Nomadic Tales My perception of small countries is that the chances of finding a secluded spot to pitch a tent without being seen are very low. The land tends to be expensive and fully utilized, and I imagined that landowners wouldn’t appreciate tents on property they’ve paid dearly for. I resisted the temptation to try even a single night of wild camping in Switzerland, fearing a hefty fine. However, I did camp in Luxembourg, not one, but two nights. In Kehl, Germany, just across the river from Strasbourg, I managed one night of wild camping, but it was far from comfortable. Two men walking in the distance kept watching me for about half an hour. Despite my green tent blending into the grassy ground with a forested backdrop, and being 400 meters from the road, they appeared suspicious, stepping left and right, perhaps trying to get a better view. Since wild camping is generally frowned upon in Germany, I usually avoid it, but I wanted to try anyway. I had spent a full week near ...
Nomadic Tales As a popular destination for international travelers, Morocco sees a constant influx of visitors, which also means ample opportunity for hustlers to refine their craft. Nowhere is this more apparent than in Fez, the ancient walled city, where waves of unsuspecting tourists meet a parallel tide of clever scammers. To be clear, the vast majority of Moroccans are warm, honest, and hospitable. However, the medina’s 9,000 narrow alleys offer a perfect hunting ground for the more opportunistic among the city’s million residents. One of the most profitable cons involves the so-called “faux guide.” These individuals offer to “take you to the medina”, even though you’re already deep inside it. Their real aim is to lead you to overpriced shops and restaurants that offer them a cut, while taking you as quickly as possible outside of medina, where a small gang appears suddenly to mob and intimidate you into paying for their “services”. A common tactic is the classic bai...