The Lookout Moment

During the group trips, we still carve out solo time…

They call it “The Blue City.”
Everything painted blue, floor to ceiling.
In Morocco, this symbolizes spiritual enlightenment.
The sky meets the city.

When our van pulled over at the lookout to take in the view, rolling mountains layered with stacked blue forms, our group stepped out to stretch, take it in, and unknowingly step into one of the most memorable moments of the trip.

“Thank you everyone for being here. Flying across the world. A journey through the mountains in a van… all for this moment together. Our first sketch in the Blue City.”

The Wandering Begins

After weaving through the initial labyrinth of alleys and catching the last bit of daylight, we made it to our sketch spot.
I turned around and saw two children curiously looking at Magdalena’s sketchbook. She smiled and shared it with them.

Minutes later, a local high school film crew showed up (they asked permission) and began filming us.

Moments like this — pure, unplanned — are already drawing our group closer together.

Why We Travel Sketch

This is why we do it.

To wander into the unknown, to trust that at any moment, we’ll be reminded of the goodness of life and humanity.

The Corner That Called Me

The next day, after a morning workshop, we broke off into smaller groups or solo time.
A travel sketcher needs solo time,
to follow the light cascading from rooftop to rooftop,
filling plazas while dark alleyways lead to new surprises.

I ventured off into the labyrinth of tiny walking streets
and paused in front of a corner nook door entry.
It felt like the knuckle of a walkway.
A few more beats—

“Should I sketch here? Hmm… let me keep searching. I’ll come back.”

After winding up and around, I couldn’t stop thinking about that corner.

I’m often asked how I choose what to sketch,
and this feels like a clear example.
Before I forgot how to retrace my steps, I ran back.

Running like I was chasing the love of my life.
These rare moments—where light kisses and shadows fall, are fleeting.
Like love at first sight.
How could I risk losing that view?
I questioned myself, worried I might be lost in the labyrinth.

The Encounter

I was almost there when I saw a man,
dressed in a robe with a turquoise hood,
like royalty.
A beard, jewelry, and a big smile.
Time blurred.
I felt like I had time-traveled hundreds of years back.
His smile and robe were all I could think about.

I tried to say he looked cool or something.
To him, that was just daily life.
To me, it was a glitch in the matrix.
A simple thumbs-up and a smile got my point across, maybe.

I kept moving, chasing the corner.
She was still there, gracefully waiting for my lines.

Then came the moment.

As I started sketching and recording a video about choosing this exact spot, three boys walked up. One held a rock. One held a stick. One leaned on my shoulder with a bat.

They greeted me warmly with “Salam,” shook my hand, and smiled.

Speaking in Darija dialect Arabic, they said, “He looks happy.”
I gulped, smiled, and replied, “Kayfah halook?” (How are you?)
They responded respectfully, “Alhamdulillah” (Praise be to God).
The boy with the rock stepped to the other side of me, crossing in front of the camera.
One of them said, “Leave him be.”
The other replied, “You’re the one in front of his camera. Let’s go.”
They waved goodbye and left.

The Reel That Went Viral

Thanks to this Instagram reel—now with over 7 million views across all platforms—
the comments helped translate what the boys said.

These are the pure moments of travel sketching that stay with you for life.
Serendipity at its core.

Of course, with virality came pessimism.
Comments said it was dangerous,
that they would have stolen my equipment,
or they were planning to bully me with the rock, stick, and bat.

But honestly,
I didn’t even notice those things until someone pointed them out.
In reality, one commenter said,
“They’re playing a game—likely using those to mark a goal line for soccer in the street.”

The Sketch That Almost Didn’t Happen

The light was fading.
But I had just enough information to capture what I needed.

It’s likely the first time I’ve ever seen a corner door into a home like that.
And I almost missed it.

Closing Reflection

From the flight, to the van ride, to the alleyways of Chefchaouen — all those steps led to this sketch.

(Photo above by: Gabriela Betance)

It’s a reminder that life is in constant discovery.
Sometimes the sketch finds you.

You could be in one of those moments right now…

Where Will You Go Next?

Follow the light and the path will reveal itself.

Have you experienced something like this while sketching or traveling?

Share it in the comments below.