vibes, I was actually taken aback by how small the city is (compared to what I had in mind). I walked everywhere- granted that meant an average of 7.5mi per day- and enjoyed my long weekend despite heavy rain every. single. day.

Northern Spain is known for rain and Basque Country is no exception! Most people wore cool matte, thigh-length rain jackets (added to my shopping list, these people know what they’re doing) and museums/attractions provided umbrella holders with a lock and key. I visited in late May. I heard it rains 350 days per year…

I traveled to D-SS with my grandparents. We arrived by train on Friday afternoon and after we dropped off our luggage it was lunchtime. Note: the train station and bus station are located right on top of each other and are walking distance (about 15 mins) to the city center which is convenient!

Cafe Botanika had a great menu del dia: three courses including a bowl of pumpkin soup, vegetarian tagine then carrot cake for 12euros. This veg spot has a cool garden + vibe and drew us back for coffees and sweets on day two as well. After lunch head across the bridge to check out the Tabakalera Culture Center for a trendy (free!) take on city culture and excellent 5th-floor views.

The beach had to be next…despite the wind and the rain. Walking along La Concha without a crowd save a few brave women swimming felt strange since I’ve seen only seen photos of crowds on sunny days.

I learned that the Zurriola surf (and city) beach might be more my style. The neighborhood near it also boasts regentrified hipster finds such as Sakona Coffee Roasters (combine the avocado + salmon toast and follow with a cortado). Mapa Verde vegetarian also came highly recommended but I didn’t have a chance to go this time.

So, FOOD. A city known for its culinary mastery, seafood takes the cake and sits well with slightly sparkling Txakolí or Verdejo (my pick) wine. Try squid, crab and hake anywhere on Calle 31 Agosto. Order from the blackboard, not from the counter.

The place the blew me away was actually further from the famed spots in the center. Chutney Gastrobar makes my top 10 global list. I will be back to D-SS because I must eat there again! These guys know what they are doing! They are friendly and adjust for vegetarians. The food is eclectic, intelligent and fairly priced. I felt both at home and in awe of every. single. dish.

Apart from a walking tour and tapas tour

(arranged through the tourist office), it was an extremely rainy morning walk up Mount Urgull that really sold D-SS to me.

The paths were essentially little creeks, stairs waterfalls, and walking through soggy caves and crevices was creepy and exciting. No one could be found even at the top and the views of the ocean, beaches and city were really cool. It was super windy! You can explore the ruins of a fortress and walk amongst castles and graveyards until you eventually find yourself standing at the base of a giant statue of Jesus watching over the city. Don’t miss it. Might be different with crowds…

Our five night trip through Morocco was packed. In hindsight, seven days would have been much more manageable (having a buffer day between long journeys) but here’s what we did, learned and have to share from our experience:

Rabat

The best flight options were into the capital, Rabat. After long days of travel, we took a taxi straight from the airport to the guesthouse (riad) where we were staying. Negotiating prices is a major thing, Google maps will get you very lost in the older parts of the cities (Medinas) which are full of tiny winding streets and dead ends. After some comical wrong door opening, we got help from a father and his daughter and arrived at the place we’d booked in advance (we decided to book the first two nights’ accommodation + one activity on Airbnb ahead of time and stay open for the rest).

Riad Marlinea (actually located in Rabat’s sister city of Salé) blew us away! The place was gorgeous, decadent.. the best place we stayed on our trip. Quite a good first impression.

Riads are sort of like bed and breakfasts, we were fed a variety of bread and juice and coffee in the morning then took off for our pre-booked cooking class (our first Airbnb Experience) after postponing a bit due to morning rain.

Cooking class

We met our cooking class ‘host’ near a tram stop (Rabat & Sale have a very nice tram) and stopped by small shops and a market to buy everything we needed to cook an extra large lunch. We stepped into a pastry shop which was swarming with bees, bought fresh cheese and spicy olives as well as produce from a small street market and went to our host’s house to cook.

