PACKING FOR MOROCCO

Hey guys....  Somebody asked me what I packed in my carryon bag for 6 days of travel!  I did not want to have to check my bag in case it got lost...so of course I was very careful about what went in and kept editing until it all fit.  I stuffed things in my shoes and rolled everything to get it all to fit in.

So first of all I have this suitcase by Travelpro

It's your basic 21" spinner carry on.  But I also found the small bag below at Target and it was great for my makeup, reading material, purse etc....

It has a little zipper compartment on the bottom which I put my PJ's in.

So...I had 2 things to attend while I was there....a dinner and the marriage celebration.

It wasn't real dressy so for dinner  I mixed this very lightweight BCBG jacket with white jeans and a cami with a built in bra.  It was perfect.  The weather was 66-70 during the day but cooler at night.

For the celebration [they had actually already gotten married in Atlanta] as this was not a religious ceremony for those of you thinking why  wasn't I arrested for my racy top....I wore the outfit above.  The top is from BCBG and the scarf was from Zara.  It was all very lightweight and easy to pack.

As far as putting things together...well what did you expect from me....all basics!  Jeans, white jeans, black shoes....

I had this lightweight stripe scarf/coverup which worked perfectly.  It was actually warmer that day so I wore it as a scarf.  I wore my hat everyday to keep the sun off my face and to hide my unfixed hair....haha

On the cooler day I wore my black J Crew Juliette sweater with leggings and a long sleeve white T.

I look like a wrinkled mess here!

I can honestly say I took just enough and wore everything I brought....mixing it up with the white jeans...a white t shirt and throwing on the jean shirt.

The trick is to be able to layer....but you guys know that right?  Basically this is the way I dress on a daily basis.

OK.....there you go....travel tips from Sherry although it might be a while before I jump on a plane and head out on a long trip....

Shaynoexpert

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MY TRIP TO MOROCCO

As promised some details about my trip to Morocco.  Like I said....we went there for the marriage celebration of my stepson and his wife.  He is moving there for a few years as she has relocated for work.  

So....here is where I went wrong right from the get go.  Making my reservations with Delta [I actually called them....I know "old school" right!] because I wanted to go comfort plus....not because I'm spoiled but y'all the thought of being squeezed in the middle row for 8 hours gave me angst.  Well calling was a good idea because I was able to purchase the comfort plus and then upgrade to FC using my points [240,000 points for both of us].

That was only from Atlanta to Paris and then coach from Paris to Casablanca which I could handle.  AND.....

I did not really pay attention to the times the flights left.  So I made it for 6 days instead of 7 thinking that if I left on one day it would be a day later when I got home.  WRONG. 

The moral of this story is that I stick to decorating and NOT get involved in making reservations.  Are you are scratching your head thinking "girl this isn't rocket science".....but apparently to me it is.

First problem....the flight left Atlanta at 11 pm on Wednesday night.  Yes....which means that I lost a

whole day!  Got to Casablanca at 6:30 pm on Thursday. 

Then here is where it gets yanky.  I made my reservations to come home on Tuesday.  Can you do the math?  Yes....I am there 4 days.  WTH....all the way to Morocco for 4 days.  It makes no sense.

In Casablanca we toured the 3rd largest Mosque in the world....

Now you see why you do not want me to get involved with your travel details?

Another thing I learned is this.....remember when I said I was a grouchy traveler?  Well it appears my husband gets even more crabby than I do.  Just saying.

The Hotel:

It was new, clean with a spa, fitness room and they were very accommodating  but a little out of the way as far as food is concerned. 

Meaning they served breakfast but after that your choice was Pringles or Dove Bars.

Slight Problema.  Or not:)

Ocean Park Appart Hotel

The first day was breakfast at one of the oldest places in Casablanca.

  

Can you see the bee eating the honey?  Yeah....there were like 5 there in a jiffy!

Oh yeah here's a funny for ya.  I made the statement about how it seemed that the houses were all white and somebody said...."duh Sherry"  Casa [home] Blanca [white].  

So alright I'm not the sharpest tool....but then I was in love with Casablanca!  

I also learned that all the houses in Marrakesh were "terracotta" and they were!  You can't get a building permit unless you paint it that color.

Friday night was a big dinner to meet the family at this great restaurant called Mercat which I really liked!  This place gets going around 11.....how do I know?  

Because we were still there...having just eaten...haha. 

The wedding....it was so fun!  Lot's of music and tradition...

And as it is with all.....but weddings in the USA..... it was still going strong at 2:30 AM when we left!  

We were up the next morning to leave at 7:30 for a day trip to Marrakesh which is about a 3 hour drive.

And yes they do have snakes!

We left there around 7 and hit traffic so it took us over 4 hours to get back to the hotel and then we were up at 6:00 to do it again.....leaving for a day trip to Fes which is the oldest colonial city of Morocco.

 Lunch....I have to say I wasn't really a fan of the food.....kind of spicy!

We left Fes and hit Volubilis which is a partly excavated Berber City situated near the town of Meknes.  Not to miss.

Sunset in Meknes....as we left and headed back to Casablanca.

Got back around 11 and had to be down for the taxi to the airport at 7:30 am....so you see that we crammed as much as we could in 4 days!

Which I why 4 out of 7 of us got sick with 2 making trips to the hospital with the flu!  

You really need a guide over there and we had a driver the whole time.

The moral of the story....keep me out of the reservation process and all will be good!

I kind of feel like I went to the largest flea market in the world and only went down one isle.  So much to see and do....must go back....when I'm well...... which feels like never right now:)

OK....back to design....vacation over.

Shabacktowork

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