Reflections on a Semester Abroad in Morocco

Reflections on a Semester Abroad in Morocco



Yesterday I graduated from University of Hartford. I am no longer a student, I am officially a college graduate. I am finally entering “the real world” with practically no solid plans for the future. People keep asking me how it feels. It feels like I've been standing on a diving board for the past twenty-two years, toeing the edge, and someone just gave me a good, solid push. That feeling when you're falling through the air and your stomach drops and you suddenly can't breathe and you're terrified but it's the best kind of terrified- that's what it felt like to graduate. Now, I've belly flopped into the pool and have no choice but to start swimming.

I'm not entirely sure what happened to the past four years. I met some incredible people. I realized my passion for writing. I developed terrible sleeping habits.

I do know that in the future, when somebody asks me about my life in college, I won't hesitate to say that studying abroad was the most educational and enriching aspect of my college career. That's not to say that I didn't learn a lot while on campus; I did, but studying abroad taught me things which I could never have hoped to learn while staying at school.

 I spent a semester in Morocco, living with a Moroccan family and struggling everyday to learn Arabic and become assimilated into a culture very different from my own. The first two weeks of classes included a crash course in Darija, a Moroccan dialect, in which my classmates and I sat in a room for four hours a day attempting to absorb as much information as possible. Including writing hundreds of pages of papers and homework and tests over the years, I don't think I have ever pushed my brain to work as hard as I did sitting in Nawal's introductory Darija class. By the end of the day I couldn't remember which language I was supposed to be thinking in. I left everyday feeling exhausted and confused, but accomplished.

Academically, I learned a lot about Moroccan history and about Arabic but by living with my host family I was able to study the culture firsthand. At least in the beginning it felt like I was studying my family, but with every day that passed I became more assimilated. I grew used to their routines and formed my own. Soon I wasn't confused as to where I was when I woke up in the morning and I was no longer startled by the call to prayer. My family gave me a Moroccan name: Emina. I felt more and more at home in the Kasbah.



Without my host family, I still would have enjoyed studying abroad. I still would have learned a lot and I still would be prompting the students I meet now to study abroad. However, living with them gave me a much more intimate and comprehensive connection to Moroccan culture than I ever could have hoped to have without them. They made me feel comfortable enough to ask anything, not only about language but also culture and politics and religion. They fed me until I thought I'd never be hungry again; and then they fed me more. They took care of me when I was sick. They loved me like their own, and I grew to love them too. I think about them all the time and someday will travel back to Morocco to visit them. They are and will always be my Moroccan family.

At the end of three and a half months in Morocco, I had gotten so attached to my family and to the culture that while I missed my friends and family back home, it was extremely difficult for me to leave. Coming home was strange because I experienced reverse culture shock.

The initial culture shock of leaving the United States and arriving in Morocco was to be expected. I knew that things would be different from back home, but I had no idea how different some things could be. This shock was, ultimately, a positive one. My world and my reality was turned on its head and I was left completely disoriented and forced to survive. Not only did I survive, I thrived, and I learned so much in the process.

I think that everyone needs their reality to be shaken up every once in a while, if only to put things into perspective. I got a lot of perspective while studying abroad on several different aspects of my life which I could not have anticipated.

I had hoped that while studying abroad I would figure out what I wanted to do with my life, that I would suddenly have a plan for the future. For some of my classmates this was the case, but not for me. I didn't leave Morocco knowing what I would do after graduation, but I left with a new outlook on life. The future was still scary, and I was still unprepared, but I wasn't quite as stressed as I had been before. When I had complained to my host family about how I thought I'd never get a job with my English degree and how I was going to end up living at home forever and how I had no future, they laughed at me.

Not only was I getting an education, I was able to travel around the world to do so. Not only did I have a home to go back to but a family who would support and encourage me. My host grandfather, as it were, would tease me a lot but he constantly reminded me of how much opportunity lay before me. In the most gentle and caring way possible he made me realize how petty all my anxiety and fear about the future really was.

Moroccans cannot leave the country without a visa, which is close to impossible for many people to obtain. My host grandfather, in his late sixties, would most likely never get to leave the country. He would tell me wistfully about how he longed to move to Germany and get a job and marry a nice German girl. Then he would cackle and wink at me and tell me not to worry about anything, I would be fine. And I know that he's right, I will be fine.

I made a lot of questionable decisions in college, but the best decision I made was to study abroad. No matter what your goals are for the future, I believe that you should study abroad. It can only help prepare you. Go anywhere, it doesn't matter what country you go to, as long as it's something new and different. Now is the time for adventures; now is the time to study abroad.


Maral pictured with her family at graduation.


Maral graduated from the University of Hartford with a BA in English/Creative Writing and a minor in French. She spent a semester abroad in Rabat, Morocco through the Council for International Education & Exchange (CIEE) in Fall 2011.

