With Open Arms: Short Stories of Misadventures in Morocco

by Matthew Felix

"Sometimes hilarious, sometimes horrifying, always entertaining." - T. Holland

#1 Kindle Morocco * #1 Books Morocco * #1 Kindle Africa

"I'm a great fan of Bill Bryson's books...Matthew, however, added a bit of suspense that kept me awake reading into the night." - Amazon reviewer

Excerpts "My reflexes belatedly kicking in, I couldn't help but flinch. The children cheered, relishing having reduced me to their plaything." [o] "Our little spectacle having brought the night market to a standstill, we were now surrounded by about fifty men. I was living the chaotic mob scene from so many movies, and it was every bit as nightmarish as it had always looked on-screen." [o] "As I was about to let out a desperate cry that would require no translation, the giant finished...leaving me flinching on the floor like a bug that's been smashed but isn't quite dead." [o] "Amidst astonishingly beautiful, unsullied waves of sand, a lone figure squatted, holding a roll of toilet paper. It was a peculiar, paradoxical sight."

When Matthew had to renew his European visa, his point of exit was obvious: he was going to Morocco. Memories of his previous trip filled him with anxiety. What was he thinking? After everything that had happened, did he really want to go back? Scams. Altercations. Mishaps. But also humor and beauty. His curiosity overcoming his fears, his second trip would prove as unforgettable as the first.

An Amazon.com best-selling collection of travel writing as entertaining for the armchair traveler as indispensable for anyone interested in adventure in North Africa.

Excerpts, video, and more at: matthewfelix.com/open-arms

Genres: Travel, Memoir, Morocco

102 pages, Paperback

Published July 26, 2016

About the author

Matthew Félix is an author, podcast producer and host, and traveler.

Adventure, humor, and spirituality infuse his work, which often draws on his time living in Spain, France, and Turkey, as well as travels in over fifty countries.

Matthew’s debut novel, A Voice Beyond Reason, is the story of how a young Spaniard's awakening to his intuition gets him out of his head, so he can follow his heart. Matthew's travel-story collection, With Open Arms, recounts his humorous and harrowing experiences on two trips to Morocco. The collection has topped the Amazon Africa category, as well as the Morocco one three times.

Matthew’s video podcast, Matthew Félix On Air, features guests discussing writing, travel, culture, and more. Matthew has also produced three podcasts based on his books.

In his free time, Matthew is likely to be found exploring the streets of San Francisco or hiking the trails of Northern California.

matthewfelix.com

Reviews

[LeeTravelGoddess]

as a world traveler... I see some value here.

as a world traveler... I see no value here.

Leave your porch, balcony, corner, city, state and nation— go smartly.

BUT, GO!!!

[Zsófia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh. In case you're planning to go to Morocco, I would only recommend this book if you are very, VERY well traveled and can take it for what it is. It's a collection of stories of misadventures and annoyances. It's entertaining, but only showing a fragment of the travel experience in the country.

[Marilyn A · Rating 1 out of 5]

Frat Boy recalling of trips to Morocco.

[Ciaran Byrne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this to be an incredibly enjoyable read - misadventures is a great description as the author brings you along a host of experiences that will have you bursting into laughter - many of the stories contain themes universal to most international travelers - the awkward and challenging arrival, the unforgettable train journey, harassment by locals - it goes on. Reading this makes me want to get up and travel to another country and experience adventure all over again although based on Matthew's experience - I'm not sure whether I'm quite ready for Morocco! A great read - I'd highly recommend this to anyone visiting a new country and travelling a little into the unknown. A great way to get you ready and psyched for a new adventure or misadventure!

[Chrissy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sometimes you get what you are looking for. If you’ve not read another account or experience of Morocco, plan to be dissuaded from visiting-ever.

Fortunately I’ve a few acquaintances who’ve experienced a very different Morocco and I viewed this as a heads up. There are good and bad memories from every country I’ve experienced. I have been pickpocketed in 3 countries, including my own, twice.

Wisdom and caution aside it seems the expectations were to NOT love Morocco -and that is what happened, tho there wasn’t enough background to say conclusively.

The author seems a rogue traveller which is not something most of us would attempt in a Muslim country.
Read it to know where you need to exercise caution. But go with high expectations of meeting a lovely country and its people.

[Jodi · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a fellow traveler, I found this book conveyed the excitement, frustration and trepidation many travelers feel when experiencing cultures so different from our own. I thought the author was very brave in writing an honest account of his time in Morocco.His disappointing encounters were juxtaposed with encouraging ones and I could almost feel the dissonance this caused.The author's misadventures were at times harrowing (the taxi-driver!!), but were told with a sense of humor and lightness. I was sad when the book came to and end and would love to continue to reading his stories.

[Sherrie Kinderdine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written account of Matthews' amusing and often unbelievable experiences traveling throughout Morocco. It seems a bit insensitive to laugh at these accounts, but I'm guessing humor is the only thing that got the author through them! Mr. Felix's writing is phenomenal, providing incredibly vivid depictions of the scenery and sounds that I felt like I was right there with him. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a brief and rollicking escape from the ordinary.

[Ryan · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is drivel. I would not be surprised is 80% of these stories are either complete fabrications or exaggerated beyond all semblance of reality. I live in Morocco, and have traveled to almost all of the locations. He describes and never had anything even remotely close to the experiences he alleges. Full disclosure, however, he lost me on page three when he described the vaguely annoying experience of walking out out of the port in Tangier as “ a gauntlet” and “ lynch mob”

[Angela Leresche · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read before you head to Morocco

I'm headed to Morocco for a 12 day tour. I feel like I'm better prepared for paying attention to my surroundings and to beware of the many scams, cons, haggling people but at the same time enjoy the adventure. Oh and don't take expensive items on your trip, that way they can't be stolen from you.

[Mary Benson · Rating 5 out of 5]

You feel like you are actually there-the descriptions are so good. Most of the time of it's funny, sometimes it's worrisome. And it's always exciting! I have already recommended to several friends.

[Jenny]

So negative!

I wish the author had discussed more of what he liked in Morocco. Good to know about the scammers. But Depressing.

[Evelyn Petschek · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disappointing…

[Melanie Guerra · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick, entertaining read about one traveler’s misadventures in Morocco.

[Paulette Lee · Rating 2 out of 5]

A very one-sided presentation of a foreigner's experience in Morocco, focusing on the negative.