The Joy of Overlanding Through Developing Countries
The Joy of Overlanding Through Developing Countries
Rediscovering Adventure in Morocco
“The Joy of Overlanding through Developing Countries”
We spent the first two months of our trip through Europe, North Africa, and West Asia in France and Spain, which are considered “first world” countries. Although we enjoyed the culture, food, and wine in both countries, our time there didn’t feel as fulfilling as the 14 months we spent overlanding through Mexico, Central America, and South America five years ago. Of course, the weather was cold and wet, and we had some bad luck, including a minor accident in France. But more than anything, we yearned for the sense of adventure and cultural immersion that we had experienced along the Pan-American Highway.
That all changed when we crossed into Morocco. We were immediately immersed in a culture that fascinated and inspired us. Our journey also took us through beautiful and diverse landscapes, from the Atlantic coast to the Sahara Desert and the Atlas mountains. And of course, the driving raised our pulses as we navigated narrow and winding mountain roads, navigated sandy tracks, and drove through towns filled with cars, dogs, goats, horses, and people.
Morocco is considered a “developing” country (a term that replaced the older phrase “third world country”), meaning that many people there live with fewer economic resources than those in countries like France and Spain. But that didn’t make the country feel depressing. Instead, as Leah described in her blog post about Morocco, many of the people we met throughout our 10-week journey seemed genuinely content and happy — in some cases, even more so than many of the people we encountered in France and Spain.
The Joy of Overlanding through Developing Countries
In April, we returned to Spain and eventually France.
After 10 weeks in Morocco — where we ate local foods including couscous and tagines prepared by Berber and even nomadic families — neither of us got sick. Yet within the first two weeks back in Spain, both of us got food poisoning, and Oz had to undergo surgery to remove a tumor on his foot. It was a reminder that developing countries are not necessarily more dangerous or unhealthy than wealthier nations, and that luck always plays a role in every overland expedition.
As we look ahead to our travels through the Alps this summer and fall, and eventually Italy in the winter, our challenge will be finding ways to make those adventures feel as meaningful and inspiring as our time in Morocco and other developing countries.
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