A Great Way to Experience Morocco for the First Time

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Welcome back to another amazing episode of Destination Morocco podcast. in today's episode, we have a special guest that have been to Morocco very recently, and she came back with a lot of memories. And her name is Kyle. So Kyle, welcome to the podcast and thank you so much for being a guest. And I'm really, really intrigued and very interested about your story, and how you got to Morocco.

So if you wanna tell the audience a little bit, please, Kyle.

KYLE ELIZABETH FREEMAN: Okay, thanks Azdean, it's lovely to be with you my story is a little interesting in that I wasn't able to travel for many, many years because I had chronic health issues that made travel possible. And a few years ago when I, when I tried and I was, I was feeling very hopeless. Uh, my health was really bad.

And I just said to myself, if I ever get to travel someplace again, I think I'm supposed to go to Morocco. And I should say that I had very, I didn't know anything about [00:01:00] Morocco. It, it was just like this feeling, this, it's like it came through to me, that it was supposed to be Morocco. The only thing I really knew was that I loved Moroccan design.

I'm an interior designer and so I've always loved Moroccan design and the colors and from what I had seen. so anyway, my health slowly started to get better. And the other thing about my story is that, the holidays, I've had a lot of loss in my life, and the holidays can be a very grief filled time.

And two years ago, I decided I'm gonna travel on Christmas. To like change my sadness about the holidays, just turn it into something that I get to look forward to. So my first trip a year ago was to Puerto Rico, but then this year I was like, okay, I think this is the year I go to Morocco. and so I decided this time to actually fly on Christmas Day and I got to Morocco on the [00:02:00] 26th.

it was just very exciting. A very meaningful solo trip. I have older brothers and they knew I was gonna be traveling alone, and they're like, Kyle, we really would like you to get a guide and a driver.

And I was like, I don't want a guide and a driver. I wanna just like. Fumble my way through and find, you know, just mess up and get lost. And, and they were really, really pressuring me about this. and so finally I was like, okay, I will do that. And then I, I had been searching for podcasts about Morocco.

and as you know, I, I only had like a month lead up time, I think. 

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Yes. 

KYLE ELIZABETH FREEMAN: And I've heard your podcast and I was like, oh, he sounds lovely. So I reached out to you and then 

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Thank you. Thank you. Yeah, because it's, it's very, very interesting, like I said earlier, there are a few things that I get asked. All the time.

Number one is Morocco safe [00:03:00] for female sort of travelers. This is the number one, question that I get. Then the second one, what do I wear when I get to Morocco? and my answers are always the same. It is safe and you can dress up, you know the way that you like and what whatever makes you comfortable.

So I'm gonna ask you the same two questions, please, Kyle. how did you feel in terms of safety in Morocco?

KYLE ELIZABETH FREEMAN: I mean, I think I, I, I felt safe. that's the quick answer. You know, I felt just nervous when I got there 'cause it was so foreign for me. It was so different. I don't speak Arabic or French, so I don't speak either of the languages. but enough people spoke enough English that we'd able to get by.

But, but honestly Azdean, so no is the person that you connected me with for my trip and nor met me at the airport. And As much as my, I didn't wanna get a guide or driver. I felt relieved when I got to the airport that someone was meeting me there and he was just [00:04:00] so lovely immediately. so I felt safe 'cause I was with Nora a lot of the time, but even I would like walk by myself in the new city.

I would, there's times where I walked in the Medina by myself and I felt fine, you know, I mean, I felt like I, maybe I stood out, But I don't really think I did. I think that's just a neurotic feeling.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: And in terms of clothing, were you surprised with that people were dressed up or the culture in Morocco or the people in Morocco, or were you comfortable in your own clothes, for example, Kyle?

KYLE ELIZABETH FREEMAN: Yeah, I was, I was, I was very comfortable and I, you know, I had read like. Cover your arms and your legs, and, but I saw people wear, you know, you felt like you were in a major city, and in a city you're gonna see people dressed all the ways. 

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Absolutely. 

