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A Little Holiday Magic in Vienna
Christmas looks very different in Morocco. As a predominantly Muslim country, the holiday isn’t widely celebrated here, and while that’s something I respect and appreciate, I found myself missing a bit of the seasonal magic that usually sneaks in around this time of year. So I did what felt like the best solution: I took a quick long weekend trip to Vienna to soak up Christmas markets, cold air, and twinkling lights. I even bought a jacket and scarf specifically for this trip
Allyson Gilbert
Dec 23, 20253 min read


Heading South: Ouarzazate and Agadir
Over the past few weeks, my time in Morocco has taken me south — first to Ouarzazate, then to Agadir — two places that couldn’t feel more different, yet both left a strong impression. Ouarzazate I traveled to Ouarzazate with a group of fellow Fulbrighters to help run workshops at the cinema school there. Over two days, we watched two films with students and spent time discussing media, storytelling, and how perception is shaped through film. The conversations were thoughtful,
Allyson Gilbert
Dec 23, 20252 min read


A Weekend in Safi
This past weekend, I traded my usual routine in Rabat for a visit to Safi, where my friend and fellow Fulbrighter, Catherine, is living and teaching. The train ride was long — about five and a half hours — but it was the kind of journey that lets you settle in, read, stare out the window, and watch the landscape shift from coastal city to open fields to the quieter stretch of Morocco’s Atlantic coast. By the time I arrived, it already felt like a small adventure. Catherine wa
Allyson Gilbert
Nov 18, 20252 min read


A Weekend in the Blue City
This weekend I headed north to Chefchaouen and Akchour — two places that feel like they belong in completely different worlds, yet are only an hour apart. Chefchaouen, known as the “Blue City,” really lives up to its name. The walls, doors, stairs, and even flower pots seem painted in every possible shade of blue. I spent most of my first day walking through the medina, weaving between small shops filled with traditional clothing, Moroccan trinkets, and trays of freshly baked
Allyson Gilbert
Oct 20, 20253 min read


A Day in Fes
This weekend one of my Fulbright besties, Talia, and I took a day trip to Fes (not Fez - you will be corrected). It’s about a three-hour...
Allyson Gilbert
Oct 11, 20253 min read


A Weekend with Safaa
This past weekend was one I’ll never forget. When I first connected with Safaa, I knew she would be someone special. She’s a college...
Allyson Gilbert
Oct 6, 20253 min read


What I Packed for Morocco
When I was preparing for my Fulbright in Morocco, I knew I had a challenge ahead of me: five months abroad, one checked bag, and one...
Allyson Gilbert
Sep 28, 20252 min read


A Day Between Continents: Ceuta and Tangier
This week I took my first day trip out of Rabat, traveling north to explore Ceuta and Tangier. It was a day full of contrasts—sleek...
Allyson Gilbert
Sep 13, 20252 min read
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