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Post-Port Reflections of Morocco

Post-Port Reflections of Morocco
A very popular experience for Semester at Sea Voyagers in Casablanca was the SAS-arranged dinner with a Moroccan family. Students were met by the families aboard the MV Explorer, where they took their hosts on a quick tour, and then left with them for dinner in their homes. I spoke with Nancy Abbott, a student from the University of San Diego, who relayed her experiences to me. Her group consisted of four Semester at Sea students. They were picked up by the mother of the family, Sauda ben-Moussa. Following the tour of the ship, Sauda took the students on a driving tour of the city where they were able to see the great mosque, both the new and old medina, the beach, and some of the lively parts of the city. Dinner started at around 9:00. Nancy described the house as very modern, set in a nice part of town, and comparable to an American home. The family consisted of a mother, father, a 23-year-old son, and a 25-year-old daughter and her husband. Despite the many cultural differences, such as being able to eat with your hands (which I’ve been told everyone enjoyed), Nancy said that she and her shipmates felt very comfortable and that it reminded them of being at home. The family was very interested in what was going on in the States and had a genuine appreciation for American culture and values.


Tucker Whitcomb, Cornell
Tucker was with a group that spent a night in a nomad village. He and a few friends met a Moroccan university student who was ecstatic about the opportunity of talking with American students. Their conversation ranged from politics, to history, to economics. One thing that Tucker realized were the differences between the American and Moroccan styles of education. From what he gathered by talking with this student, the Moroccan system is based much more on theory than in the U.S. For example, when the conversation turned to politics, the student did not ask about specific policies or current events, he wanted to learn what the Americans thought of the writings of Karl Marx and other political writers. For the Moroccan, “Talking to Americans was a dream come true,” according to Tucker. For the SAS students, it was a very revealing experience about life for some of their counterparts on Morocco.

SAS Student
I wasn’t able to catch the name of this student, but I really liked what she had to say. She was speaking with someone back home who asked how she could really get to experience the culture of a country. After her time in Morocco, this SAS student had her answer. While she was waiting for a bus, she sat down next to an elderly man who struck up a conversation with her. She said that it was an incredible experience and that she learned so much more about life in Morocco by just sitting at the bus stop than she ever could have learned by traveling around the country and visiting the sites.

Joshua Bernstein, University of Maine
“I want to talk about us,” Josh said as he took the microphone. He described the various places around the world that Semester at Sea Voyagers have come from, and how this group of 700+ people is now “beginning to form a family of sorts.” Faces are becoming familiar, which he described as very comforting fact when you are exploring a foreign country. “I was so happy and relieved to see family - Semester at Sea faces.” Josh recognized the turning point our community is at right now, but he also alluded to the fact that we are still in the beginnings of our journey together. He told an interesting short story to show how we need build on our great start, which I’d like to share with you.

There was a carpenter who was about to retire, but his boss asked him to build just one more house before he ended his career. The carpenter reluctantly agreed, but because he was in a rush to retire, he did not pick out the best materials as he usually did, but instead used whatever the store had. He also did not give the same level of care or attention to detail that he had always taken in his work before. The carpenter just rushed through the project as fast as he could. When the house was finished, the carpenter’s boss met him at the front door and handed him the keys – “This house is a gift to you in honor of your retirement.” The carpenter was completely taken aback. If he had known the house would have been for him, he would have put in just as much effort as he always had.

The community that we are building on the MV Explorer is ours. Every “wall” that we build, every relationship made, will contribute to a stronger and more meaningful experience for every SAS Voyager.



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Reflections on Semester in Morocco

Reflections on Semester in Morocco

Living with a host family allowed me to improve my French, develop basic conversational Darija, enjoy Moroccan cuisine, and learn about Moroccan culture.  I will stay in touch with my host families in Rabat and Fez.  My Moroccan host mothers fervently remind me to bring my future, currently nonexistent, spouse and children to stay in the comfort of their home during my next visit, inchallah.  I know that I will always be marhaben (welcome) in the homes of my beloved Moroccan families.

I created a list of my academic goals, anticipated challenges, and expectations for personal growth for my four months in Rabat.  I enclosed the list in an envelope and gave it to the director of my campus study abroad office.  Near the midway point of the semester, I received the letter in the mail.  Reading over the list, I am satisfied with my accomplishments.  As would be anticipated with ‘study’ abroad, I have learned by living in Morocco, engaging in course work, and participating in an internship.  Interacting with my host family, friends, and the host culture have facilitated the greatest growth.


