March, 2010

• 2 March

  To Hammam or not to Hammam … How to Hammam in Morocco

  

  Today was one of those traveling days, where you’re tired, cranky and suffering from a bit of travel fatigue … you’re set in one of the most fabulous and mysterious cities in the world and yet all you can think about, is watching Sportscenter and eating chips in your home. So I decided to listen to my body and take …
• 2 March

  Lawd, meh belly can’t take it no more … Djemaa el Fna food touring at night … Part Deux

  “Lawd  … meh belly full … ah cyar eat no more … but ok … one more piece. <Two minutes later>…. aight, aight … gimme ah small plate of <insert food item here>” Trinidadians love their bellies. It’s part of our culture, it’s part of our heritage and part of what makes a Trini, a Trini. After a second night …
• 2 March

  Is ah concrete pitch party at the Djemaa el Fna …

  “Holy shit, is like dey close down the Savannah, pave it, and put the all the Debe doubles vendors, the Breakfast Shed, Shay Shey Tien and he 50 Chinee cousins, and have Machel and David Rudder singing easy kaiso and soca at the same time … they have to have some blasted corn soup in here” There has been much …
• 1 March

  You’re in Fez … spend a little money on a Riad

  Hotels are a dime a dozen and offer conditions that are officially ranked, reviewed, regurgitated and inevitably catalogued. If in Fez/Marrakech/Essaouira, try staying a Riad. The definition of a Riad is a traditional Moroccan house or palace with an interior garden. But they are so much more than that. The riads are inwardly focused, which allows for family privacy and …

February, 2010

• 28 February

  More Moroccan culinary artistry, smelly tanneries and Fassian Carpetbaggers

  Walking through Fez is like watching an old movie from my childhood. I remember the biblical epics starring Charlton Heston, Kirk Douglas and Lawrence Olivier, with the backgrounds of tiny streets, tons of busy people, laughing children, layered aromas of manure, kafta kebabs, mer and incense complete with donkeys wandering around. Well walking today was no different from those scenes, except that the donkeys are carrying LPG …
• 27 February

  Arabian … ahem … Moroccan nights in Fez

  There is a reason that cliches are called cliches. Typically, all the guide books mention that you should not make friends on the trains, because you’re likely to meet a smooth talking Moroccan on the trains claiming to be very well to do, with a good job. They get into easy conversation with you about your job, family, the country …
• 27 February

  Stuck in Tangiers for now …

  It’s been three hours that I’ve been stuck in Tangerville train station, but everyone has been really nice to me so far, especially since I saw 4 Americans asking questions and getting the complete cold shoulder from everyone. The first question everyone has asked me, “Where are you from?” … upon the reply of Trinidad … the quizzical looks start. …
• 27 February

  My first time with real Moroccan food …

  I’ve had Moroccan food before and I wasn’t really a fan of it. It’s like my opinion on Ethiopian food, I can eat it but it wouldn’t be my first choice unless I was having it at my friend Beth’s house, since she is an amazing cook. Something about Injera doesn’t sit well with my Trinidadian palate … roti or …
• 27 February

  Morocco, you and I need to have a talk …

  Traveling without any set plan or itinerary comes with its inherent challenges: Constantly changing places to sleep Constantly being on a bus/train/plane Not knowing where you will be in a week Gambling that last minute fares and hotels can be negotiated on the fly Figuring out if there are ghosts in your room Dealing with people in your hostel who snore louder than …
• 26 February

  What language does the “Bus” qualify as??

  Drinking while travelling is should only be acceptable, if you have nowhere else to go after. Thankfully, Foster’s marketing slogan is “Fosters is Australian for Beer”, however I think they should rename it to “Fosters is Australian for Budwiser”. An early morning in Gibraltar means that the buses start running from 7am and  getting around Gibraltar via their excellent bus …