Things I have learned while in Morocco

1. Fresh squeezed orange juice. The real deal. Most delicious thing EVER. You'll never want to go back to the stuff in the states

2. Cat calls- girls, this happens ALL THE TIME. If you don't want to deal with it, make sure you travel with a guy. But, if you're like me and like to explore without men sometimes, don't react to it. It only makes them do it more. Smile, wave and keep walking.

3. Moroccans may come off as stand-offish. Don't let that set your judgement. They will probably be the nicest people you've ever met. A group of us were in Marrakesh for part of the weekend, and we stayed at a hostel called the Hotel Chellah. The owner was a quiet man, and because I could not communicate well with him, he came off as intimidating to me. We went out to a club that night and didn't get back until really early in the morning, and I felt super bad for I feared that I had woken him up when I called to be let in at 5am. When we left the hotel at noon, Maiya exchanged a few words with him, and apparently he had asked Seth if we had come back or not (Seth did not go to the club with us), and waited up for us girls to make sure we arrived back at the hotel safely. When I heard this, my heart melted. Even the most intimidating of strangers can be some of the world's most wonderful people.

4. Msemen, also known as the Moroccan pancake. Delicious with honey or chocolate. Yumm... I could eat those all day...

5. It is possible to order tea without sugar- so, if you are a purest like me, try the Moroccan tea for the first couple days, and then know that you can order it without sugar if it gets to be too much. Or just get coffee.

6. Camels are just as cool as they are thought to be!

7. College sports are nothing like they are in the states. Be ready to get frustrated or to take the time to practice the basics. There is no order to what they call sports (I feel bad for the coach, the girls on the team are not in shape and have no desire to be at practice).

8. Morocco is a lot bigger than you think it is: If you stay in Ifrane, be ready for 12 hour bus rides to the Atlantic coast, or 4 hours to Rabat and Casa. The shortest ride to the nearest large city = 45 minutes to 1 hour.

9. The people who make a living in the Desert are amazing. I do not know how they do it with so little water and so much dry and so much heat. They are incredible.

10. Arabic is the most friendly, amiable, and beautiful language I have ever heard.

11. If you like bread, you have come to the right place. However, when eating out, make sure you know if you will be charged for it before you eat it because sometimes they just give it to you. And then charge you for it afterwards when you think it's going to be like chips at a Mexican restaurant.

12. Be ready for all kinds of weather: Africa does indeed get snow.

13. Do not try driving if you are a foreigner, you will never make it to your destination alive.

14. Know how to bargain- it may seem cheap in USDs, but it's a good feeling when you can get the price down for even cheaper.

15. Everything is fresh and organic- unless you go to a Marjane, you'll find very little that is processed or that contains corn syrup.

16. Boots are definitely a fashion: girls, if you have the need to fit in, find yourself a pair. Also, it helps with the snow.

17. Clear skies at night and beautiful sunny weather the majority of the time- a great way to start and end your day :)

18. Make sure to take in your surroundings- there are so many beautiful things to see and exciting things to do. You can go clubbing in the states, you can't ride camels or see the sun set over the Mediterranean.

19. Always be willing to start a conversation

20. Be ready to eat late: meals are not like they are in the states, dinner on average is around 8-10pm.

21. Moroccan time: don't worry about being "on time," everything starts at least a half hour later than planned. Relax and take your time getting to where you need to be. There's no such thing as "in a rush" here (and I lovvvveee it!)

22. When traveling, make sure you are okay going without a shower for a few days. No one else cares or does it, so if you don't it won't matter. Deodorant is efficient enough. Bring a hat if you don't like the way your hair looks

23. Cafes are male oriented (they sit, drink their coffee/tea, and sit towards the exit, watching everyone and everything that happens to be near their location.. sometimes it can be creepy, a bunch of older men watching you..). It's probably safer and more towards the social norms if you don't hang out in one (if you are female)

24. The medinas are the places to go if you are looking for culture. They are some of the most beautiful places in Morocco as well.

25. Morocco is so pedestrian oriented: No matter where you are you will see crowds of people everywhere, whether that be walking, talking, biking, motorcycling or moped-ing, roller blading...

26. Sales people can be aggressive, don't let them entice you too much. Stand your ground.

27. Try anything and everything: you never know what you'll miss out on if you don't :)

28. I may miss home sometimes, but I am so happy to be here. Can't wait to tell all of you back in the US about EVERYTHING