Among my academic courses, Gender and Society in North Africa and Beyond has made the greatest impact on me.  The course was predominately focused on the scholarship of feminist Muslim scholars.  The scholars we studied challenge patriarchal interpretations of the Koran and seek women’s liberation through the study and reinterpretation of religious texts by women.  The content instructed in this course contrasted with my previous studies of Western feminist movements which predominantly seek liberation through the rejection of religion, a system deemed to be innately patriarchal and oppressive.  I am eager to incorporate the knowledge I gained in Morocco into my studies in the U.S. next year.

Managing Communication in Arab Organizations: A Case Study of Morocco helped deepen my understanding of the differences in the business cultures of Arab, Africa, and Western organizations.  My experience interning at l’Association Démocratique des Femmes du Maroc (ADFM) helped illustrate the concepts and theories that we studied in class.  By translating documents from French into English, I was able to enhance my French proficiency and become more familiar with the women’s activism of the ADFM.  Based on my experience, I am more aware of the inner workings of small NGOs and feel more adept to work with international organizations like the ADFM in my future career.

It is impossible to communicate everything I learned about Morocco, myself, the world, and my place within it within the confines of this 500 word blog post.  I hope that these three examples serve as a mere introduction to the wealth of knowledge and skills I accumulated throughout the semester.  It is certainly not inclusive.

I will continue processing the experience throughout the upcoming months.  Readjustment back to the United States will be challenging.  I will miss Morocco.  Despite the physical distance, the understandings I developed will remain with me.  If fostered correctly, they will continue to grow and flourish.


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Morocco Semester Overview

Morocco Semester Overview
Study abroad program in Ifrane, Morocco conducted through an agreement with the ... Morocco: Ifrane Semester. Overview. Academics. Student Life. Details ...
Each time I go to a place I have not seen before, I hope it will be as different as possible from the places I already know.
–Paul Bowles, author of The Sheltering Sky, desert explorer, Morocco expatriate
A mere 17 miles south of Europe, across the Strait of Gibraltar, a very different experience awaits—an intriguing place of great contrast, color, culture, history, and hospitality: Morocco was the first nation to recognize the United States as an independent nation in 1777. The Moroccan-American Treaty of Friendship stands as the U.S.'s oldest non-broken friendship treaty. Signed by John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, it has been in continuous effect since 1783.

"Rooted in Africa, watered by Islam and rustled by the winds of Europe" in the words of its late King Hassan II, Morocco is a captivating and multifaceted country. If you are you motivated to learn firsthand about a culture rich in African, European, Arab, and Islamic traditions…if you are eager to explore an ecological diversity ranging from Atlantic Ocean to High Atlas Mountains to Mediterranean Coast to Saharan Desert…and if you desire close interaction with people of legendary hospitality, the Morocco semester will be intensely rewarding and enduring....


Fes
Global LAB’s Morocco immersion begins in Fes, the oldest of Morocco’s four Imperial Capitals. Founded in 808 and claimant of the “oldest university in the world” (Kairaouine Mosque, founded in 857), Fes was renowned during the Middle Ages for its achievements in Arab commerce, art, religion, mathematics, and philosophy. Today, its old city (“the medina”)—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—preserves this glory and timelessness as a living museum of how life was lived in Medieval times. In its crowded maze of alleys and markets (souqs), suffused with sensations unfamiliar, and filled with simple and profound moments, you’ll cut the surface of your adventure. Courses in Moroccan Arabic, Moroccan Culture & Society, and an Introduction to Islam will give your daily rhythms meaning and context. You’ll remain mobile throughout this first circuit of the semester with regional excursions to the blue-on-white Rif mountain village of Chefchaouen and to the Portuguese-influenced coastal town of Asilah.


The High Atlas Mountains

(Photo Credit: Alex Safos)

For the next 10 days, you’ll continue experiencing the new and superlative. You’ll travel south into North Africa’s grandest mountain range, the High Atlas, for an in situ perspective of Morocco’s oldest inhabitants, the indigenous Berbers. You’ll trek across streams and valleys, mule dirt roads, overnight in hillside-terraced villages, and ascend the highest peak in North Africa, Jebel Toubkal at 13,665 feet. Penetrating this habitat offers the privilege of witnessing a remarkably friendly and brightly dressed people, seemingly incongruent with their labor-intensive lifestyle. The unique Berber language, music, and architecture will be on vivid display for appreciation. To understand the challenges of rural development, you’ll conclude with a week engaged in community service, observing how villagers gain consensus on fundamental development needs such as shelter, food, sanitation, and potable water—and you will help fulfill some of these needs before descending out of the High
Atlas.

Fes, Part II

Next, a return to the Fes “base camp” for the celebrated conclusion of Ramadan, Islam’s holy month of fasting, self-purification, and self-restraint. Over the next several weeks, you’ll become more integrated into the fabric of this special city. Language instruction will continue (with French added as an option) and facilitate your daily interaction with Moroccans. Lectures on Moroccan anthropology, geography, and folklore will further your cultural insight and appreciation. And your ongoing medina restoration project “apprenticeships” will reveal the artisanship for which “Fassis” are famous, including Zellij tilework, intricate wood carving, and sculpted plaster work. You’ll eventually leave Fes, but Fes stays—its spirit, people, images, sounds, and smells there for you to ponder for years after.

