Which way do you travel?

I have a bad memory: it’s a fact.

Sometimes I remember things that have happened and stories that I have been told, other times I don’t. But most of the times, I really don’t.

I do remember having heard someone, somewhere, saying that there are two ways to travel the world: one is to go and run after your next adventure and the other is to find a spot and wait until the adventure comes to you.

My natural tendency is way one, but lately I have been experimenting way two as well. How to do this? Well I guess the first step is to find a spot where you feel comfortable – and I don’t mean only a soft chair or sofa. Make sure there is nothing disturbing or distracting around you – and I don’t mean it needs to be a quite or silent spot. If you pick a café, you can order one, but you don’t have to. Try to focus and be aware of what is happening around you. Listen, observe, learn, experience, recall, and repeat.

One of the countries I have enjoyed this activity the most is Morocco. There is so much life in the streets – plenty of things happen in the tiny alleys of medinas!

It was a shy early spring day, Tangier, Cinéma Rif behind me. The entrance of the medina was a few steps away, on the opposite side of a sort of a square. A couple of shoe-shine boys passed by looking for clients. A street vendor with its tiny goods on sale was smiling to the passing by busy ladies carrying their colourful (though plastic) bags. A taxi man stepped out of its car and lighted his cigarette. Girls most likely my age were walking in all directions and probably gossiping about their friends (come on, we all do that). A couple of old men were sitting on the benches, waiting for the next sunshine to come out of the clouds. The smells of mint, freshly baked bred and almonds are also one of those things I will not forget.

Next day, we set on a bus to go to Tétouan. And that was the most overwhelming medina I have ever been to, a World Heritage site you should not miss for any reasons if you pay a visit to the north of the country. Head to Riad Dalia for an authentic experience: you will be welcomed with boiling Moroccan tea, and then ask to go to the top floor. That’s how you will understand why you got lost a few times before finding the place!