Rabat, Morocco
March 6th – 9th, 2025
Morocco has been my first real exposure to Islamic religion and culture. The Muslims I’ve met in the U.S. never really followed the rules, at least, not in any visible or consistent way, so I never truly understood what practicing Islam looked like in daily life. Rabat turned out to be unexpectedly developed and beautiful! At 1 p.m. on Friday, we were stunned to see every man rushing toward the mosque, lining up neatly to pray together. At the most famous mosque, thousands of men gathered at once. Even as an atheist, I couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of respect for Islam in that moment.
Besides the culture, I was genuinely impressed by the food and accommodations. My riad in the Old Medina was both traditional and unique, with beautifully detailed decor and a breakfast that was honestly top-tier. Iftar was equally incredible and full of rich flavors, from the creamy almond butter to the perfectly brewed traditional tea. Every detail felt thoughtful and authentic. Overall, considering the cost of everything, Morocco offers an amazing experience for just a fraction of what I’m used to paying in the Western world. I really enjoyed it.
That said, Rabat wasn’t without its challenges. We ran into a few scams, such as forced tours, locals blocking ATMs, and overpriced ride services. But honestly, that’s just part of the travel experience. It didn’t take away from the richness of the trip—it just added a few more stories to tell.
No shades to everyone else I’ve traveled with, but thank you Ellie for being a great photographer.
As for Ryanair… FUCK YOU!!! After boarding at 6:10 p.m., we were suddenly told to get off the plane and informed that the flight would be delayed by two hours. Then, the next announcement said it would be delayed overnight. In the end, I didn’t take off until 10:45 the next morning. Ryanair did put us up in a hotel, but didn’t provide transport to or from it, and their so-called “compensation system” is a complete nightmare—impossibly complicated and basically unusable. 🖕🖕🏻🖕🏼🖕🏽🖕🏾🖕🏿The result? I missed my non-refundable flight to Innsbruck and lost a night of hotel and transportation on what was supposed to be the most luxurious trip I’ve taken since arriving in Europe. Thanks for nothing, Ryanair.
Fatima, if you’re reading this, I’m so incredibly grateful to have met you. You truly made our time in Morocco unforgettable. I loved every moment, from the self-care rituals to our impromptu photoshoot.
