This article details a journalist's experience exploring Casablanca, Morocco, without using the internet or a phone. The author's deliberate avoidance of digital tools aimed to recapture a sense of authentic discovery, contrasting with the often pre-planned, digitally-mediated travel experiences of today.
The lack of digital access presented challenges, particularly in navigating the city. Simple tasks like finding the royal palace proved difficult without online maps or GPS. Interactions with locals, however, took on a more organic and unexpected nature. The author reflects on how readily available information, while convenient, can diminish the element of surprise and personal interaction that forms the richer fabric of travel.
The article uses the Casablanca experience to comment on the broader impact of technology on travel. The ease of planning a trip using online tools, while efficient, may lead to overtourism and a homogenized travel experience. The author suggests that disconnecting from the digital world helps rediscover serendipitous moments and create more genuine and memorable encounters.