Hi Aaron and Amy,
Wow, I am still trying to get my mind around this absolutely fabulous trip! “Marrakesh Express” (the classic song by CSN) still keeps playing in my head since Linde and I were singing it on the bus as we approached the city.
It was truly one of the best journeys that I have ever been on. Our guide, Lahcen Asmar, was just phenomenal. He was with us from early morning to late night and handled any issues calmly and professionally. He arranged for a doctor to come to Xaluca in Erfoud for one woman with severe intestinal issues that OTC drugs weren’t stopping. One woman slipped on this huge step coming out of the bathroom at Xaluca Dades, but declined going to a clinic for Xrays. We made a few stops in a nearby town and he not only got crutches for her, but negotiated the price down by $10! He rescued me one night at a French restaurant in Marrakesh when I became overheated and dizzy. The waiter only spoke French and the cab phone # he tried wasn’t working. Lahcen was there in five minutes to pick me up when I asked him only to call me a cab. He went above and beyond to make sure we were safe and comfortable.
Lahcen is one of the best guides that I’ve ever had in terms of history and knowledge. He shared with us so many aspects of life in Morocco and the cultural differences so that we could better interact with local people. Our entire group just loved him and we teased him about agreeing to sign up for the 2025 FFI journey after our experiences. Glutton for punishment! 
Agil was an excellent driver, so polite and helpful. He never took chances on the road and got us to each destination safely. Although we never got to know him due to language issues, he did a great job for our group.
Working with Experience It was one of the most organized journey projects that I’ve done in the past twenty-five years. The information provided was excellent, the communication was rapid with questions and issues quickly addressed and the hotels booked were top notch. We were just amazed by the riads in Chefchaouen and Fes along with Xaluca. Each one was so beautiful, completely different from anything we had experienced.
The food at both the riads and the restaurants that Lahcen booked were fabulous. The variety of dishes offered were so varied and everyone learned so much about Moroccan cuisine. We all wished we could have brought tagine pots home with us!
For about half the group our favorite location was Chefchaouen. It was a photographer’s dream and I am so glad that we added it into the original itinerary and stayed for two nights. It is a bit out of the way which caused a long bus ride when leaving for Fes, but so worth it. When I told the group that I had requested it be added on everyone was in total agreement. It’s such a unique town, completely different from anywhere else we visited. It definitely needs both nights as Lahcen explained many groups arrive for one night, do an evening walking tour and depart the next morning which is unrealistic.
Everyone loved their Sahara Desert experience. Riding the camels was a lot of fun and the superior tents were very comfortable with showers and toilets. The food and service the camp provided was excellent. Being in the desert at night with the peaceful atmosphere and stars galore was simply magical.
The Day in Life of a Berber was a highlight of our trip. Mohammed and his family were extremely friendly and had all activities very well organized. He loves showing people his Berber culture and lifestyle. I thought this was a great way to wind down the journey since it was during the last few days. Everyone had fun participating in the different projects Mohammed set up. He was so thrilled that I was able to get him back in touch with a member of FF Dallas who had been in the first FF group to visit there back in 2007. He and his family were an absolute delight.
The children took us on a walk through the Berber village and curious women would come out to see the visitors. With the children interpreting we had several conversations with different people, were given flowers from a garden and invited in for coffee. The women all approved photo ops and we tried to be extremely vigilant about their wishes.
Our first evening was spent watching videos from Rashida and Abdul’s daughter’s wedding, followed by the celebration of their grandchild the next year. It was fascinating watching the various ceremonies, outfit changes, platters upon platters of food being served and gift exchanges. Something like this required no common language and we loved watching it and learning about the different customs.
I had so much fun in Fes when in the afternoon I would go sit on a corner bench near our host’s home to watch people and observe daily life. One young high school girl approached me with a very tentative, “Hello” and when I smiled and said, “Smitti Vicki” we became friends! More and more young girls gathered around me all wanting to practice their English. They said they had been studying it for four years, but never had the opportunity to speak with a native English speaker. I’m now on Whatsapp with several of them and we chat regularly. They asked to take photos with me (I was surprised at that!) and when I questioned it they said to keep them only on Whatsapp and not to share on FB or Instagram. The photos are so wonderful, but I have respected their wishes and won’t share those.
One special moment happened during one of the last few days in a Berber town where we had stopped by a weaving co-op. Linde Lauff was admiring the work of one weaver and exchanging smiles and basic conversation. The weaver gifted her with a small piece of her art which brought Linde to tears. It was a special connection that Linde said she will never forget.
We loved the cooking class in Marrakesh! It was a great, relaxing afternoon after the chaos of the crowds at the palace and in the medina. The work being done there is commendable and the experience was just plain fun.
Since we were going through the town where Lahcen’s sister and mom live, he arranged for us to stop by his sister’s bakery co-op to meet her, their mom and her staff. His sister gifted each of us with a small plate of cookies, served us mint tea and let us take photographs.
We also really enjoyed our visit and lunch with Karen at her retreat, Cafe Tissardmine. What an interesting woman she is and what a difference she is making for the local people. Everyone also enjoyed the Gnawa music since there were a few musicians in our group.
Our final week was also a school holiday week so sites in Marrakesh were extremely crowded and chaotic. It was challenging for Lahcen to find restaurants to accommodate such a large size group in high season, so it might be easier to work with 18-20. Since next year’s group is already booked for the same timeframe, they will most likely have the same crowds.
I found taking my husband on this trip turned expensive when he custom ordered two tables at the tile factory in Fes – yikes! We’ll see what they look like when they arrive in four months. 
This was his dream trip since “Lawrence of Arabia” is his all-time favorite movie and he loved seeing Ait Benhaddou where part of it was filmed.
I would absolutely recommend Experience It to anyone wanting to go to Morocco (or Oman!). I’ve already told several people about next October’s trip and sent the itinerary to one woman who was interested in private travel.
We found the Moroccan people to be kind and friendly once you made the initial connection. I think we all came home with a new understanding and respect of a very different culture from our own. This trip certainly enriched our lives.
Thanks again for an amazing experience,
Vicki Group Tour Leader for Friendship Force (October, 2024)