KYLE ELIZABETH FREEMAN: I didn't feel nervous, you know, I was thoughtful. I wasn't, but I, I basically dressed how I dress at home.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: That, that, thank you. Thank you. Be I said the same thing to a lot of people because it is a major concern, when it comes to, [00:05:00] to safety again for solo female travelers to Morocco your trip. I know the time that he got to Morocco, I left Morocco, so the, uh, I didn't get a chance to, to meet you.

And, uh, I traveled Christmas Eve and it was one of the best days to travel for me because everything was empty. The airplane, you know, airports, it was, it was a lot of fun. So by the time that it got to Morocco, it's the beginning of the little bit of the chaos because Morocco hosted the. African, couple of nations and again, it's in December and I always tell people, if you wanna book Morocco in December, you have to do it a, a minimum of six to nine months to be comfortable.

So how was that experience for you? especially being in Marrakech and Marrakech It's always happy and it's always busy. So can you just let us and let the audience know, you know, the vibe, the atmosphere, the energy during that time, you visited the Marrakesh.

KYLE ELIZABETH FREEMAN: Yeah, it almost makes me wanna cry. I'm, I'm surprised, I'm actually feeling a little emotional [00:06:00] right now. Because what I've said about Marrakesh is that it is so alive. I just, I, I felt so alive there. I felt the energy was so alive. and I think it was extra because of the Africa Cup of Nations. but just like, The, all the scooters and the cars. And that was like, I will say that was at first scary for me to be a pedestrian. To be a pedestrian. But like after a few days I was like, I was crossing the street on my own. And if it was a really crazy intersection, what I would do is I would like stand really close to a local person and I would just cross when they crossed.

Just 'cause the, the traffic is chaotic. but no, so what happened for me is that I ended up. I have a friend of a friend who is Moroccan, and she, her name is Fatia, and Fatiha was in Marrakesh. She lives in Boston, but she was in Marrakesh. And so we met up a bunch and she, we went to the soccer games together.

We went to [00:07:00] watch, we went to the cafes to watch 

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Yes. Oh my gosh. That is an amazing experience.

Tell us. It's 

KYLE ELIZABETH FREEMAN: It was so much fun. I've always wanted to get into soccer. I played sports in college. I played field hockey, which is actually a little similar to soccer and the strategy and.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: and

KYLE ELIZABETH FREEMAN: I just got, I got and, and I was gonna come back from the Atlas Mountains Noor and I went a day on a day trip to the Atlas Mountains and I was texting with Fatia and there was a game that night.

She's like, are you gonna come out to watch the game? I said, yes. And she said, well, you have to get a jersey. So I, I got a Hakimi jersey in the Atlas Mountains is where I bought my jersey. and I just go into the games and like seeing everyone's passion and just pride. I think that's another thing I felt about Morocco and about Marrakesh.

People felt so proud of where they've, where they're from and so proud of their city. And I saw it through the soccer, but like I saw it even without the soccer. I just felt like this [00:08:00] pride and love for their own country for me that was especially nice. 'cause right now, as an American and what's happening in our government is very, very, very upsetting to me.

To put it mildly. And so I felt like when people asked where I was from, I would say America and Moroccans were so, they're like, oh, America, we love you. And because I, I feel ashamed of my country right now. It was just really nice to see a country that could be proud of itself. 

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: oh, thank you, thank you, thank you.

I, I totally agree with. The other thing that I tell a lot of people, just to help you blend in and just fit in, is one of those jerseys because Morocco, you know, soccer and Morocco, especially men and women are doing just amazing, amazing. So when you, when you wear one of those jerseys, it just, it automatically. You automatically look cool. that's just the vibe. I mean, you just, the people look at you, they'll high five you, they'll just give you hugs. It's just, it's, it's really, really incredible. And again, [00:09:00] going back to the, to the pride. and I, I totally agree with you, Kyle, and I felt it. and I attended the game as well.

Uh, not at the stadium, but just at the cafe, but the atmosphere in the cafe, just, it's just incredible. And, and this is one of the things that a lot of people don't get to experience. Even some of us when we travel to Morocco, you know, the African Cup. it's an amazing event. And then after the game ends, it's like a magnetic hub that everybody goes to and where they gather That's where your hotel is.

KYLE ELIZABETH FREEMAN: Yes, yes. That so happened that my hotel was right where people gather after the celebration. And so like we would wa the cafe wasn't far from my hotel where we watched the games. but when we'd come back, the, the streets were just filled with scooters and people like screaming and yelling and honking their hoards.