I wrote down a few notes about the dishes we made (most of which are pictured above–though I forgot to photograph the Tagine):

Vegetarian Tagine: Onions, carrots, potato, bell peppers, zucchini + cilantro & parsley, mix turmeric + ginger + pepper w water, cover w oil, lid (This is cooked in a special clay pot though I think you could use a dutch oven)

Dish similar to a Spanish Pisto: Blacken peppers, smoke inside closed container…skin, fry w EVOO + garlic, diced tomatoes add turmeric, pepper, paprika, parsley + cilantro

BEST DISH EVER: Carrots OR Lima beans (take a bit of peel off so that they don’t explode) + fresh cilantro & (less) fresh parsley + fresh tomato sauce, pickled lemon* (keep a bit of lemon peel) + mucho EVOO & some water (soupy)…cook down and allow to cool

Everything was made stovetop except for the cheese pastries (the little triangles which we wrapped and are pictured above) these are similar to samosas and can be sweet or savory- filled with anything you like and baked until crispy!

*Pickled lemon: slice, add a lot of salt + lemon juice, seal jar leave for one month. This is the most interesting flavor! Can use for veggies and fish–my number one takeaway from the class!

We went straight from the class to take the train to Fes. Many people had advised us to take first class (and we would have, it’s not much more than second) but it was sold out so we settled for second class which was fine for the short three-hour trip.

Fes

Fes reminded me of Chiang Mai, Thailand for some reason… TOURIST SATURATION

We stayed in the Medina near the blue gate. This is a tourist hub and gave us proximity to taxis which was ideal given our short turnover.

Arriving at our hostel in Fes, we were given our first fresh mint tea and at 10pm we began planning our trip South to the Sahara Desert (the city of Merzouga) the next morning! Having booked this hostel based on reviewers noting the host’s helpful nature paid off and we were able to secure a ride the next morning at 8am.

Merzouga 

We paid 150 Euros for transport (6-8 hours taxi each way) + all-inclusive camping (glamping) for one night. This price was a bit higher than when some others had told us but given the time crunch, we took it and didn’t regret it at all! Amazing experience!

The first 8 hr drive was the worst part. The driver made tourist stops (to feed monkeys on the side of the road, at “his family’s” terrible restaurant)… and when we were suddenly told to get out on the side of the road at the outskirts of the desert we weren’t sure what to think! Another car dropped off two French ladies then the four of us went in a third car literally into the sand until we arrived at a hotel in the desert. We handed off our backpacks and climbed upon camels (I went first!) then began to walk towards the dunes.

Camels are funny, stubborn animals! We traveled in a long line and the young men who led us seemed to be enjoying what they were doing. I was reminded of my summer spent working at a tourist ranch/resort in Montana (specifically of the wranglers and guides there). When we go to the base of the highest dune around we got back on our own two feet and made the climb to the top before sunset (hiking up a mountain of sand is hard work!).

pro tip: sit on the sunny side of the dune (the shady side is VERY windy; we took too long to learn this)

The landscape of the desert is really unique and beautiful to me. On our way down we saw a beetle! Finding a little life on a huge pile of sand was pretty cool!

After sunset, we took the camels to our campsite where more tourists (maybe 20) were waiting. We had dinner (lentil soup, Tagine, and round bread) then gathered around a fire, played drums & danced. This was really nice.

Our “room” was a wooden structure covered in many layers of blankets. We had a lifted bed frame and again SO many blankets to sleep on/with which is nice (kept us warm) but in the middle of the night the winds picked up and sand was blowing everywhere! Our “door” was just a  single blanket draped over the opening to our room so we placed our bags on it to keep everything more airtight and were able to sleep through the night. Waking up early to see the sunrise almost happened but we just missed it (and that turned out to be OK since it was a cloudy day- actually there was a bit of rain! In the desert!)

