Visiting Morocco; Do's & Dont's and Where to go

Thinking about visiting Morocco but unsure about visiting an Arabic country? I get asked all the time what is Morocco like and do I advise it? Well it's an experience. And a cultured one at that! If your looking to go for a few drinks every night on the strip like in the Costa del Sol and have a chinese/pizza for your dinner- then unfortunately Morocco isn't for you (though you can find a mean pizza in Casa!). It's an African-Arabic country with many muslims present and the people of Morocco certainly lead a different life to one we might have in Europe. However, if your up for something different and keen to learn about different cultures, then go for it and book right away...the people of Morocco are super hospitable (I know I am half Moroccan, so slight bias, but I really do mean it!), it's a cheap vacation, plus you visiting Africa in a 3.5 hour plane journey!



Don't- expect to be drunk every night. Firstly, alcohol is VERY expensive in Morocco. Secondly, it's a Muslim country- be respectful of the rules and customs and don't treat your evening out like a session in Coppers!(Tip- Ryanair do sell Duty free <1 litre of spirits are €12! So stock up for those who can't part way with their booze for more then a week!) 

Don't- come if you want a party holiday. Go to Ibiza or Salou!

Don't- dress like your on the pull! While Morocco isn't as strict as some of the middle east countries, they do expect women to dress sensibly. I will still wear levi shorts, but maybe with a kimono! The way I see it, if you dress like your looking for attention...you'll get it!

Don't- book any old Sahara trip- some will result in you being stuck in a poorly ac'd jeep for 48 hours- nightmare! Do your research!

Don't- dive into the fruits and veggies all at once- otherwise you will spend your hols on the loo!

Don't- be put off by other people's experience. Some of my friends have loved holidaying in Morocco, some of my friends have hated it! It's a (cheap!) weekend away (ryanair fly thurs + sun), so try it out for yourself!

Do- avoid Holiday/religious events- don't go during Ramadan or Eid (even if it's cheap!- a lot of places are closed, structures of the day are altered and it will be very very busy!)

Do- make an effort with the language. Moroccan's love if you can say a few words like 'hello' (pronounced- sala-mala-cum), 'thank-you' (pronounced- shuur-cran) and please (pronounced- affeck. Morocco's second language is also French- so if you done all right in your Junior and can count to ten still, you'll be grand! Plus, broken english is spoken everywhere!

Do- barter. Especially in the markets. If you look like a tourist- your items value will be hiked up immediately. And big smiles if it's going no where.

Do- try all the food. There is nothing in the Moroccan cuisine that I don't like except maybe the snail soup (gross right?!). Don't go over looking for food you can eat at home- that's so boring...live a little!

Do- avoid giving money to EVERY beggar on the street- some have nailed the 'walking with a limp' to a fine tee!

Do- EMBRACE a CULTURAL EXPERIENCE. Arabic countries are so stigmatised in the press and with the recent terror attacks in Tunisia- tourism is dwindling. Personally, I think the only way to fight the evil is with a united front!Now where's my passport...



Where to visit:

Where to go- Marrakesh for the novice. It's perfect place for tourists that have never ventured outside Europe or America, Ryanair fly from Dublin for under €200 and it's very very safe. Tourism is a big part of the Marrakech community so they rely heavily on a safe environment for visitors. 
- Stay in a traditional Riad (old style houses where the centre of the house is a courtyard- the French have bought many of the Riads in Morocco and converted them into super chic boutique hotels or large homes- check out this cute riad here at Airbnb) or in my case, I like to live it up on holidays so La Mamounia (the art deco meets moroccan interior is so dreamy...) and Sofitel  (feast on the yummiest breakfast ever!) would be my favourite Hotels. 
- Visit the Majorelle Gardens (avoid lunch time!) designed by YSL himself, the souks and medina for trinkets, spices and rugs (if you have the luggage space!), and Jemaa el fna (recommended at night time!) where it's one big party full of henna artists, snake charmers and general hustlers. If you can take a day trip up to the Atlas mountains- especially Eureka- it's beautiful- bring appropriate footwear to make it to the waterfall! Food is cheap but flavourful- eat traditonal cous-cous, have brochettes or Kofta or enjoy a simple of Morocco's most loved soup- Harrira! Avoid Summer months- as temp has known to hit the high 40's- April/May is beautiful time to visit and not so busy!

