Thomas Stanley

Professional Propagandist, Occasional Naysayer, and General Ne'er-do-well.

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Reason 1,242 Why I Love Morocco:

The Marrakech medina is actually just many little medinas within one enclosure

Most neighborhoods, whether in a big city or small town, still adhere to a medina mentality, meaning most daily needs are within only a few blocks. Each small area typically has a butcher, a green grocer, a dry cleaner, a hammam, a baker (or community oven), a barber/hairdresser, at least four cafés, a pharmacy, hardware store, tailor, a dry goods shop, and endless small convenience stores. What’s not in a shop, is usually at a nomadic stand that shows up every morning. Often, there are also shops for clothing and shoes, doctors’ offices, gyms, and small restaurants.

Culture, Europe, History, Travel

Updated Itinerary

by Thomas Stanley • April 11, 2019 • 0 Comments

Since we’ve been waylaid by the incomparable island of Karpathos, Greece and our realization that time well-spent in place is equally good as time well-spent elsewhere. It’s a matter of perspective. Every place can be awe-inspiring if one takes the time to notice, our original intended itinerary needed to be modified. Therefore, our updated plans,…

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Culture, Europe, History, Travel

Hungarian Changing of the Guard

by Thomas Stanley • April 4, 2019 • 0 Comments

A quick video of the Hungarian Changing of the Guard ceremony – my new fascination of sorts – at the Presidential Palace in Budapest, Hungary. This one is different than most, in that it also includes drums.

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Reason 318 Why I Love Morocco: Many people I meet for the first time while walking around insist I stay with them next time I’m in town.

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Reason 591 Why I Love Morocco: If you look helpless enough, eventually someone will take you by the hand and lead you through the morass of paperwork necessary for renewing your carte de sejour.

Africa, Awareness, Culture, History, Life, Nature, Observations, Peace Corps, Photography, Travel

Morocco’s Southern Coast

by Thomas Stanley • January 27, 2019 • 1 Comment

First, let’s be clear, since I don’t want there to be any misunderstanding. There is an extensive coastline along Morocco’s most southern coast that, as of yet, I am not allowed to enter as a current Peace Corps volunteer. I want to visit Dakhla and Laayoune, insha’Allah, but I can’t. Not yet. So, this is…

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Awareness, Life, Travel

Letting Go of Things

by Thomas Stanley • January 20, 2019 • 0 Comments

What is value? What do you value? Why do you value it? As we transition to the next phase in our lives, we have been challenged by these questions. During our eight comfortable years together, we did what most people do – we accumulated things, many things. Our closets were full of wonderful clothing, our…

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Moroccan butcher in Agadir

Reason 933 Why I love Morocco: Despite the rapid move toward modernization, especially in the massive metropolis of Casablanca, there remains a culture of trust and goodwill that permeates informal relationships.

The latest of innumerable examples: My local butcher, who’s known me only a week or so, sent me away with my purchase, even though I’d forgotten my money, and told me I could pay when I able. Incha’Allah.

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Reason 302 Why I Love Morocco: Sometimes, when you ask a policeman for directions, after buying you tea, he tells a passerby to drive you to your destination across town, who then invites you for dinner at his home.