Vomiting into squatty potties in Morocco…
So, this is what happened in Morocco…
Our trip in Morocco started in Marrakech after a very long travel day from our home in the countryside of North Georgia. Upon arriving in Marrakech, the immigration officer didn’t believe that I was “from” the U.S., despite my U.S. passport and the documented proof that I was born in Atlanta, Georgia, and adamantly insisted that where I’m actually from is Taiwan. I didn’t get my passport back until I agreed haha. That was one of those moments where I was greatly reminded that I don’t “look” American to some standards, and that I felt just a tad safer traveling with Chad. This reaction to where I’m from continued throughout our entire time in Morocco, just in less aggressive ways haha.
Morocco was simply ENCHANTING. There was something about the warm glow of light from the brass lamps, the colorful mosaic tiles that lined the riad floors, and the strong smell of leather goods that wafted through the winding alleyways, that transported us into a mystical world of wonder. We were mesmerized by their handicraft and greatly impressed by their food. It was charming in every sense of the word, and their attention to hospitality was the cherry on top of it all.
We spent our first day wandering the bustling souks of Marrakech, lowkey dodging all the men calling out to me with “hellos” in Mandarin, Japanese, and Korean haha. There were so many beautiful, handmade goods, and we tried diving into Morocco’s well-known haggling culture, as we purchased a few trinkets and treasures for our home and for some friends. We are SO not used to haggling, especially since prices are always firm in the U.S. stores, so playing the game was certainly an interesting and memorable experience hahaha.
One of the most unforgettable experiences we got on our trip was attending a private baboush making workshop with a local shoemaker. We got to fully customize our slippers, choosing the color, shape, and size, and after three hours of cutting, gluing, hammering, and sewing, we left the shop with two remarkably soft, sheep-skin leather baboushes. We have been on the search for house slippers for the longest time, so this workshop was the perfect choice, for not only the hands-on experience of making them, but also the practical use of the final product. I am actually wearing my handmade baboushes as I write this newsletter!
After Marrakech, we headed into the Moroccan countryside, driving through the Atlas Mountains towards the Sahara Desert. We couldn’t believe how GREEN the mountains were. The waters were a crystal clear turquoise blue, and the earth was a vibrant reddish-orange. It was mind-blowing to watch the landscape change hour after hour as we drove through the country– some moments felt like Zion National Park in Utah, others felt like Craters of the Moon in Idaho, and of course, as we slowly approached the Algerian border, it started to look a whole lot like Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado.
We had the pleasure of working with Holiday Morocco Tours for our time in the desert, and the desert camp they had us at was unexpectedly luxurious! The showers had hot running water, the tents were homey and spacious, and the meals were healthy and delicious. When the sun set at night, the dunes came alive with the sound of music. The beating of drums and the flicker of firelight emerged from every direction, and a tapestry of sparkling stars rose high above our heads. It was nights like those that made us feel as if we were caught in a trance of musical magic.
Our trip in Morocco was going tremendously well until…I got FOOD POISONING (again?!), and before you ask, I do NOT know what I got it from. Chad and I always eat all the same foods, and it seems that, sometimes, my stomach just can’t handle it when his can. When I got hospitalized in India, we both vowed that we would never find our way back to a hospital, unless it was critically necessary, and that we would continue pushing through and film, despite the excruciating pain and discomfort. That is why I found myself riding a camel at sunrise, nauseous beyond comprehension, trying to hold it together for the sake of the video and all our work commitments.
I’ve gotten sick so much on our travels that I’ve gotten pretty good at tying back my hair and projectile vomiting into a squatty potty one second, and smiling for the camera and giving a thorough description of the food we’re about to eat, the next. It’s a skill I never thought I’d master, but when you’re in this line of work, it’s kind of necessary. It’s so funny how a lot of our travel YouTube friends can relate on this haha.
The day I battled through every symptom of food poisoning was inconveniently the same day our guide planned to have us over at his family’s house. His mother made us the largest, most extravagant feast of Moroccan mint tea and chicken couscous, and when we’re welcomed into a local home like that, it’s hard and just unlike us to say “no” to the hospitable offerings of food and drinks. I ate as much as I could, and then some, because grandmama in the corner insisted that I keep eating.
Chad and I both were NOT surprised when I had to excuse myself to their bathroom to throw up the entire bright yellow feast into their squatty potty, before manually flushing it all down with tiny buckets of water. The women of the household started to question why I kept making trips to their bathroom, and to be fair, we did tell everyone (including our guide) that I had food poisoning at the very start of the day. Our guide’s mother had a tight fistful of mystery herbs waiting for me when I emerged from the bathroom the third time, and being both open-minded and desperate for relief, I swallowed the very dry pile of herbs alongside some water before taking a nap in their living room.