It, it is so magical. 

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Yeah, it just, it feels incredible. It, it really does, and, and I got a chance to, to witness it as well. One of the things that I really liked is the police [00:10:00] officers. They, they did such an amazing job. Organizing the traffic, calming down the people, you know, just being nice. Uh, which, which is a really, really good sign.

So it was a lot of fun. And I enjoyed it, then I give you a word and said, Hey, you know, just be careful. It's your hotel is gonna be, I mean, you can watch everything from your room, but you know, the ground is just gonna be packed.

So, and it stays that way for a long time, Now the, the other question that I have, I know that you call, went to the game, to the stadium and, and watch the game.

How was that experience? 

KYLE ELIZABETH FREEMAN: It was so fun. I, I initially, so I went to a game between, uh, Gabon and Ivory Coast. This was on New Year's Eve. This is what I did with my New Year's Eve, um, my solo New Year's Eve, and. It was so much fun. But even walking in there when no dropped me off, I was like so scared I was gonna get lost. There were so many people, but I will say the security for those games was like you had [00:11:00] to go through so many different checkpoints.

I couldn't believe the security. And then I just a little story about how kind people are there. So I got to the gate and they're like, you can't bring water bottle in. And I was like, well, you mean even if it's empty? They're like, yeah, you can't take it in. So they said, we'll take it for you and you can come get it after the game.

And I'm like, there's thousands of people. How am I possibly gonna get this water bottle back? And I liked it. It was a good water bottle. And so after the game, I like slowly, they said, just make sure to come back to Gate D. And I slowly like wind my way back and I see this like group of people standing at the gate.

They all worked there and they recognized me and they're like, water bottle. And I was like, oh, I will always cherish that water bottle. It was just such a kind thing that they remembered and like the thousands of people that were there or the, I don't know how many people were there, but yeah. 

Yeah, I felt very cared for.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Absolutely. Absolutely. [00:12:00] the other thing that I wanted to, to ask you, Kyle, please, you only stayed in Marrakesh. Um, why? you know, especially in December, and the, the reason is because, you booked a hotel and you're own, which is. Incredible because it was a la very last minute and that, you know, when you reach out to him, it's like, hey, it, this could be, yes, it could be a no, but I'll, I'll do the best that I can.

So when you said I have, I booked the hotel, it was a relief for me because, a lot of accommodations, they want to book you for three or four days minimum. Especially, you know, the, the, holidays, Christmas, new Year's. when did you book your hotel, in Marrakech? And did you have an opportunity to travel through Morocco or you just wanted to stay just in one place?

KYLE ELIZABETH FREEMAN: Yeah, so I, after I, like I was, I was, um, FaceTiming with my brother when I was gonna buy my ticket to Morocco and I was really nervous. I was really like a solo trip. I was just really nervous. So my brother was on FaceTime with me and I'm like, okay, I'm hitting push, I'm sending. [00:13:00] So as soon as I bought the ticket, he said, okay, Kyle.

Now you have to get a hotel by like tonight. And I was like, what? I don't need to rush. I don't need to rush. And this really was probably about four or five weeks before I went. 

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Oh wow. 

KYLE ELIZABETH FREEMAN: So yeah, I guess I got lucky. 'cause of the Africa you, you made, you told me that it was pretty booked up. so he like did the research for me and he just picked the hotel and I was like, fine, I'll do that.

He said, you can always change your reservation if you don't, if you find another place. But I just, I went with the hotel I went to with, it was lovely. The reason I decided to, so for me, 'cause of my chronic health issues, it was still like a big push to do this trip. Um, and I felt like going abroad like this, going to Africa, I felt like let's just go and pretty much stay in one place.

Like let's, let's have our first trip abroad be where we're not like changing places every two days. And so that's what I did. I took a couple day trips. We were supposed to have a third day trip, but the weather made that 

impossible, [00:14:00] uh, to the coast. but it was perfect and I, I got to like really, like, I got to the Medina so many times, you know, and so just so people know, like the Medina is the, the old city and the the suks, the marketplaces, which are wild, and the music in the square at night.

at first that was very overwhelming for me, that whole scene, but I just noticed like day after day, I'm like, I wanna go back. I wanna go back to the Medina. So I'm just so glad I had that much time in Marrakesh to just go back over and over to the, to the Medina and the square and the juices and the, all the amazing crafts that are there.

