Category: On the Road

Hotel Style at Home

Well, as you learned yesterday (via La Route Libre… my neglected travel blog), over the weekend we stayed at the Moonrise Hotel in Saint Louis. While booking it (and snagging the stay two nights, get one night free deal) I was fully aware that this would probably be the nicest hotel I would ever stay in. Unless I land a sweet job that sends me around the world for work.

Due to its contemporary and modern nature, all the furnishings were extremely up-to-date (although they could have toned down the faux bois veneer on drawers, lobby features, etc). The bed was seriously the most comfortable thing I have ever slept on. We considered strapping it to the top of the truck and heading for the hills.

The room made me think more about ways to make my home more “hotelly.” You can see my ruminations below. 

  • I have got to get my paws on a settee like the one in photo one. Is that what it’s called? Or a chaise? Either way, sitting on it to watch TV made me feel very cosmopolitan, indeed :)
  • The art above were quirky “photobooth” -esque shots of old timey people posing on a giant moon. There were two more of these in our room and more everywhere in the hotel. I thought they were cute and quirky, lending a fun and different aspect on the “moon” theme.

  • The mirror would be “easy” to DIY (I put easy in quotations because the theory is easy but in practice might be harder). Just cut a piece of MDF into a cute exaggerated frame and attach it to an existing frame–unify by painting the whole thing one color.

  • Statement pieces like this lamp made me swoon. If only stuff like this was more affordable.
Have you taken any decorating ideas from hotels? Or written down a list of what not to do–like the Moonrise’s carpet, maybe? Ick! 

 

Summer Break!

I’m on break until Tuesday when I’ll fill you all in on our fab getaway to Saint Louis! Look for details about tourist attractions, non-tourist attractions, restaurants, and our hotel. :)

Midweek Adventure!

So today after class we went over to Salé, which is directly across the river from Rabat, making the two almost like one city–or so it says geographically. Realistically, Salé is like a poor man’s version of Rabat. Also it smelled like garbage. I won’t be going back. However, I did get an amazing t-shirt. But wait! Let’s tell the story in pictures!

Check out those colors! Ready to cross the river!
Check out those colors! Ready to cross the river!
Luckily the Boat Guy didn't let Rajae drive...
Luckily the Boat Guy didn't let Rajae drive...
On-board snack? I wonder how long those have been there...
On-board snack? I wonder how long those have been there...

Now, most of Salé’s medina was like the dollar-general version of… any other medina I have been to on this trip, which was a real disappointment because I was prepared to load up on gifts for family and friends back home. But I didn’t because… I wasn’t in the market for used remote controls or knockoff sunglasses.

...but they had AWESOME fabric
...but they had AWESOME fabric.
A poor woman was selling colored chicks for 1DH each. That's her living.
A poor woman was selling colored chicks for 1DH each. That's how she makes her living.

Since the bus from school–boat across the river–walking several miles ordeal to get to the Salé medina took us almost two hours, we opted on getting a taxi for the way back. But there were six of us. Problem?

...no problem! Four in the back and two in the front (plus driver) is perfectly acceptable!
...no problem! Four in the back and two in the front (plus driver) is perfectly acceptable!

After the taxi we took another bus to school, then I took yet another bus home. It has been a bus-y day! (See what I did there? Its a pun.)

Also, today is July 7th! I have officially been in Morocco for one month. Seems like wayyy longer than a month though!