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Amanda Shammas
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- In December, I was gifted a last-minute trip to Morocco and scrambled to pack all the essentials.
- I'm glad I brought a scarf to protect myself from the sun and wind.
- However, I wish I brought bug spray and warmer layers for when the temperatures dropped at night.
On my 23rd birthday, a family member was in Morocco, and along with a birthday text, they sent me a plane ticket to meet them. I was shocked and incredibly grateful … but I had 24 hours until the flight.
As a type B person who thrives on spontaneous travel, I treated this like a challenge and immediately ran to my room to start packing.
Here are four things I'm glad I packed, and five I wish I had brought.
Comfortable walking shoes were essential for navigating the country's terrain.
I've made enough packing mistakes on past trips that I now always make sure to bring a pair of comfortable walking shoes, regardless of the destination.
On this trip, they were an absolute must. Between wandering the winding streets of the medinas, navigating bustling markets, and tackling uneven sidewalks or sand dunes, I was so glad my feet stayed happy and supported the whole time.
I was especially glad I chose beige sneakers, so any sand blended right in and didn't leave noticeable stains.
I made sure to pack plenty of modest clothing options.
Although dress norms vary by region, I learned during my pre-trip research that modest clothing is common in many communities I'd be visiting.
So, in an attempt to respect local culture and feel more comfortable navigating the cities and markets, I packed lots of more conservative clothing options, like long skirts, shawls, and shirts that covered my shoulders.
Having local currency was helpful.
When I landed in Marrakech, it was incredibly easy to grab local currency, as there were plenty of ATMs in the airport. I took out Moroccan dirham as soon as I arrived, and it ended up being helpful to have throughout the trip.
Having local currency on hand made taking taxis seamless and shopping in the Souks — or bustling markets — so much easier, especially because many shops are cash-only.
Between small purchases, tipping, and quick rides around the city, I was glad I didn't have to think twice about having money.
My scarf came in handy on my desert excursion.
I brought multiple scarves on my trip for modesty, sun protection, and to have something to drape over my shoulders when it got cold.
My scarf really came in handy, though, on my desert excursion, as it was the perfect way to protect myself from any blowing dust. A worker even wrapped it around my head for me.
If I had more time to prepare for the trip, I definitely would've ordered a new power adapter.
Given the surprise nature of my trip, I wasn't able to order anything in advance. If I had more time, though, a power adapter would've been at the top of my list.
My hotel used type C and E sockets, and unfortunately, the one I brought with me didn't fit the outlets. Luckily, though, the front desk had a few adapters to spare.
I wish I had packed bug repellent for the late nights in the desert.
Even in a dry desert, I still encountered small bugs like flies and mosquitoes. It wasn't unbearable, but bug repellent would've been nice to have.
Next time, I'd probably opt for a bug-repellent bracelet so I could pack it without worrying about TSA liquid restrictions.
Although it was warm during the day, I wasn't prepared for how cold it would get at night.
I assumed Morocco would be mostly hot, with its blazing sun and dry desert, so I packed plenty of loose clothing and linens.
Although those were helpful during the day, I wasn't prepared for how drastically the temperature drops at night.
When I visited in December, it was warm and pleasant in the sun, but hours later, it turned surprisingly chilly. My linen clothing wasn't enough to keep me comfortable, so I should've packed a jacket or warmer layers to bundle up.