Where to go- Essaouria for the more traveled. It's a fishing town, with fantastic weather all year round and a super laid back feel. You'll need to travel by bus to get to here and that's why I wouldn't recommend it to the novice traveller. If your not used to the hustle and bustle of lets say transport in Asia, you'll find this difficult. However, once you do get there- stay in The Heure-Bleue for luxury or Dar Afram for the back packer! Get into the water and go surfing, experience a hammamm (traditional moroccan steam rooms) or check out the funky architecture/artwork scattered all around the town. Knowledge is key when travelling around Morocco, things like travel tickets etc need to be often bought in advance. Lonely Planet have a great guide one what to do and some hidden gems too that I know i'll regret giving away...

Other places to visit- Tangier, Fez and Rabat...


My loves in Morocco- Mint tea, Figs, Argan oil and...the Sun!


Happy Travels! x

Azemmour

During my two weeks in Morocco this year, we took a short day trip to a once Portuguese ruled town called Azemmour, located exactly between Casablanca and El Jadida. Generally, holidays in Morocco are family based. Being half Moroccan, I spend a lot of time with my dads side of the family catching up and there isn't much time spent being a tourist- so this trip to this coastal town was especially refreshing.

We spent hours walking around the medina and kasbah- and because the town is a little of the beaten track, it's actually quite a sedate place to be. The Portuguese ruled this part of Morocco for some time and there is a fantastic mix of both countries architecture in the town.

There also seemed to be a huge amount of art work (urban + contemporary style) on the walls of the city which is rare to find in Morocco- I am not too sure if there was an art exhibition or if there was a group of artists who were practicing their trade for a few months, but it was such an added bonus for the day trip.

I am in the middle of doing up a Visit Morocco post and the do's and dont's as I seem to get a lot of questions asking me about Morocco- so that should be up soon!

I am off to China (Beijing) and Dubai this Sunday and sooo looking forward to visiting Asia and the Middle East for the very first time. If anyone has any recommendations please let me know?

Yas x

How stunning does my younger sister Grace look?

Outfits in Morocco for me are generally very understated and casual- I went for a (typical!) Monochrome look of black culottes from Pennys/Primark, my trusty Birkenstocks- yes they are jesus shoes (Amazon), a white tee from New Look and my beloved AW bag (NETAPORTER).

Summer Vacay Reads

I used to always have a book in my hand growing up. Libraries in my area in London were full to the brim of quality authors and titles- I guess I took it for granted. I would take 4-5 books out at a time and become engrossed in them. When I moved to Meath, we didn't have a local library, and the schools version of one, consisted of two shabby shelves that was supposed to cater a 1000+ student school. It was a disgrace. I then started to work more, and college took over and would only read when I was on a Summer holiday- and even then, travelling with Ryanair would mean I was so restricted on weight- that a heavy book was left behind in favour of another bikini!!!

I feel like I have lost a bit of my creativeness and imagination over the last few years, so I purchased four books from Amazon recently that I hope will fuel it back. Books allow you to get lost between the pages- and I'm quite looking forward to switching off from everything else around me.  I'm off work for the next five weeks (yey...joys of being a teacher!) and will bring two books each on the two holidays I am going on; Morocco with the family and Beijing/Dubai with friends. 

My Summer Vacay Reads;

'How to build a girl' by Caitlin Moran- a coming of age tell and a Sunday Times No.1 bestseller...I have heard good things about this book, so I am stoked to read it.

'The Rosie Project' by Graeme Simsion- a love story.

'The Collected Dorothy Parker' by Dorothy Parker- a collection of short stories, poetry and reviews written by Ms Parker (who I am rather embarrassed to admit had never heard of...) who was referenced by one of my favourite blogger- Audrey Rogers of 'Be Frassy' in one of her Instagram posts and I done a little bit of research and this seemed like a good book as it has collection of a bit of everything!

'The Girl with all the Gifts' by M.R.Carey- a thriller.

What's your favourite genre? Any books that you would highly recommend? I sort of read everything so would love to hear some good suggestions?

Florals and Fun

To celebrate the end of the stage school year yesterday, here is a little outfit of the day I whipped up before my Dublin date with my sister Grace. We went to our favourite sushi restaurant in Dublin to celebrate- Musashi on Capel Street (get the Ebi Tempura Masago rolls!)- it was her treat...luck me eh?! and we then went to Brother Hubbard for cake and coffee and their takeout iced tea. I popped into Folkster and bought a lovely pair of Indian Rose coloured culottes that I can't wait to wear on holidays in August and added these pair of Air Max 90's from Size? to my collection. I live in trainers, and having worked in Size? for over six years, biasedly, I still think the shop does the best collection of trainers in Ireland.

