By Daniel Forkner, part two of a series | RABAT, Morocco — In late January of this year, I left home in Gwinnett County to travel the world. So far I have been to nine countries and many more cities. One of the most memorable experiences so far has been hitchhiking for three days on a zero budget.
Forkner
I met a French traveler in Prague who travels with no money as part of a personal project, and I decided to join him for a short time. Standing on a street corner with my thumb outstretched taught me humility, and being picked up, sheltered, and fed by locals drove the lesson home. As I go about my life, I hope to cultivate and extend the kind of generosity that I experienced during those three days. Now, as I write this I am lounging on a Mediterranean armchair in the capital city of Morocco.
I was nervous about visiting Morocco. I knew that it would be different from anything I had experienced before, and there would be a significant language barrier. I was also concerned that my naiveté might open myself up to being taken advantage of by local businesses. I was anxious enough that I spent an extra night in the Spanish port town of Algeciras, just to put it off.
Sure enough, when I finally stepped off the ferry in Tangier, Morocco, I felt overwhelmed by the simple task of finding my hotel for the evening. What followed was a crash course in being a tourist, in which I was led around the city by a man pretending to be giving an honest tour, but in reality was introducing me to all the vendors in town for high-pressure sales presentations. It was a valuable experience. Then, when I arrived in the capital city the next day, a large protest was occurring and my anxiety was heightened. I felt out of place, isolated, and alone in the foreign city.
Click to enlarge
I came to Rabat for a four-week sojourn in which I will participate in a program through the United Nations and a news analysis organization. Fortunately, my anxious feelings quickly eroded as I became involved in the community. I made friends through the program, and also through a martial arts club I joined.
Moroccans are proud of their hospitality. One of my favorite experiences involved spending the day with a local family. Grandmother Amina and Aunt Mimouna cooked a delicious meal, and I learned many things about what it’s like growing up in Morocco. Lunch was followed by tea and dessert, and it was humbling to be welcomed so generously into their home.
I’ve come to believe that a place is only as valuable as the people and the relationships formed. So far, I have met some incredible people and made memorable relationships. The more I learn about Morocco, the more I enjoy my stay here.
Soon I will visit the Sahara for a three-day desert tour on camels. I will conclude my stay here with a three-day excursion to climb Toubkal Mountain in the Atlas Mountains, at 13,671 feet above sea level, the highest peak in North Africa.
Follow Us