Hey, Yesterday we spent a full day wandering the massive medina (old quarter) in the city of Fes, Morocco, with our guide Saeed. Fully engulfed were we, in a wildly intense and enigmatic world that comes at you from all angles. Just imagine - colorful carpets, ancient wooden homes, the smell of fresh bread, intricate carvings on the madrassa walls, camel heads hanging from the butcher stalls, fabric shops lined with stunning wedding outfits, a mesmerizing array of olives and dried fruits, the largest traditional tannery in North Africa, old-style weavers and woodworkers, vendors selling natural soaps piled high right next to people selling fresh juice, live chickens, belts, housewares and on and on. Add in thousands of stray cats, donkeys and carts and a population of 500,000 people going about their daily activities in the endless tangle of narrow lanes...and that's about 10% of what we witnessed! It's all so brilliant and exhausting and ultimately, addictive. Only when you have a moment to yourself, while sipping tea at Dar Tagine (a true gem of a restaurant in Fes) or back at your elaborately decorated riad, can you even begin to process everything you experienced. Wow. One of the traditional tanneries in Fes, Morocco. |
Friendly Locals
On my first night in Casablanca, I watched a group of 6 foreigners try to hail taxis in front of the hotel. After a few minutes, a taxi pulled over and 3 Moroccan passengers suddenly got out. They told the foreigners that they would walk the rest of the way so that they could use the taxi instead. A minute later, the exact same thing happened again. Another taxi and two more local passengers who chose to walk down the road so that the foreigners could take the taxi. It really doesn't get better than that.
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My Favorites
Where I share my favorites from my life of travel... Keteka - Great website that offers heavily vetted excursions in Latin America that adhere to strict standards related to safety and quality. Zazu Safaris - If you're headed to Tanzania, contact Moses! He's an extremely kind, young guy, running his own small tour company that shows foreigners the best of his country. He even took us to his home village, far off the beaten path, which was truly a memorable experience! Lake Wanaka, New Zealand - Impressive hiking opportunities, excellent views, a remarkable calmness and the wonderful Oasis Yurt Lodge made this small town one of our favorite stops on our NZ road trip. |
The rest of this week's travel email... Free AccommodationIf you love animals and free travel, it's hard to beat a housesitting experience where you stay for free in exchange for taking care of pets! Fairytale Travel Destinations Passport RankingsJapan and Singapore have the best passports, allowing their citizens access to 190 countries ...where does your passport rank? Ultimate Travel Pillow?The Infinity travel pillow claims to be so perfect with its wraparound design that I might have to try one. And I'm not a fan of travel pillows. Free Madrid Stopover Iberia Airlines now lets you add a free stopover in Madrid for up to 6 days. They also give you a lot of discounts on attractions, car rentals and hotels as well as a free public transportation card. Japan and Cleanliness |
Wandering Earl Tours - Ready to join one of my small-group tours to some really cool destinations around the world? Travel Insurance - Traveling soon? Check out Safety Wing, my personal favorite for incredibly affordable travel insurance. Cruise ship jobs - Save money and travel the world! My popular e-Guide "How to Work on a Cruise Ship" helps you get a rewarding job on board a cruise ship. Travel resources - My updated Travel Resources with the booking sites, gear, apps and more that I use on my own travels.
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