The drive back was a bit faster (our young driver was daring!) The one fun moment was an unexpected parking lot dance party when a bus full of students carrying a large speaker parked behind us and pulled us into the party. We needed to get to Chefchaouen, a city a few hours North of Fes, the next morning and when we realized that the buses were sold out we asked our taxi driver for a contact. Negotiating the car to Chaouen was chaotic. Finally, after multiple calls back-and-forth, we found ourselves running through the pouring rain to a meet someone sent by the taxi company to give a cash deposit. After all of this we opted for a nice dinner at Café Clock (our favorite item was the Fes Platter) then went to have a shower and rest before the next day’s early morning adventure.

Chefchaouen

In the morning the rain followed us to Chefchaouen. We went to the bus station first thing to get tickets for the next morning (7am on the CTM tourist bus because the local bus option took twice the time). I’d booked a room through Airbnb but we went to have a big lunch first which was really lovely- we sat on a balcony with an open window and a fire near us in the rain.

As the rain cleared that afternoon, we really just wanted to wander around the beautiful blue city. We walked halfway up to a mountainside lookout and walked in circles around the medina stopping for street-side sweets and taking pictures. It was lovely.

The only bus back to Rabat was in the morning so we planned to take advantage of our last day starting with a glam Hammam experience then a nice big lunch… but things didn’t go as planned. The first THREE Hammams we tried were are all broken/closed. We found ourselves in taxis all over the city and finally gave up. We went to a lunch spot: Pause; near the main train station and gave up completely on the Hammam dream… until in literally the final hour we walked by a massage place which happened to offer hammam and happened to be below our budget and happened to have availability right away which was all too lucky.

What is a hammam?

Essentially, it’s a way of bathing. I understand that there are two types of hammams: group or private. The group hammams are walk-in, self-serve steam rooms where you bring your own towels, soap, etc. and the private are in more of a spa setting, can be individual or in some cases couples-friendly. We took this second option and I wore a bikini (though I’m sure it isn’t mandatory). Two women washed and seriously scrubbed my body, scalp and hair. I left feeling incredibly clean which was especially dramatic after all of the camping, taxis and rainstorms we’d experienced throughout the trip. We went onto the airport feeling like new people. Great ending to the trip!

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Below are some general notes I’d give to any future traveler who’s planning to visit Morocco:

• biodegradable wipes SAVE YOU
• hand sanitizer IS IMPORTANT
• Closed-toe shoes ARE IDEAL
• Scarf (for the dessert) — I didn’t have this and had V sandy ears..
• Cropped pants/skirts/dresses — long things that touch the ground would be gross
• LADIES Cover elbows & knees (note that this trip left me with some ruined clothing, I’d advise against bringing anything too nice) 
• No CCs are accepted save for some tourist restaurants; Cafe Clock for example (small change needed HOLD IT DEAR), euros accepted
• bartering- my strategy (cut in half, meet halfway AND/OR your reasonable price) I’M NO EXPERT
• Airbnb BEST WAY TO BOOK THINGS IN ADVANCE
• No alcohol ENJOY LIFE WITHOUT IT
• Early mornings EXPERIENCE NOW, SLEEP LATER IS THE MOTTO

I’m concerned that tourism has taken its toll on Morocco. I think there’s a lot of hype built up around traveling here and it was hard to feel at ease or to ask for help from people because they’ve already helped 1,000 people before you. I’m sure that there’s a lot to be found hidden amongst the chaos here but I felt drained and without much replenishment after our six days in the country. I’ll cherish the memories and the companionship built but I’m not sure when I’ll return to Morocco. For those of you who do visit, please treat it well and give yourself time to rest in between/after the chaos. I suppose there are two ways of traveling: as a tourist or as a visitor. Being honest about which you are and why you are there is important. We were tourists in Morocco. We didn’t know anybody and needed to navigate the array of traps and guardrails which had understandably been placed in our way. All in all, these first steps in Africa were pretty inspiring. There were some high highs and low lows. My travel partner was the best. All in all, good memories.