I am wearing a Zara waistcoat that I got in the recent Summer sale (similar here and here) || these Binx jeans from Topshop- I usually buy Joni, however these have more of a relaxed feel but are still high waisted || Nike AM 90 in black croc, similar here and here || this crepe tank top that I also got in the sale || a Michael Kors watch that was a gift- similar here || a beautiful bunch of pink flowers that I received from one of my students and had to accessorise with...(so lucky!)

Hope your all having a lovely Sunday, x

Confessions of a not so normal 20 something year old...

I always thought when I was younger that I would be this go-getter, travelling all around the world, un-stoppable, flamboyant female. Un-restricted and ballsy. Daring, but charming. Instead, I am writing this from my parents house, where I still live, in the converted attic, with a cornish pasty for dinner, and about to watch an episode of PLL's on Netflix...on a Friday night!

I am a self proclaimed dry shite. And love nothing more then coming home from classes, putting on my pjs and sprawling in front of the TV. But I have had this irking voice in my head the last while that says, 'Yas, what the hell are you doing with your life?!'. I picture a trapped bohemian clad version of me tutting at my lack of excitement in my life.

Your 20's are supposed to be about learning and growing. Making mistakes and having fun. Meeting new people and not taking life too seriously. Well I do. I take life beyond seriously. Planning and deciphering ways to be prosperous with work- I am totally goal focused, and while my close friends and family say that one of my best qualities is being a high-achiever. I also think this quality has become a total hinderance. I have totally neglected my social life- going out very rarely, cutting nights short for the fear of not being fully energised for my next days work. I am a worrier. I'm never spur crazy. To sum me up- I am the total opposite of most 26 year olds that I know.

I don't know why I am like this. I'm not a total recluse- I do occasionally see friends, meet for brunch, go for dinner and make random plans but plainly, I love my own company. I like being alone. I read a lovely post by one of my favourite bloggers- Audrey Rogers from BeFrassy, who also spoke about her favourite company being her own, teaching herself how to carry the weights of the world on her own and learning how to enjoy it. She ended her post by asking her readers to 'find your own sacrosanct spots on this earth- and return to both with cyclical devotion'. Is my sacrosanct spot my bed linen and a glass of Pinot Grigio? God I hope not...

Sex and the City, Gossip Girl and endless insta moments have dictated what I, as a 26 year old should be doing at this moment in time. I now have this looming fear that I'm going to wake up one day when I am older and say why was I not more free? It's not a case of choosing my current actions. Doing me is all I know?! 

As my work load starts to free up a bit more around summer, I do admittedly start to see more people- I make plans, have holidays booked and generally tend to loosen up a bit, but I know right when the academic year starts back, I'm going to dart right back into hole of hibernation...unashamedly.

D-Day...

Firstly, are YOU registered? Follow this link here and enter your details. Your not? Then this Tuesday (5th of May people!) is the last day to get your RFA2 forms...found here should you not be already registered. Print off the form, get your local guard to stamp the form and pop to the Post Office and send by express post to your local authority office...just to be on the safe side!

We live in a country where we have the opportunity to exercise our right to vote. How lucky are we?! And this referendum is an especially important one because it will show how progressive Ireland has come in achieving EQUALITY throughout the Emerald Isle. It wasn't so long ago the people of Ireland faced countless forms of discrimination in their migration journeys. Why would we now set the bar in this country where people are not equal?

Civil Partnership is not enough. There is no constitutional protection. Marriage gives that. Let's put an end to this discrimination and make OUR country a pro-equality place of love.

Sleeve-less Me Up!

Sleeveless jackets are my new favourite thing to dress up an outfit! Be it a duster, a waistcoat or a gilet. I think they are even topping a kimono...which is a big deal for me, as I love nothing more then a ankle length hocus pocus shawl (as my mum likes to call them!) You can throw them over a pair of jeans and a tee and your outfit is instantly updated! 

I recently bought this coral number in Topshop and loving the duster loose feel to it.

Below,  are my top pics from my two High Street favourites- Topshop and Zara- which ones are going in your basket?

1. Leather fringed waistcoat (obsessed, totally coachella-esque and so reasonable!)- Zara 

2. Long waistcoat- Zara

3. Sleeveless Ponte Jacket- Topshop (I actually have this one in grey, and its in a really comfy jersey material- and they also have it in a rust colour which would look awesome with a tan)

4. Premium Belted Jacket - Topshop 

5. Ok...so this one isn't High Street, but can we take a moment to appreciate this Isabel Marant number. Hey, it's all about goals right?! Cadiz feather and faux raffia vest by Isabel Marant- Netaporter