I’m switching things up a bit. Now that I’ve found a rhythm in Morocco, I’ll be sending out shorter updates every week or so. This way, I can share what’s on my mind for the week through stories, experiences, and lessons.

An Update Since Brazil

After Brazil, I flew to Spain for a week of rest and reflection. Granada was the perfect in-between place. It’s small, calm, and easy to love. Most of my time was spent wandering the streets, connecting with hostel friends, and unpacking experiences after seven wild months in Latin America.

If you ever find yourself in Granada, check out Black Swan Hostel. It’s one of the best I’ve stayed at.

From there, I crossed the Strait of Gibraltar into Morocco. Being on the water with Europe behind me and Africa ahead stirred something in me. So many stories have passed through these waters. Now I guess I’m one of them.

My first few weeks were spent WWOOFing (organic farm volunteering) on a farm run by Reda, a former engineer turned farmer. We hit it off right away. I helped out in the gardens and with some construction work, ending each day with a satisfying fatigue where your whole body knows you’ve earned your rest.

Now I’m based in Marrakech, volunteering with the High Atlas Foundation—an NGO working on agroforestry, women’s empowerment, earthquake relief, and water access in mountain communities.

I’m living with a wonderful Moroccan family (Brahim, Hana, and their son Ghali) who insisted from my arrival that I am part of their family. Their warmth and delicious cooking have made Marrakech feel like home.

This Week in Morocco

Even though I tell myself I’m slowing down, I still pack a lot into each week. Here’s a look at some of my of my stories and reflections.

Fes

Last weekend was Eid al-Adha, a major holiday here. I took a 7-hour train to Fes, Morocco’s cultural capital. The medina was eerily quiet. Most shops were closed with the streets nearly empty. this all made the winding alleys even more enticing to explore.

One common travel ‘scam’: young guys would tell me the way ahead was closed and try to guide me on a “better” route, only to expect a tip. This was good reminder to trust my gut and map.

Chefchaouen

From there, I headed north to Chefchaouen, famous for its blue-painted streets. My favourite time to explore was at night, under the full moon, when the cool air entered and tourists disappeared.

With a few phrases in Darija (Moroccan Arabic), I got warm smiles from strangers. Evening prayer echoed through the town while I wandered, feeling like I’d stepped into a living fairytale.

Chefchaouen is also known for having some of the world’s best hashish. though not technically ‘legal’, it’s easy to find and there are even tours the farms where it’s grown.

Building a Biogas Digester

At the High Atlas Foundation office, I met TH (Thomas Henry), a traveling educator who builds DIY biogas digesters around the world. I jumped in to help him build one for a nearby community tree nursery.

These systems turn organic waste into methane gas for cooking and liquid fertilizer—clean energy with no waste. As we drove through Marrakech, TH pointed to the trash on the streets, explaining that all of this could be fuel and fertilizer, if only people had the know how.

We sourced materials for about $300, then headed to the Akrich tree nursery to build it with the local caretakers. By the end of the day, it was fully assembled and ready to use. It reminded me how powerful simple solutions can be when paired with the right knowledge.

Learn how to build one yourself here.

Canadian Connections

One of my reasons for coming to Morocco was my friend and mentor Nancy, who’s been here over a year working with nonprofits. We first met years ago when she was my first supervisor at an oil refinery in Canada. We bonded over our shared love of travel and questioning the status quo. She spoke of her great experiences here in Morocco so I knew I had to include it as a stop.

Now here we are, in North Africa, pursuing the lives we’ve talked about. She’s been an incredible resource as I navigate cultural differences and local systems. Last week, my host family and I invited her over for a dinner of tagine and zaalouk (roasted eggplant and peppers).

Meeting Nancy here has felt like two worlds colliding–somebody from my old life while I’m pursuing new paths. This also means we have shared stories and can get into deep conversations quickly. It’s been meaningful to reflect together on how far we’ve both come.

Passport Privilege

Travel often reminds me how lucky I am to hold a Canadian passport. I can go almost anywhere with minimal hassle. That’s not the case for many around the globe.

Moroccans face steep visa fees, long wait times, and often get denied entry even with all the right documents. I’ve met many people who’ve been rejected despite having enough funds and papers in place.

Another moment that stuck with me was speaking with TH’s wife, Enas, a Palestinian woman. She spoke of her life in Palestine and how her people are treated differently like limitations on mobility and restricted freedoms–all because of their identity. When TH (an American) previously entered Palestine with her, he was treated as a Palestinian too. His rights were also limited by association.

These moments remind me how uneven the playing field really is. We’re not just dealt different hands, but we’re often playing by different rules.

Closing

Thanks for joining this new format! I look forward to keeping things short and sharing new stories as they emerge.

If something in these updates resonate, I’d love to hear from you. These stories feel richer when they’re part of a conversation.

If you’d like to support the journey, you can become a monthly contributor on my Buy Me a Coffee page. Every bit helps.

Gratitide to my current supporters:

• John Lyne

• Tiana Tymko

With Love, 

-Adam