The colors, the photography.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Absolutely. Absolutely. You know, it's, um. The Medina, I, I go to it as much as I can. The square. It's, it's really, really addictive. And I do agree with you, Kyle. It is very addictive and the thing is, when you're trying to go, it has so many, exits that each one takes you to a completely different neighborhood.

So you can go [00:15:00] left, go middle, go right, go to this side. every time you go, there's something to explore. And, and I, you know, you are right. The smell, the aroma Right before the night falls and everybody's getting ready for the street food and it's very delicious and it gets really, really packed.

And then the hustle and the puzzle people are coming to you, you know, from farm and say, Hey, you know, come sit and let's try this. Let's chicken, beef, lamb, let's you know, they just, they just bring you to their table. So you know, the hustle bus, that's really what makes Jemaa el-Fnaa Square really, really, amazing.

Then the shops, the shops are

just, just incredible. the merchandise that they have, the product, and it changes all the time. Even the souvenirs, you know, it could be a dollar, $10, $5 every time I go, there's something new, something trendy. So you definitely buy something. You're not, you know, you

you have to be blind not to buy anything.

It just, it just looks really, really nice. and again, you being, uh, interior designer, that's, it's like going to a museum if you

would, [00:16:00] you know, there's so much 

KYLE ELIZABETH FREEMAN: like a candy 

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: exactly. 

KYLE ELIZABETH FREEMAN: for me. Like I want it all. And I wanna say it was something as Dean, 'cause this is something I read about before I went, you know, people talk about the bargaining and I like bargained a little, but I didn't bargain a lot 'cause I was like. I know where I come from, people have a lot of resources and I'm like, this is people's living and I can pay a little, I can pay more.

You know, so I, I didn't do a whole, I think people are like overwhelmed by the whole, you have to bargain. You have to bargain. I did a little bit, but not a lot. So 

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: still, it is still good. That's really good.

Yeah.

Yeah. 'cause everybody expects you to, to, to bargain, you know? 

KYLE ELIZABETH FREEMAN: Right. 

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: is 

amazing.

 You've heard the stories from the travelers here at the podcast. You've felt the rhythm of the Medina through your headphones.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: And now,

I want to personally welcome you

into the frame.

 I'm hosting an exclusive, 

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: small group Imperial [00:17:00] Cities Tour

for just 12 of our listeners. Eight days of deep culture, 

hidden gems,

and the Morocco I know

by heart.

This isn't just a tour,

it is a seat at our table. Space is very limited, so visit destinationsmorocco.com Book your spot today! 

​

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: So, one thing that. This season that I have witnessed being there in November and December is the weather, the weather pattern. It, it felt unseasonably cold, in November and December.

Then when I left, the weather kind of got little bit worse and it changed your itinerary. So everything that we had planned had to change. How did we manage that? How did no manage all the changes? You know, I know you went to, to the outskirts of Marques with a, you know, little bit of hiking in Ber family, then U Vale, [00:18:00] and I know Sora was gonna happen, but then it didn't happen then, you know, the hot air alone and, and, and then the Aga fi.

So how, you know, did we do with those, you know, last minute changes? I know it's, it's. Can be sometimes disappointing, Kyle. So walk us through that experience please.

KYLE ELIZABETH FREEMAN: Sure. Yeah, no, the first weekend that I was there, it pour, it was pouring rain the first couple days and that was hard. I was sad about that. Um. But so we did, we even did some changing in the itinerary then of what we were doing and poor nor like at first I was like, I'm gonna change all the things. I'm like, I don't even wanna commit to anything.

I mean, I was a little bit of a handful at first and he was so patient with me and so, like really just wanted me to have the best time. he was just so flexible and, and even like on New Year's Eve, like that was not on the itinerary for me to go to a game. So like, he had to take me on his New Year's Eve and drop me off and wait for me and pick me up, you know?

And like, it was so generous. Um, he, he was just so [00:19:00] kind. I, I love Nora very much. Um, yeah. Yeah.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Thank you. 