While I slept, Chad enthusiastically watched an Arabic television show, and by the time I woke up, I was feeling moderately better. Surprisingly, good enough to energetically dance around a fire to the sound of Berber drums that night. The body is truly incredible haha.
Our final stop in Morocco was Fes, and despite everyone and their mother telling us to get a guide, we decided to explore the city on our own. Because we had cell service, we were able to easily navigate the streets with Google Maps, but I must say, the souks of Fes are far more narrow, windy, and expansive than Marrakech, so I can see why many tourists often get lost in there.
After recovering from food poisoning, I was feeling on top of the world and eager to try the Moroccan street snails we missed in Marrakech. We wandered around the souks for quite a long time before finally finding a snail shack, and we bought ourselves a steaming hot bowl of snails and snail soup. This turned out to be one of our favorite dishes in Morocco! The broth was rich in spices and extremely peppery in taste. We loved it so much, we bought a second bowl! This is definitely the most adventurous food you can try in Morocco, so if you’re down for it, we highly recommend that you give it a go!
My hosting era continues…
For the month of May, my friends and I decided to host a farmer’s market-themed picnic before the weather gets too hot. As always, these gatherings are potlucks, so no single person has to stress about doing all the cooking, and the ladies continue to go above and beyond with the spread! I decided to make a prosciutto sweet peppers, stuffed with homegrown sage, lemon thyme, and parsley cream cheese, and also some carrot pecan cupcakes with homemade cream cheese frosting.
I laid out thrifted Appalachian quilts in a shaded spot on my friend’s land, and her husband moved pallets out into the field for all our food. The setting was right by a running creek, so we chatted and delighted in farm fresh foods to the sound of the water.
I’d also set up a herb salt jar station, where the ladies could fill up a small jar with organic sea salt, rosemary, thyme, or parsley. I thought it’d be perfect for them to use it throughout the summer on steaks, popcorn, fish, potatoes, salads, and whatever their hearts desire!
In June, I’m getting the chance to host a baby shower for a friend, and I’ve never hosted a baby shower before, so this next gathering is going to be extra special! Can’t wait to share how it turns out!
Travel medical insurance we HIGHLY recommend for your next trip–
Before our recent trip to India, we booked SafetyWing’s Nomad Insurance Essential plan for short-term coverage. We hoped we wouldn’t need it…but, when I unexpectedly had to be admitted into a hospital for nearly a week, SafetyWing covered the entire stay and all our medical bills. It was one of those moments where we were SO grateful we had travel medical insurance, and from now on, we will ALWAYS be getting coverage for our trips, big or small. Here is why we see the value in SafetyWing and why we think you should also use them on your next trip:
Reliable when it matters. From sudden illnesses to motor accidents, this coverage has your back in any travel situation, no matter how serious. We can affirm from our own experience that they will pull through.
Flexible options. The Essential plan is ideal for shorter trips or budget-conscious travelers, while the Complete plan includes routine checkups, mental health support, and ongoing care for longer-term travel. There are plans for every budget!
Adventure-ready. We often travel with expensive camera gear and book adventurous activities, so having optional add-ons for electronics theft and adventure sports gives us some extra peace of mind.
Easy to use. Everything is handled online. That means no phone calls, no confusing forms, and no hassle!
We are proud to be partnering with SafetyWing as we continue to explore the world! If you’ve got a big trip coming up this summer (or even a short one), definitely consider checking out their travel medical insurance.
New travel videos on YouTube–
Our Munnar vlog: We hiked and camped out in the beautiful mountains of Munnar until Claire had to be rushed to the hospital due to an emergency. Here is the link to the video.
Our Marrakech vlog: We spent 48 epic hours exploring the hustle and bustle of Marrakech and shared our first impressions of Morocco. Here is the link to the video.
So, where are we heading next?
We’re going to Spokane, Washington, baby! Our good friends Sammy and Tommy are hosting us along with Eric and Sarah (and baby Juniper) and Adam and Kathryn from Adventures of A Plus K for a week and a half! We plan to film one video in Spokane before heading out to the lake to celebrate the first days of summer! Competitive games, delicious home-cooked meals, and lots of lake activities are all on the itinerary, so we’re gonna be in for such a treat.
This month, we’ll also be celebrating both of our 27th birthdays and doing something festive for the Strawberry Moon and the Summer Solstice. It’s funny how I used to hate the month of June, and now, it’s one of my favorite times of the year. Enjoy the golden beauty of the brightest month of the year, and don’t forget to see and cherish the light. Here’s to the start of summer.
MOST SINCERELY,
Claire (and Chad)
