Packing Suggestions
THINK LIGHT! You will have to put whatever you bring onto the tops of buses and you will have to carry your bag for long distances. Here's a list of all that you will need to stay warm, dry, cool and comfortable. When packing, think layers and do your best to stay away from cotton (save T-shirts) because cotton takes a long time to dry. We recommend that you only bring what's listed here. The lighter you pack, the happier you--and the rest of the group--will be. There will be opportunities to do “self-service” laundry where we’ll be staying.
PLEASE NOTE: We strive to be model visitors, and therefore ask that students bring clothing that is lightweight and durable, but that also covers the body well, and looks respectable. Tie-dyed T-shirts, cut-off jeans, tight fitting leggings and tank tops are inappropriate, as they show disrespect for local cultures.
BAGS:
BACK PACK/SUITCASE: Your main container to store your things. Something light weight and durable is best. An internal frame backpack functions well for easy mobility.
DAY PACK: A book-bag or fanny-pack to use for daily excursions (to carry camera, water bottle, jacket, notebook, etc).
DUFFEL BAG: While you’ll want to be able to fit all of your things in a backpack and daypack, an extra duffel can be handy. This bag should be nylon and relatively durable.
STUFF SACKS: Light-weight and compact, using stuff sacks to separate clothes, food, toiletries, and everything else will bring order to your pack, and make your life simpler.
ZIPLOC BAGS: Like stuff sacks, these can be invaluable for organizing and keeping things organized and dry.
GEAR:
VALID PASSPORT: Good for at least 6 months from the beginning of your program.
MONEY BELT: A very important item to wear daily, under your clothes, safely hiding your passport, money, etc.
SLEEPING BAG: Sleeping bags should be “mummy” style and have a temperature rating between 0 and 20 degrees.
WATER BOTTLES – Please bring two, one-quart, plastic. Nalgene bottles can be found at local outdoor gear shops.
HEAD LAMP – Flashlights are okay, but headlamps are more convenient.
WARM HAT & GLOVES – For High Atlas.
ALARM CLOCK/WATCH – Travel-size, to catch early buses and trains.
SWISS ARMY KNIFE
SNEAKERS/TRAIL SHOES: Durable and comfortable, for daily wear.
SANDLES/ TEVAS: Good for every day use in hot weather.
CHAPSTICK & SUNSCREEN
VISOR / SUN HAT
SUNGLASSES - With UV protection.
CLOTHING:
RAIN COAT/OUTER SHELL: A water-proof wind breaker, ideally light-weight and breathable.
JACKET / SWEATER: As light weight as possible, to wear on the plane or in rare air-conditioned settings or in the High Atlas.
LIGHT or MID-WEIGHT FLEECE TOP: always good to have one for layering as temperatures rise/fall.
T-SHIRTS: 3, in decent shape with sleeves, preferably not too tight-fitting or low cut.
NICE SHIRT: 1, for meetings and special occasions.
BATHING SUIT: 1, modest one-piece.
PANTS: 2, ideally light-weight. Jeans are heavy and take a long time to dry.
SOCKS & UNDERWEAR: 5 pairs each.
THERMAL UNDERWEAR: 1 top, 1 bottom.
SLEEPWEAR: Ideally a T-shirt/shorts can double for this. Minimize extra weight!
SKIRT /DRESS: Skirt below the knees or a dress with sleeves. There may also be opportunities to buy inexpensive skirts in Morocco.
OTHER:
CAMERA & FILM: Extra film is available in Morocco, although it is more expensive. Do bring an extra camera battery! If you use a digital camera you might want to bring an extra memory card.
DIGITAL AUDIO RECORDER: If you have one, bring it to capture your impromptu thoughts, interview your homestay host, etc., and capture some of the unique sounds emblematic of Morocco
TOWEL: Small and light (and ideally fast-drying). *Just in case—good to have when we travel between circuits—and in the event the towel-snatching camel appears at our lodgings
TOILETRIES: Just the basics! (Brush, toothbrush & paste, shampoo, tampons, etc.) No hair driers, irons, etc.
MEDICATIONS/VITAMINS: Bring any prescription medicine you take in its original container to avoid problems at customs.
GLASSES/CONTACTS: Bring a back-up pair as well and contact solution for the duration of the trip.
NATURAL TEARS / VISINE EYE DROPS – With sandy, dusty conditions and a dry climate, this is handy to have.
NOTEBOOK / JOURNAL
PEN / PENCIL
TRAVEL BOOK: Ideally about the places we will visit (we can swap around to minimize weight).
GIFTS: A few light items to share with new friends & homestay families (post cards of your home state, a simple t-shirt, a small calendar or picture book).
SPENDING MONEY: We recommend about $5-$10 per day though you may not spend this much unless you plan on buying a lot of gifts (or expensive ones). American Express traveler's cheques are safest, in a mix of $20 and $50 denominations, but not every bank in Morocco cashes traveler’s cheques. ATMs are fairly widespread and just as efficient.
OPTIONAL:
SHORTS - 1 pair, at least mid-thigh length (shorts won't be appropriate much of the time; in fact, you may never wear them, but they can be good to sleep in).
BANDANA - These can serve multiple purposes while traveling
SLEEP SACK –Either pre-made or a sheet sewn into a rectangular sack. Good for nights in hotel/hostel settings when it’s hot.
UMBRELLA - A lightweight, travel umbrella can serve you as well in rain or shine.
WATER FILTER - (MSR Sweetwater is a good one) Homestay families will boil water; however, a water filter can be convenient when staying in hotel/hostel settings or in the High Atlas.
INSECT REPELLENT
DUCT TAPE – Wrap some around your water bottles and pull it off as you need it.
EAR PLUGS - Help you sleep on long flights and bus rides—and if your roommate has a tendency to snore—or talk in her sleep!
PLAYING CARDS
PURELL - Anti-bacterial hand gel (a small bottle), or anti-bacterial hand-wipes.
PLEASE NOTE: Lugging a heavy pack around for the entire time we are in Morocco can be extremely tiresome. We can find almost anything you'll need in the countries we visit, and you'll also want to pick up new items. Seriously challenge yourself to pack light, and lighter still, you definitely will not regret it! If you have any questions about whether it is or isn't appropriate to bring certain items, please don't hesitate to ask.
One final thing that is essential equipment: A HEALTHY BODY!! Your experience will be so much more enjoyable if you come with a body that is fully prepared for the journey. If you are not already getting regular exercise, we recommend starting an aerobic workout program—or at least taking long walks--exercising at least 30 minutes a day, five days a week.
Packing hints: Culturally appropriate clothing. What does this mean? When you are packing for this program it is really important that you bring clothes that will be both comfortable and suitable to the locations we are going to.
For female students this means loose fitting shirts that have sleeves at least the length of a usual t-shirt. Shirts that have spaghetti straps, are sleeveless, tight-fitting, or mid-riff baring are not appropriate and can lead to troubles that can almost certainly be avoided by more conservative dress. If you wear pants that have a low-waist line you need to have shirts long enough to cover your mid-riff. If you wear a skirt, it should be at least to your knees.
For male students it is best to have pants and shirts with short sleeves as well.
For all students:
It is important that your clothes be clean (no holes, stains, rips, etc.).