KYLE ELIZABETH FREEMAN: I mean, 

I think what was really, really helpful is that

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: that you guys did

KYLE ELIZABETH FREEMAN: you guys did put together an itinerary, and so it gave me a starting place to like land. And what was also really helpful is like when we had to make changes, whether it was to like the cooking class or the hamam, nor was the one who was able to communicate easily with people.

Like that would've been really hard for me, because I didn't speak Arabic or French. so just like having someone who can coordinate things and make sure that, and like I. Getting around the Medina, I, I would've had no idea where I was or where, how to get anywhere. I mean, I did, I did eventually be like, you know what?

I wanna take a day just by myself, where like I do get lost in the Medina. And I did. And it was great. And, it was perfect. Yeah.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: know, I, I, I know the feeling of getting lost. Uh, sometimes, I got lost in Marrakech as well. and you know, it's funny because I really laugh and [00:20:00] it's like, okay. You know, it's, I, I like it, but

I, I, I, the, the good thing about it's, I find my way back and it's just like, okay, this was fun. So I don't mind it.

Um, you know, I tell, I tell the audience all the time, for the first time visiting a new destination, whether it's in, you know, somewhere in Africa, Europe, Asia, it's really important to have a local guide with. You, the second time, if you're going it, it's a, I would say it's an option.

It's up to you. But the first time, because they really, really make or break. Your tour. you know, like you said, you know, you can easily get lost in the Medina. It's, it's the largest square in, Africa.

Um, so, having a local guide Very important for the tour. So, and then, like you said, they take care of the communication for you. They take care of everything from A to Z, all the plane, you know, we were very fortunate. even with the weather, it's because it was one city.

Because we didn't have to change, you know, from city to city. Then we had to cancel reservations at hotels, [00:21:00] Ord. you know, being in one city was perfect for us in terms of the logistics and, and that's one thing that a lot of people when they travel, they don't see what's behind the scene, but you had a chance to see what's behind the scene and, and how things really go.

It's, it's on the fly. It's right there. You have somebody with you was, you know, assigned to you 24 7. If it was not, not, it would've been on somebody else. But then there's always somebody, you know, I may not get in touch with you, but I'm aware. Of everything that is happening. You know me, we stay in contact on a daily basis and say, Hey, you know what, what happened?

Oh, you know what? We had to cancel a gfi, or, you know what, maybe a GFI will probably be back in the picture. We're still working on it. So, but, you know, that's what makes it fun. You know, the back and forth and the back and forth and, it's an amazing, uh, amazing experience at the end. 

KYLE ELIZABETH FREEMAN: also Azdean, I wanted to say as a, as a someone traveling solo. Honestly, I think Nora made all the difference for my trip because we, we became friends, you know, and like I felt like I had a friend in rock [00:22:00] in addition to the other friend of a friend who I had there. it just felt, I was afraid I was gonna have a lot of loneliness and like, you know, but no, and I just had so much fun together.

Like we laughed a lot and just had so much to chat about. So I just really recommend it for someone who's traveling solo. I never would've known that that's how that goes. 

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Yes. And I, you know, it's so funny because I, you know, we, we talk about solo travelers all the time, but I always say, even though when you're traveling by yourself, you're not alone.

KYLE ELIZABETH FREEMAN: yeah. Yeah, that's how I felt.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: yeah. There's always somebody with you, you know, either your local guide for a few hours, maybe half a day, maybe full day. But then you have, you know, your current driver are available to you all the time, and we don't put a limit on the current driver and say, Hey, you know, eight in the morning to 8:00 PM No, it stays open because we know, you know, it's, you know, things can happen. So,

KYLE ELIZABETH FREEMAN: There might be an Africa World Cup game.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Yes. Yeah. So I'm so glad to hear that, and I always tell a lot of travelers that, you [00:23:00] know. The most difficult part about being in Morocco is leaving Morocco because it's really, really hard to say goodbye and, you know, not knowing whether you're gonna see that person again or not. But you know, you know, you have, you have a friends, at that location that Syria or that or that country.

So how was it for you, Kyle?

