First ever solo Adventure - Morocco
When my wife booked a yoga retreat for herself and suggested I go somewhere on my own, I saw an opening to do something I had always wanted to do – Go travelling.
Why Morocco
I felt like I needed to go somewhere as exotic as possible. I've always wanted to visit Asia, but I only had a week, so I didn't want to spend days on a plane. Morocco fit the criteria perfectly, and even better, the cost of the return flight from London was just £89. That's mad when I tell you it cost me £79 to park the car at the airport!
Next was where to stay. I was flying into Marrakesh, so looked for places near Jemaa el-Fnaa which is the main square. As I was trying to keep to a tight budget, I started with hostels. This was quite challenging for me because the research I did showed that the majority of hostel guests were under 30 years old. Some hostels claimed to welcome older guests, but I still worried that I would be the oldest person there. After a lot of searching, I found a nice hostel that looked more like a hotel. To avoid any potential awkwardness, I booked a private room instead of a dormitory.
I decided that I would love to be able to travel into the Sahara Desert, on a camel, of course. So, I only booked for the first 3 nights. I didn’t prebook the trip into the desert, as there are lots of options, and I thought I would be able to find others in the hostel who were going on the same trip and go with them. Now, I’d like to say I was fully relaxed about this flexible, easy-going approach. But no, it put me right outside my comfort zone and miles away from my usual meticulous organizing of everything. However, I stuck with it.
The only thing I needed for the trip was a backpack. A 40l Osprey was the perfect size, as I like to pack light, which also allowed me to take it on board the plane, saving more money and time at the airport. YouTubers say packing bags are the way to go. I had never used these before so bought some. They're good, and I always use them now. They certainly help to organise your stuff and pack things tighter, so you can fit more in.
So that was it, booked and ready to go!
Marrakech is an energetic and eclectic city
Or as some people describe it, ‘too noisy, too lively, too hot and too mad’
Travelling solo and arriving in the evening when it was dark heightened the atmosphere. The noise hits you full in the face. I did feel safe, but was very vigilant. I arrived at my hostel, which was amazing, unpacked, and sat down on the bed, feeling pleased with myself that I had done it. I was on my own in Morocco and everything was going to be amazing.
I glanced down at my phone and noticed it was down to 15% battery. So I went to plug it in only to realise I had brought the wrong phone lead to fit my adaptor plug. Utter panic hit me.
This was so unlike me, my phone has everything on it I need, to get around, to pay for things, to Google. I needed it to get me up in the morning! I then did what everyone does, tried five times to get the lead to fit into the adaptor plug, even though it obviously was the wrong one.
In moments of panic, I am often a calm person who can think rationally. So, I took a deep breath and tried to clear my head. I just needed to go out and buy a cable. Now if I was back home that wouldn’t have been a problem. But anyone who has been to Marrakesh at night knows it pretty full-on and takes time to adjust. I had only been here half an hour, and I had absolutely no idea where to go.
The receptionist gave me a clue as to the direction I should head. So, at 22.00, I set out on my mission to find an electrical shop/stall that may or may not be open and may or may not have the cable I needed. Senses at full alert, I marched through the narrow streets, avoiding any eye contact with anyone, pretending to look like I knew where I was going, and trying to remember landmarks so I could get back.
Trying to Haggle
Amazingly after 15 mins, in a busy street full of little shops, I found one. Phone cases and leads galore, I couldn’t believe it. I found the one I needed and went to pay the shop owner. Now everyone tells you to haggle. I don’t haggle, I’m English, and just pay whatever they tell me. But I was feeling so self-assured I decided to give it a go.
He didn’t understand English very well, my problem, not his, but I thought he said 30, so I said 20 and he nodded. I gave him a 50 dirham note, he gave me change, and we both looked at each other like we were winners. Walking away I looked down and realised he had only given me 20 dirhams change, so I had paid 30 after all. However, that’s only about £2. To be honest, I would have paid 100 dirhams I was so desperate, so in the end, we were both happy and I walked back to my hostel.
I managed to find my way back, sat on my bed, connected my phone, got the reassuring noise that it was charging and took another deep breath. I realised I was shaking. It was one of these times when you realise you have just been living in the moment, when your mind and body have been in a state of total fixation on the job at hand. I had don’t it, overcome a problem. I felt alive.
The following 3 days flew by, and I went to all the tourist places in Marrakesh and loved it, so fascinating. I booked myself onto the desert trip, as I hadn’t found anyone to really talk to in the hostel. Not helped by me being in a private room on my own. Dorms are what help make connections with other people. Lesson learned.
Making friends
Travelling by minibus on the way to the desert, I bonded with 7 others. Yes, I was the oldest, I think the next oldest was twenty years my junior. There were 6 different nationalities between us, and that seemed to be part of why we connected and got on so well. We had an amazing time and I still have such fond memories of the friendships made and the things we did together.
On our return from the desert, a few of us stayed at my original hostel for our last night before going off in different directions. I stayed in a mixed dorm for 6 people, as that was the only space left. Absolutely no issues at all, everyone was so friendly and chatty, that I regretted not doing this from the start.
Pushing your limits
My first-ever solo adventure just showed me that you have to push yourself outside your comfort zone sometimes, but if you do, the rewards are so worth it.