What happens in Fez

{adventures in Fez} 

the apartment

       

{the apartment + meknes}

I have been in Meknes for about a week now and I thought it was time to show off my Moroccan home. enjoy! 

the layout:

2   bathrooms

3   bedrooms

3   balconies 

1   set of loud neighbors

2   vivacious roommates 

1   cook named Nora 

2   doormen {both named Muhammad}

casablanca excisions

{palace in casablanca}

{detailed doorways}

{olives in the market}

{moroccan doorways}

Before we left Morocco we were taken on a tour of Casablanca. Initially we were taken to various buildings and significant sites around the area. After we visited a market where there were numerous men selling olives. However, all of us got severely sidetracked by the beauty & detail of the Moroccan doorways.

hassan II mosque

{Hassan II Mosque + Casablanca}

 Last week my study abroad group went to the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, Morocco. I decided to make another video because pictures were not able to capture the detail & grandeur of this space. Hope you like the video. Enjoy!

Casablanca

{view from Hotel Prince de Paris + Casablanca}

{my favorite concierge} 

{the beach in Casablanca}

along the way

I’ve been traveling for about a week now. In that amount of time I have met some amazing people that have ultimately enriched my traveling experience this summer. Solo traveling is possibly one of the most daunting and rewarding things I have ever done. On the one hand you are completely alone without the aid of anyone that you know. This essentially makes you vulnerable to all kinds of traveler dilemmas. However, traveling by yourself opens you up to new possibilities and ways of thinking. So, this blog entry is dedicated to those who have so far been positive influences on my travels. 

 In France 

Peyton: To one of my best friends who I had the pleasure of experiencing Paris with for the first time. #memorable moments.

Alyssa: Four years ago we went to the same summer camp together and by sheer coincidence she was studying abroad in Paris when I was visiting. Thanks for making me understand the true meaning of the term “yolo” {you. only. live. once}

Navid: Taught me that the best conversations happen in Paris between the hours of 1-5am. 

Rita: The amazing sixty-four year old Canadian women that I had dinner with in Roissey. She was also a solo traveler who was backpacking through Europe. We bonded over our agreement on the notion that the people you meet while traveling are sometimes the most impactful. 

                                      Also, special thanks to the man that randomly gave me 10 euros for taxi fare.

 The plane 

The Johnson Family: Five amazing people from Boston who were flying to Morocco for a conference. Barbra and I had an amazing talk during our two hour flight. Also, special thanks to her 11 year old son Jordan who kept me company with an enthralling conversation while waiting at baggage claim. 

vignette 2

{paris + film}

As my days in France slowly draw to a close, I wanted to make a video to comemerate my time in this amazing place. Over the past couple of days I have tirelessly documented all my favorite sites in Paris using video. enjoy! 

Parisian adventures

                       {creme brûlée}

{{Paris + day three}

Paris day two

{paris + second day}

                                                                         {breakfast+ the arc+eiffel tower+shakespeare and co}

My second day in Paris was amazing! It was definetley the most "tourist-y" day i've had so far. Yesterday, Peyton and I went to the top of the Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower & Notre Dame. My favorite place was undeniably Notre Dame. Being in the space was breathtaking.  It is one of those places where you just have to sit and take in the entire church. Here is a link to panoramic picture that I took of the inside and outside of the church {http://360.io/3eMfvj}& {http://360.io/7b88XH}. Enjoy!

http://360.io/7b88XH http://360.io/3eMfvj

Paris continued...

{the ritz hotel + paris}

{laduree+macaroons+paris}

{escargot}

{the view+peyton's balcony} 

Paris. [day one]

{paris}

I made it to Paris! Being here is such a surreal experience. Yesterday, my friend picked me up from the airport and we spent the rest of the day walking the city. Here are some of the pictures I took along the    way.

                                      {scenes from the Louvre & the cafe "Paul" inside of it} 

travel necessities

{what. to. pack}

Finally! it is the night before my departure to Paris. I have successfully narrowed down the contents of my carry-on. so far my necessities include... 

Camera: there is always time for impromtu photo sessions...always 

Moroccan & French phrase book: so that I can actually sound competent on my travels

Arabic textbooks & flashcards: in the end it is called "study" abroad 

ipod/ ipad/ macbook: it felt wrong not to bring the entire fleet of apple products 

wallet; passport; money [3different currencies]: obvious reasons 

extra set of clothes: in case the unthinkable happens [lost luggage]

for the explorer

{wanderlust}

When I travel I have this habit of not fully absorbing or appreciating the place I am in. So, before I go abroad this summer I thought it would be good to highlight some of my personal mantras that I want to remember during my travels. 

DIY

{sneakers} 

So, one of my current loves are sneakers. Two years ago I had an exclusive commitment to high heels, but recently a significant portion of my money has gone towards sneakers. The pictures above are a few of my personal favorites. Especially the Marimekko Converse [top left] and the high-top wedges by Marc Jacobs. 

{diy |customized converse}

In full commitment of my sneaker obsession I decided to customize a pair of all white Converse. The whole project took about 2-3 days, but I think they turned out great! For inspiration I based a lot of the design on the Converse designed by Vena Cava and Lupe Fiasco.  After getting a firm idea of what I wanted, I added a few of my own personal touches to it [ie. the logo on the tongue and the Arabic along the back of the shoes]. Overall, I think they turned out really well. Can't wait to try this on a pair of Nikes or Toms next. 

current obsession

{maxi skirts | dresses} 

One of the most daunting parts about traveling....packing! The entire task just makes me anxious and unhappy. However, in preparation for Morocco I have stocked up on my current clothing obsession, maxi dresses/skirts. I can completely see this being a versatile outfit to wear while abroad [let's hope].

images taken from pinterest.com 

summer travels

{paris | chicago | meknes}

So looking forward to three months of traveling. I start off in Chicago [for a conference]. Then visiting a friend [who is studying abroad] in Paris. The remainder of my summer is going to be spent in Morocco for my own study abroad program. Can't wait!

images taken from pinterest.com