KYLE ELIZABETH FREEMAN: Oh, I felt very sad to leave. I was very sad to leave, and when I got home, I felt sad for a few days instead of being just like, excited when this trip. I just felt like, oh, life is so boring when you're not in Marrakesh. That's what I felt like, where's, you know, where's the fun, where's the excitement?

so I do think about going back. I, I, you know, I, I do know now that. For me, traveling over Christmas is the way to, to handle my holiday blues. It totally changed it. I was just like, not even thinking about the fact that it was the holidays. I was just having this amazing time. and I do think about like next year, do I wanna go back to Morocco and go to the Sahara,

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Oh yeah.

KYLE ELIZABETH FREEMAN: go to go to Essaouira, go, you know, do, do the travel [00:24:00] around thing.

Now that I've done the Marrakesh thing, 

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Absolutely. Absolutely.

KYLE ELIZABETH FREEMAN: I do think about that. I have to decide, is it, is it Morocco or did it go someplace totally new, you know? Yeah.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: would say check. Check with your brothers.

KYLE ELIZABETH FREEMAN: Yeah.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: They'll let you know. Go back to Morocco.

KYLE ELIZABETH FREEMAN: It's, no, but 

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: It's so much fun. 

KYLE ELIZABETH FREEMAN: I just wanna say like one of the things I was so struck about Moroccan people, it was just the kindness. Like this is a small example. The roads are crazy, as you know, but like there was this one time when. Uh, Noor, just like let a scooter go or something, or like, and the scoot, the guy in the scooter just like put his hand on his heart, just like pointed at Norra to say thank you.

And like, the way men are in Morocco is so different than men in this country, like hugging and kissing and affectionate and loving and with each other and seeing women on scooter. You know, it changed what I thought about like women in Arab countries, [00:25:00] what they can do and what, you know, like. It's just you, you, it's a, you all are lovely people.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Thank you, thank you, thank you. yeah, it's a little different culture. Um, you know, and women in Morocco are, are incredibly powerful. And you'll see their power, especially when you go to the mountains, when you go to the villages, they are everything.

Trust me,

KYLE ELIZABETH FREEMAN: yes, yes. It 

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: the men are just tourists, but the the wives, they just, they hold everything together and they do everything. So, and I feel that that's, that's something that not a lot of people talk about. Not a lot of people acknowledge. But, So then when you look at the government, there's, there's a lot of women that have really, uh, really good and high positions in the government. So,

in that regards to women in Morocco, they're really, really, doing well

KYLE ELIZABETH FREEMAN: Yeah, like I, like I saw women on scooter like just hang, you know what I mean? Just like, yeah. The women seemed very strong, like really present and strong.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Absolutely. [00:26:00] Absolutely. So as we get close to the, to the end of, uh, this incredible episode, Kyle, I'm very grateful for your time. Is there something that I should have asked you but I didn't or forgot to ask you, please?

KYLE ELIZABETH FREEMAN: I mean, I think the only thing I will say is like, my trip felt like such a balance of all the things I wanted to get from it. You know, there was art and shopping and culture and food, and it was just like a really beautiful balance. So you guys did a great job. Um, and I'm just very, very grateful that I get to meet you and nor, 

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Thank you. Thank you. We feel the same way. We, we are very grateful for you. and I always tell people, you know, if you go into Morocco, you're gonna have a lot of fun. Uh, if you go with us, you know, it's, it's a privilege. And that's how we, we see it all the time.

We, we love the country. Uh, I believe we are really good ambassadors to Morocco.

and the tourism in Morocco is changing. house in the, the African cup of nation is not a small task. we have other events that are big. [00:27:00] The biggest one is in 2030, which is the World Cup again, which is just massive. So

it's gonna 

be Morocco, Spain, and Portugal. And, you know, you know, we are talking about security and checkpoints. You know, that's something that you see, even within the city that are checkpoints everywhere you go. Then when you go outside, for example, you, you went to Emil, you see the checkpoints between a city and a village, three or four checkpoints, uh, because they, you know, the police, the government, they're on top of everything. So, and they're aware, so.

KYLE ELIZABETH FREEMAN: Yep.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: any advice that you have for solo travelers? Kyle or female travelers going to Morocco for the first time thinking about, it's like, oh, I don't, oh, it's in Africa. It's a Muslim country. It's a foreign country, you know? Um, I'm really scared.

