For the past year and a half, I have been planning, saving, and determined to make this trip a reality. I was  honestly afraid that with everything that tends to pop up in life, I would squander this year away and somehow miss out on this opportunity. However, this is an adventure I have been craving and dreaming about for so long, I know I would not feel right if I started grad school and the next stage of my life without pursuing this experience.

At Barnie's - working out itinerary specifics and reading travel blogs

Hence, you can imagine my exhilaration now that my flights are booked and accommodation has been decided for the most part - I've purposely left some flexibility with these! I am participating in a volunteer program abroad in Marrakech, where we will be working on projects with schools, camps, orphanages, and/or street children. The program provides a riad (traditional house with garden and courtyard) in the medina for our stay and leaves weekends open for excursions to neighbouring villages and cities. Coastal Essaouira is first up on my list! I have scribbled out a few must-sees in Marrakech such as the Koutoubia Mosque, souks (markets), various hammams (traditional steam bath houses with vigorous massages), etc. The entire afternoon after I had booked my flights, I was walking around shaking with excitement. I will be leaving in just under 2 weeks, making a stopover in London, UK for 1 day. You can bet that I will be cramming as much wandering and exploring (hello, Big Ben!) as humanly possible in those 24 hours there.
Here is the current travel book I am reading to immerse myself in the appropriate setting and mindset. The author has an intense ability to capture images, smells, and people and bring the events to life for you. Magical! As with all books that I love, I am reluctant to finish reading it because I grow attached to the characters and stories.

Stay posted on my next three missions to acquire and organize the items on my packing list, prepare an iPod playlist for the occasion, and review my rusty French.

This post is archived under Random thoughts, Travel