While surfing the web researching my next destination after Spain, I spontaneously decided to book a Ryanair flight to Morocco. I had no idea what to expect, as I researched nothing prior to arriving. When I announced to my friends and family that I was going to Morocco, I was met with awe and interest – many described that they’ve always had a romanticized view of the country and wanted to visit too. I’ve never shared the same image of Morocco, but the enthusiastic response from my friends back home only fueled the fire to see what it would be like.

On the plane, I met an Australian guy who was traveling around the world for a year or two, before settling down somewhere else – which he had little idea of where that would be. He expressed his idea of importing liquors and what not back home, but he seemed at a bit of a loss. He was an interesting character – who shared the same mindset of most Australians abroad have, which is that the more alcohol and women they meet, the better their travels would be. Since I knew no one in Morocco, and had no map, and barely a plan at all, I stuck with him for the day. The Aussie was quite knowledgeable about Morocco – he must have done his homework, unlike me. We hopped off the plane on the ground and proceeded through the border patrol and the money exchange booth, and while I was haggling for a taxi, he was collecting a phone number from a local girl he met on the plane – all I could do was laugh and shake my head, as he walked back toward me, smiling like a git.

I’ve ran into countless Americans who travel under the faux nationality of Canadian or Australian – due to America’s obvious bad-PR around the world. I’ve also heard from other nationalities that have had some troubles in certain parts of the world – these people are typically from once-strong empires that have earned their bad rep from colonization. While this may not help the PR of a country, it’s an interesting insight into the experience that travelers have on the road. I’ve had no problems telling everyone that I’m an American – because even if someone scoffs at the name, they soon see that not all Americans are (to quote a fellow international traveler) “hillbilly, racists, who can’t sleep a wink without their rifle, loaded and under their pillow.” While I’ve mainly traveled around North America, Northern Africa, Europe and the Caribbean, I’ve had no problems with my nationality – whatsoever. However, circumstances could have smiled upon me, and other travelers could have suffered through nightmares – it’s also extremely probable that certain nationalities are loved and hated more, in different parts of the world.

SO, what I’m interested in is the point of view of other travelers from all around the world. If you would, in this discussion, comment below and talk about your nationality and what parts of traveling have been good and bad for you.

BUT what I’m NOT interested in are judgmental comments or self-righteous point of views. I want personal experiences, in an open discussion... With that said: Ready, set, GO!

(Photo by ~vladstudio via Deviant Art)

Bed bugs! Two words that are guaranteed to strike fear into the heart of any traveller, conjuring up images of fearsomely hungry invisible creatures that can turn a peaceful nights sleep into an itchy nightmare.

The reality is that they are an inescapable part of travel. And the good news is that bed bugs don’t carry any diseases. The bad news is that an encounter can leave you looking like squadrons of angry mosquitoes have blitzed your skin, as well as possibly turn you and your gear into a mobile bed bug palace. 

So, an encounter is something you want to avoid. Let’s take a look at how you might be able to do that when travelling.

Leaving Granada, I ran into two traveling musicians from England. A younger man with a killer 70’s-like California surfer look, and his friend was an older man who looked like his father from the 70’s. The two were heading to the train station as well, so we walked through the old parts of the city until we came across a set of cabs. They were lighthearted and a load of fun – it’s amazing the people you meet while traveling, and how easy it is to have great conversations and perhaps strike up lasting friendships. The two were off to perform at a wedding south of Granada – I’ll be honest, I would have rather joined them than heading to the Costa del Sol.

All along my travels through Spain, people had raved about the city of Ronda – everyone told me that I HAD TO VISIT! So for the first time, I decided to sign up for a tour. I’m not typically a “tour” person – I like to wander alone or in a close-knit group of people I know. I don’t like to be on a schedule or guided this way or that – it’s just not for me. My tour pickup point was just south of Malaga, along the coast, in Torremelinos. I booked a last second hostel online and I hopped off my bus from Granada to find a sprawling, over-developed cesspool. The coast stretching from Malaga south is built up with hotels, resorts and bar districts – usually, I like bar districts, but only when they’re full of local flavor. I don’t travel to find faux culture and overdeveloped areas that remind me of childhood family trips to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. So, I was instantly let down and I wanted to escape back to the wondrous hills of Granada.

The fondest memories are often those that are short-lived and free of negativity. When traveling from hostel to hostel, it’s ridiculously easy to make new friends, because everyone else is in the same boat – alone and wanting to that to change. Anyone who wants to make friends at a hostel typically hangs around the common areas or the bar area, and they tend to gaze around watching for any sort of connection that comes their way. It’s pretty easy to simply walk through the common areas, catch sight with a loner or small pack of people, and share a smile – it’s as simple as that to make a friend. If that doesn’t work for you, simply plop down in a seat next to a bunch of others, and let the conversation sweep you away.

You can learn a lot about a culture when you submerse yourself in it – I just finished up a week in Marrakech, Morocco and I have compiled a few need to knows for you, if you’re ever to visit as well.

I stayed only in Marrakech, but I’m sure that a lot of my findings and suggestions are still useful elsewhere in Morocco...

When you’re needing directions – which is inevitable – ask shop keepers, not the local bystanders, because they almost always will ask you to follow them, as they will show you. Then they will demand money from you. I learned this early on and even in knowing, it can be difficult to shake this aggressive behavior. I told one teenager that I had no money to give and he replied with a reassuring “no problem” and a smile, then when he got me half way to my destination – where I was still lost – he began demanding money. He was aggressive and in my face, pushing his open hand against me, while he spoke, “Give me money, give me money now.” I told him to shove off, because I told him I had none. But typically, I found that most people won’t be so aggressive, but they will be consistent. So, moral is: Ask a shop keeper.