Do I need to, to dress up, you know, like in a veil or cover myself up? What would you tell somebody,

KYLE ELIZABETH FREEMAN: I would say Marrakesh and Marrakech I know, I can't speak for all of Morocco. Marrakech is a perfectly safe, comfortable place for a Western woman. Like [00:28:00] it, I felt safe. and the other thing that was really cool for me, and to speak to the Muslim part of it, I, you know, I hadn't spent time in a Muslim country before.

And, hearing the call to prayer five times a day was so beautiful. and, you know, certain people in the shop, some people in the shops would close down for prayer time, some people would not. But just for all the reasons you're saying, foreign, Muslim, Arabic. That's what made it a really magical trip, is that it was so different from where I'm from and that made it extra special.

I, I can't recommend solo travel for women enough. I, 

it's 

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: you. I'm so, I'm so glad to hear that. Thank you. Thank you. Now we, we almost covered everything and I forgot, how was your food experience? I know food is big in Morocco. How was your food experience, please, Kyle?

KYLE ELIZABETH FREEMAN: it was delicious. I will say I was extra careful. ' cause I, I know they sometimes say like, don't eat the raw salads as a, as a traveler. And I was pretty careful. but that doesn't mean I [00:29:00] still didn't get to really enjoy, like to, I fell in love with Taouz. I had so many delicious Taouz and couscous and the food was amazing.

It was so, 

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: so, so glad to hear that. 

KYLE ELIZABETH FREEMAN: Yeah. 

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Yeah. Now I just remember did you get a chance to have a little bit of nightlife in Marrakech? Did you get a chance to experience it? I totally forgot about that.

KYLE ELIZABETH FREEMAN: Yeah. Yeah, I, well, one time, this was really funny, my friend Fat who was there, one night she texted and said, me and this other, this other friend tale we're gonna go at 11 o'clock for dinner in a show. And I was with, no, when this text came in, I was like, 11 o'clock, that's really late.

And he's like, you're going like, because they had like belly dancing and so that, I can't remember the name of the place. Um, I could find out. So that was amazing. And then we went to that restaurant that you guys had on the itinerary, what was it? Uh, facia.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: The first year. Yes. Yeah.

KYLE ELIZABETH FREEMAN: Facia and, and that I ended up, that was another way that you guys adjusted, because I was gonna just have a [00:30:00] reservation for one.

And I said, oh, I wanna bring my other two friends with me. So we made the reservation for three and I got to share that experience with them. oh and oh, and I went to a Gnawaa, uh, concert. So, yeah, I really, I really took, I took part and, and I'm going this Saturday in Boston. I'm going to a Gnawa. 

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: a, oh my goodness. Oh my gosh. 

KYLE ELIZABETH FREEMAN: I can't remember who the musician is right now, but that, I'm gonna go to that. So.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: you know, it's gawa music. it's really, really addictive. Uh, for a lot of people it's, I remember when I went to Riad for, for Gnawa, a small festival, very private, and you know, we grew up listening to Gnawa music and it's like, oh, okay, yeah, yeah, yeah. Gnawa. But then when I went and I was like, oh, hold on, hold on.

What's, what's happening? You really get into it

and then it becomes kind of, you know, spiritual, then it gets kind of wild, crazy fun. and I loved every second of it, so it's just, it is, it's really, really magical if you have a chance to, to experience [00:31:00] it,

KYLE ELIZABETH FREEMAN: Perfect.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Excellent. Oh, thank you so much. I really, really appreciate you sharing your story with us and the audience today. super grateful for your time. Thank you so much for being guest on the podcast. Have a wonderful day. Thank you.

Are you looking for a personalized Moroccan experience? MEbA and welcome to Destinations Morocco. I am your host, Azdean Elmoustaquim. Our family run company crafts private and small group tours to my beautiful homeland. We encourage you to choose your own adventure. Let us know what you would like to see, what you would like to do, and how we would like to experience it.

We put together a tour based on your interests and priorities. The podcast is here to help you find ideas and inspirations. Let us plan your perfect Morocco tour. Schedule a free 30 minute discovery. Call [00:32:00] today@destinationsmorocco.com.