This latest journey began a couple of years ago when my Italian teacher traveled to Morocco and started posting colorful photos—fragrant spice markets, vibrant towns, and camels walking against desert backdrops. Even the names—Marrakesh, Casablanca, Tangier—sounded wonderfully exotic to me.
After our EF Go Ahead trip to Vietnam and Cambodia, I started planning a trip to Morocco and Portugal. The amazing tour company arranged all the logistics—flights, hotels, meals, guides, and local experiences—but I chose the destinations and helped shape what we would do.
Nineteen of my good friends signed up to come along, and my son-in-law Matt was eager to join us too. Originally my daughter Molly was going to come as well, but it didn’t quite work out. I’m a little sad about that. I would have loved to travel with Molly.
Still, it’s an amazing group of people—super fun, a little snarky, but very kind.
Getting here was the easiest travel day I’ve ever had. There was no traffic going to LAX this morning. Even though the TSA agents aren’t getting paid because of the partial government shutdown, there were no long lines at security and we had plenty of time to make our flight.
Now we’re in Marrakesh, and it already feels wonderfully exotic—interesting architecture, warm air, and palm trees everywhere. We’re staying in a beautiful hotel, and it’s a little surreal to realize that after all the planning, we’re actually here.
The adventure has officially begun.
Marsh Travels 
You are again in a part of the world I have been not been able to get to. Almost took the boat across the straights from Spain, but things happened and we didn’t make it. If my memory is correct, the weather prevented us.
Fascinating part of the world. I too have always been intrigued by the colors, spices and arched architecture.
Keep blogging my friend. ________________________________
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