From the Aiport to Medina

Upon leaving the airport and prior to hopping on the travel bus, it was time to meet the ISA representative who would be guiding us throughout Morocco. Having the ISA representative was a huge confidence bonus for me because I knew if I had any questions about Morocco and homestay family, he was the guy I could reach out to. Once everyone’s luggages was stored on the bus at 2:30 PM, we were ready to head to our hotel, Hotel Diwane.

On the way to Hotel Diwane, the landscape of Marrakech was stunning. The majority of the businesses and homes are made out of clay, and learning this fact on why it is called the ‘Red City’ from our ISA representative, I see why Marrakech received the notorious title. The most notable aspect of Morocco while on the bus was the complex traffic. People were swerving in and out of lanes to go around other vehicles, even driving in oncoming traffic, and the constant honking of horns played through my eardrums. I was immensely shocked at how this is a part of Marrakesh’s everyday life, and more shocked at how calm the Moroccan citizens were while driving like this. I had a gut wrenching fear we would get into an accident, but we safely made it to Hotel Diwane at 3:10 PM. 

On the bus watching extreme traffic in Marrakech! May 2025

I remember viewing pictures of this hotel and seeing the beauty within its structures, but to see it in person was an experience on another level. The magnificent walls and tall ceilings did not allow my eyes to rest once, as there was too much to look at. Although I have seen art like this before in past classes, it was exhilarating to be in the moment with the amount of colors and style in building I never experience on a day to day basis. The look of my fellow global leaders all had that look of amazement like Hotel Diwane was all of the stars in the night sky bound into one. It was such a great experience to meet the staff of the hotel as everyone is super friendly and accustomed to multiple languages of which I am not used to speaking more than one language like French, Spanish, and Darija. Thankfully, our ISA representative was able to get us checked in and up to our rooms around 3:40 PM. 

Hotel Diwane showing us its gorgeous interior, May 2025

Around 6 PM is when I would truly immerse myself in Moroccan life. Our study abroad group headed to this area in Marrakech called the Medina, which is filled with shops, food stands and restaurants. The Medina was highly attractive with pleasant sounds of Moroccan music and languages I have never heard of. There were instruments that I saw that I could not even name! I can say I did feel like an outsider because people around me are saying things that I have no idea what it could be, but it was a good feeling to experience something new to me. It was a great learning experience to see how life in Marrakech, Morocco thrives and the cultural stone that it serves within Medina, and after this I knew that the journey ahead would provide much more to come. 

Me enjoying Medina's live cultural area and dinner with Horizons Study Abroad, May 2025

Signing off for now,

Rilynd B.