Canadian retiree Tracy Charles, who has been traveling the world by motorbike for six years with her dog Roo, shared a spontaneous roadside encounter in Morocco that resonated warmly with viewers online. Now exploring the country from Tangier to Essaouira, she says moments like these capture what defines her journey: human connection, kindness, and the freedom of slow travel. DR ‹ › During her solo journey across Morocco, Canadian retiree Tracy Charles shared a spontaneous exchange with an elderly man from a roadside village. Traveling with her dog, Roo, Tracy paused to chat with the man, who attempted to speak French and jokingly asked whether Roo was «paying for the ride». Neither Tracy nor the man fully understood each other at the time, but the brief interaction was warmly received online. Shared on Instagram, the video won over many Moroccans, who later stepped in to translate the exchange in the comments. «He was being really funny, and I didn't catch that», Tracy told Yabiladi, admitting she felt bad for not understanding him at that moment. «We stood there for maybe 10 minutes just chatting, really not having a clue what he was saying, but somehow we just chatted, and it was so lovely», she added. Moments like these, she says, are what define her experience in Morocco. «The kindness is just overwhelming». One woman, a bike and a dog Tracy has been to many places, more than 20 countries, eventually losing count. Six years ago, the retired Canadian government worker sold everything back home, including her house and car, to travel the world by motorbike. «I've been traveling by motorbike ever since», she said. «Everything I own is on my motorbike». Before arriving in Morocco by sea from Europe, Tracy spent years traveling across Central and South America. It was in Colombia, during the COVID period, that she crossed paths with Roo. «I was on the beach, and I found this little dog. She was maybe about five months old, the vet thinks. And we kind of found each other, and she hung around me», she recalled. From their first encounter, Roo showed an interest in the bike. «She would just jump up and sit on the bike», Tracy said. What started as a temporary plan quickly turned into a lifelong bond. Tracy initially intended to have Roo treated, sterilized, and then placed with a family. But separation proved impossible. «I had fallen in love with her», she said. «She's my guardian. She protects me». After years riding across the Americas, Tracy shipped her bike to England to begin a new chapter in Europe. But traveling within the EU proved challenging. «It was very expensive, and I felt very rushed. You only have 90 days in 29 countries», she explained. Morocco : Nature, connections and kindness That led her back to Morocco, a country she had first visited 13 years ago. Tracy arrived about a month ago, starting in Tangier, followed by Chefchaouen, and a scenic mountain ride from Tangier to Fez. She then headed south to the desert, reaching Merzouga, before stopping in «a few other little towns on the way to the coast». She is currently in Essaouira. «I'm just going to continue heading down the coastline. It's so beautiful», she said. Reflecting on the changes since her last visit, Tracy noted that some things remain the same. «The people are still as kind, friendly, and curious as they were 13 years ago». While a woman riding a motorbike may not be unusual in cities like Marrakech, traveling with a dog wearing goggles as a co-pilot is still far from common. «Everybody's curious. Even if they're a little afraid of her, everybody wants photos of her», Tracy said. She is making the most of her time in Morocco, exploring old medinas, her favorite places, and spending time at the beach, Roo's favorite spot. As for riding routes, the Draa Valley left a lasting impression. «Absolutely stunning», she said. «And when I rode from Agadir up to Essaouira, the coastal road was just so beautiful». When not staying in rented accommodation, Tracy often camps with Roo in a small tent. «This is my life. I'm a slow traveler. I can do this for as long as I want», she said. «It allows me to better experience different cultures. People in the world are so much nicer than what you see in the news».
