In October 2024, twenty-two American, Canadian and British ambassadors participated in a special journey to Morocco. We sat down with Vicki Vance, Journey Coordinator of the group to talk about her experience on this FFI trip.
FFI: Hi Vicki, thanks for taking the time to share your group’s experience in Morocco. How would you describe this journey overall?
Vicki: It was truly one of the best journeys that I have ever been on. Our guide, Lahcen Asmar, was just phenomenal. As one of the best guides
that I’ve ever had in terms of history and knowledge, he shared with us so many aspects of life in Morocco and the cultural differences so that we could better interact with local people. It was one of the most organized journey tours that I’ve done in the past twenty-five years. During this journey, we visited the Sahara Desert, stayed one night with a Berber family in a rural village, participated in a two-night homestay in Fes, and so much more! Another memorable experience was the dishes offered throughout the trip. They were so varied and everyone learned a lot about Moroccan cuisine. We all wished we could have brought tagine pots home with us!
FFI: What were some highlights of the trip? Were there any places or experiences that stood out to the group?
Vicki: For a lot of us our favorite location was Chefchaouen or the Blue City. It’s a photographer’s dream and I am so glad that we stayed for two nights. It is a bit out of the way which means a long bus ride when leaving for Fes, but it’s so worth it. It’s such a unique town, completely different from anywhere else we visited.
FFI: Cultural immersion is at the heart of FFI’s mission. How did this journey help participants connect with Moroccan culture?
Vicki: We found the Moroccan people to be kind and friendly once you made the initial connection. I think we all came home with a new understanding and respect for a very different culture from our own. Another special moment was when a weaver at a co-op gifted one of our ambassadors a piece of her work—it was such a meaningful connection. On a sad note, the teenage son of our Berber host was involved in a tragic accident shortly after we left. His father keeps me updated and our group continues to pray for his full recovery.
FFI: Were there any challenges along the way? How did the group navigate those?
Vicki: Adapting to the homestay in Fes was challenging for some. Moroccan homes are very different from what we’re used to, and flexibility was key since this was not a typical FF homestay. A few people struggled with language barriers but even that is a valuable experience. Some of the best food of the entire journey was found during our two homestays!
FFI: It sounds like this journey had an impact on the group members. Would you recommend a Moroccan journey of this kind to other FFI travelers who might be interested?
Vicki: Absolutely! I’ve already told several people about Friendship Force’s Moroccan journey happening in October 2025, as this trip certainly enriched our lives.
FFI: Thank you so much for sharing Vicki!