• facebook
  • instagram
  • pinterest
  • twitter
Primary Menu
  • home.
  • hello.
  • travel.
  • map.

bloglovin

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Google+ (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)

Like this:

Like Loading...

About Me

Rachel Alford

Rachel Alford

Curmudgeonly cat lady living in the mountains of North Carolina. Occasional artist, former thespian, unwitting mathematician, constant explorer. Collects hobbies and drinks tea.

View Full Profile →

Categories

  • Nature
  • The State of the Rachel
  • Travel
  • Uncategorized

Recent Posts

  • oops, I did it again.
  • “A” for “Anxiety”
  • Away We Go
  • Mingo Falls
  • Orlando, I Love You

Instagram
🤤🤤🤤
shout out to my favourite old lady
That feel when everybody you’ve ever loved abandons you to go to Mexico. #ihopeyouseethisabigail #andihopeitmakesyousad
The streets of Fes are narrow and crooked, all sorts of doors and alcoves hiding treasures along the way, each one different from the last. The people are friendly, yet persistent, many offering the same leather camels and sets of coloured wallets, setting them on fire to show that the materials are “real.” After our haggling god managed to get our scarves, I was seeking a traditional handmade lamp. Walking into a shop, I was instantly shown what I was looking for. The price was beyond ridiculous, and I to buy it for that. We haggled, insisting on getting 75% off. When he finally obliged, i felt accomplished and called our escort over to make sure I was getting a good deal. He instantly told me to take it, and it gave me great pleasure to see the salesman begrudgingly, but playfully surrender. A friend of theirs lived in Jersey, and asked me if I was from North Carolina based on my accent alone, and showed me around the shop and the craftsmen at work. The salesman asked, as a parting gift for the pain my victory caused him, if I would kiss his cheek. I obliged. 😉 #seeracheltravel
#Morocco #seeracheltravel
Haggling is ingrained and expected in Moroccan culture; and leaving lunch early to buy scarves, we had that task set before us. At the shop we found gorgeous scarves, grabbing more and more as the salesman wrapped our heads in the traditional Moroccan style and we checked the designs. Cradling an armful, we asked how much - and it was an intentionally ridiculous amount. The three of us tried haggling without success, so we called our escort. A heated argument began, with fierce Arabic and him repeatedly grabbing my arm, telling us “we’ll go somewhere else,” only for the argument to begin once more. The three of us, clueless, were stunned when our escort finally tells us that they agreed on our asking price - a “family rate.” He’s basically a superhero. 😂 #seeracheltravel
Some foods work with your pallet - others do NOT. This is not an insult against Morocco or the chefs who prepared my food - the majority of my tour group loved their meals and found them delicious. It’s a testament to my displeasure when I resort going to McDonalds AND it’s my favourite meal of the trip. It’s me, not you Moroccan cuisine. Thanks for helping me on my weight loss journey. #seeracheltravel
Every once in a while in class, I show this math history documentary (that my students promptly ignore) that features the tanneries in Fez. So, when I bought this trip, I added said tanneries on my list of things to see. I checked it off as we filled through a door along our path. As we entered, they handed us each a sprig of mint. Which I promptly began to eat. This was not it’s purpose. We were to crush in our hand to sniff and drown out the scent of the tannery. Whatever. Here is also where I managed my first haggle, getting a purse knocked down 20%. Huzzah! #seeracheltravel #morocco🇲🇦
On our journey through the medina, we stopped at a Moroccan rug shop. Taking residence in what was once a home, it had some absolutely stunning mosaics. Drinking my mint tea of welcome, I inquired about a rug because they were unbelievably beautiful. Imagine my cats laying on it! A man escorted me upstairs into a small room. I asked for the cheapest thing they had, and he rolled out a rug the size of a bath mat and told me it was $300 dollars. Needless to say, I didn’t buy a rug. #seeracheltravel #morocco🇲🇦
Once upon a time this building was a school. It consists of 120 dorms and the children learned in the courtyard in different corners. We received a math history lesson on the origin of numbers - which I will be teaching my little cinnamon rolls. Does this mean I can write this trip off as professional development? #seeracheltravel
These are prickly pears. They’re delicious. I wouldn’t have known this if it weren’t for my Tour Manager. At 8:30 this morning I heard a rapping at my door. I had slept through at least ten separate alarms, multiple wakeup calls from reception and a string of porters knocking on my door. Had Khalid’s knocks not miraculously waken me, they were going to have to have management open the door to make sure I wasn’t dead. Rushing out, I had no time to fix my hair or make up. Near tears and full of apologies, Khalid made me have breakfast - the bus was sent on, as he refused to leave without knowing I was alive - and we’d take a taxi. I don’t embarrass easily- but I was embarrassed today as I sat in the back of a taxi with no seat belts with the insane Moroccan drivers. Khalid gave the driver 20 dirhams, refusing to let me pay him back. The bus pulled up, faces pressed against the glass, my shame on parade. They clapped as I boarded. Mama found the whole tale hilarious. 😒 #seeracheltravel

see rachel tag.

Nature The State of the Rachel Travel Uncategorized

Archives

  • March 2017
  • August 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • March 2016
  • January 2016
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • pinterest
  • twitter

Create a website or blog at WordPress.com

%d bloggers like this: