Just NB

*My posts will at least be a day behind. I'll have to go back and add some pictures for this day, it was incredible.* There were a bunch of incredibly timed events and situations that randomly occured so that I could be here. I can't get over how grateful I am for that. While I feel like my heart breaks more every day, I also I feel so incredibly blessed. And...incredibly judged. I don't beleive in divorce, yet I'm going through one. I keep thinking if I explain more, maybe people won't think less of me, but what I really have to learn, is that it doesn't matter what people think of me, before or after this event. Urgh. Enough sad talk. Today we hung around the pool, our rooms, I went to the gym for a bit, and then met up with a driver to drove us into the Sahara Desert. We hung out at a hotel for a bit and then went out where there were three camels tied together in a line. Wowsa, camels are really, really tall. Actually, these aren't camels because t...

Today we are going to chillax around the pool, and then around 4pm, we take a 4x4 into the Sahara desert and then we need to take a camel to get to the last part of our destination. We'll be sleeping in tents. I think this is awesome. We'll spend the night and then come back here to Ermoud (I don't know if I'm spelling that right), and then head onto Marrakesh. So. I've debated and thought about this next part for far too long, and I feel like it's kind of hanging over me. So, currently, Louis is in Canada on vacation. Currently, I am in Morocco on vacation, with very close friends. Y'all can figure it out I'm sure. It's a very tough situation to deal with, for both of us. It's pointless to go into any explanation as to what happened, why did it happen, blah blah blah, because, in my opinion, no one has a true idea of what a marriage is like except for the two people involved. I'm devastated and shaken from this event, and I'm focusin...

Today was A LOT of driving! Starting at nine thirty, we drove through the beginnings of the Atlas Mountains, stopping in a small town built by the French in the 20th century to resemble Switzerland. We had coffee, drove for another few hours where we had lunch (I ate camel, but only a small bite!) and then walked around a small national park where they had Berber or Barber monkeys. They were quite used to people, I was taking pictures of the  babies in the trees, and wasn't paying attention and turned around and there was one standing right behind me! They kind of look like smaller, less ugly baboons, and seemed a lot less meaner.  It's warm and I want to drink gallons of water, but as its basically an all day driving affair, that tendency becomes quite inconvenient. We one unplanned stop so far (for my lack of camel-ness) and I got stuck in the bathroom! The door was broken and no one heard me banging to get out! Finally someone heard me knocking and the driver said that ...

Days are busy and Internet is limited :). I'm not sure what I expected from Morocco, but it is amazing.  I love spending time with the Skillens and this trip comes at a perfect time. I'll be continuing on with them until September 4th, and then we'll fly to the Gran Canary Island after that (for a super cheap flight of like $68, so...lets hope I get there safe!!) for a few days!! I can't wait to post pictures, this place is inexplicable. Off to the desert tomorrow!

Well, it was a freakin shit show to get here, but I made it.  I'm having a harder time here, I don't think I would ever vacation in Casablanca. I just can't get my head around this place! I think most people go to Fes or Marrakech.  I'm far too timid here, uncertain of how my status as a woman should or should not change the way that I behave. I'm respectful with my dress, but I'm not brave enough to be as aggressive as one generally needs to be as a traveller in Africa. I think I'll be more confident when Allen and Silvia get here.  Apparently this is a super hard place to find, because my taxi driver had to consult with at least 9 people, all the while never knowing where to go. It all seemed like a bad dream and then I got here.  Air conditioning, friendly, welcoming staff, mint tea on arrival, and a plate of fruit and cookies. I think this is pretty standard fare in a lot of hotels, but after the day I had yesterday, it just made everything better.  I...

This blog post is part typed, part written, because I was too chicken to bring in iPhone with me, because I've read FAR too much about pickpocketing and I'm being a spazz.   Well, I did it.       (I always like it when my water is safe for babies!)   (The view from my lounger) Scarf: $3.33 ARDENE White shirt: $11.99 FOREVER 21 Tank Top: $5 OLD NAVY Skirt: $10 SIRENS Purse: $8 WALMART Sandals: $59.99 (50% off) BROWNS Bracelets: $3.33 each ARDENE (The blog that we read usually has a full spread of provocative poses, with outfits costing hundreds or thousands of dollars. I've always wanted to do an outfit post like I've read...since I wear ridiculously cheap crap :P). (And yes, I feel way, way, way too old when I into Ardene, Sirens, or Forever 21).   Well, the taxi driver picked me up on schedule. I asked him to stop at a bank and for some water. So he stopped in the middle of the road (cause t...

Whooaaa, newbe travelller issues today. Today, I kinda forgot everything that I learned from my travels. I got a luggage cart myself (in Madagascar, this can be a near aggressive accomplishment), got my luggage without a problem, and then went to the ATM to get some money. Problem: I hadn't even looked up the currency conversion. I tried to crane my neck to a sign at a currency conversion place and saw that it was around 8 Dirham per Canadian dollar. Problem: I can't do math in my head. I took what I thought was enough, I wasn't sure what it would look like outside as far as safety issues (I've only read some sections about carrying money, and in some busier parts, you don't carry much at all. This doesn't apply to the ENTIRE COUNTRY, but I was a little out of it), so I didn't take the usual max that I normally do. After a few men ask me if I need help, a younger man, dressed in what I would think a taxi driver would wear, asked me if I need a taxi. ...