As with every segment of the semester, time is allocated to explore a region’s diversity. During this second tour of Fes, we map routes to the south and west, including: an eco-tour of the Middle Atlas cedar forests to spot Barbary Apes; visits to the Roman ruins of Volubilis and the nearby Imperial City of Meknes; an excursion to the seaside capital, Rabat; and a trip to the cosmopolitan metropolis of Casablanca.

Marrakesh

Pushing onward to Morocco’s second largest city, Marrakesh, you plug back into an urban environment for the next semester phase. Known as “The Pearl of the South” and “The Red City”, Marrakesh stands in stark contrast to Fes’ predominantly Arab and insular feel. Here, the spirit is more frontier-like and African—certainly a reflection of its history as a depot for caravans transporting slaves, gold, and ivory from Timbuktu. Marrakesh boasts its own UNESCO-stamped medina and cultural-historical icons such as the Koutoubia Mosque and Saadian Tombs. Yet its heart and energy derive from the place and spectacle of the Djemaa el Fna, “Assembly of the Dead”—an open square where musicians, peddlers, merchants, snake charmers, fortune-tellers, acrobats, and artists co-mingle and perform day into night, every night. Marrakesh’s anything-can-happen air is nowhere thicker than here. Against this fascinating backdrop, you awaken to new layers of the Moroccan experience. An introduction to Sufism, the varied practice of Islamic mysticism, and an overview of the Arabic script comprise the academic elements for this Marrakesh circuit.

To be sure, we’ll take advantage of Marrkesh’s relative proximity to the Atlantic coast with excursions to the laid back seaside city of Essaouria, the acclaimed “Windsurfing Capital of Africa”, and a visit to the exquisitely preserved kasbahs (fortified villages of ochre mud) of Ait Benhaddou, backdrop to the epic films Lawrence of Arabia and Jesus of Nazareth, among others.

Oases and Desert

The last two weeks of the semester indulge desert fantasies and deliver an awareness of Morocco’s historic cross-continental reach. Move west across the rock-and-scrub wasteland through the Dades and Ziz Valleys and discover numerous ksour, khasbahs and cinematic date-palm oases that increasingly fleck the southern landscape, culminating in the Tafilalt region. Explore the nearly 1,000 foot high cliffs of the Todra Gorge and surrounding palmery. And begin to note the subtle textures of light and kaleidoscope effect for which Morocco is famous. Finally, our southern terminus is at Erg Chebbi, the largest sand dunes in Morocco on the doorstep of the Sahara. Here you’ll traverse by camel caravan, and encamp for a few days, under dark skies shot with starlight, with mint tea served by our Berber guides at sunrise.

Tangier and Southern Spain

The final days of the semester route you back north to Tangier, the Mediterranean resort that lured artists, musicians, authors, and aimless decadents during its moment of 20th century fame and infamy. And it is from here that you symbolically ferry yourself across the strait, into Spain, and bear witness to Morocco’s past influence, incarnate in the Moorish grandeur of The Great Mosque (“La Mezquita”) of Cordoba, founded in 785, and the 13th century Alhambra (“Red Castle”) at Grenada. Witness an Andalusian orchestral ensemble or a Flamenco dance performance. Here, East-meets-West, and the semester of experience ends…leaving you enlightened, if not transformed, by the extraordinary culture and mosaic that is Morocco.


CORE SEMESTER ELEMENTS

Language Learning
Daily language instruction. Students may choose among Moroccan Colloquial Arabic, French, and Modern Standard Arabic. Real-world, instant feedback of a native environment and plenty of support from homestay families enables a richer cultural experience and builds a foundation for further study. No prior linguistic knowledge required.

Family Homestays
There is simply no better way to gain a deep appreciation for another culture than the homestay. Global LAB's Morocco Semester includes three remarkable opportunities to share the rhythms and warmth of indigenous families: the first in the Fes medina; the second in Marrakesh; and the third in the High Atlas with overnights in Berber villages.

Community Service Projects
Gain a perspective on local community needs and instill a sense of service by working alongside citizens on fundamental projects, for example: participating in English discussion classes at schools; assisting at orphanages; promoting conservation awareness and habitat preservation; planting trees to mitigate soil erosion; helping preserve cultural resources; distributing potable water to remote areas; and observing the governance process of rural villages.

Independent Study Project and Portfolio
With the guidance of Global LAB advisors, design and pursue your own study of an area of Moroccan arts, history, spirituality, environment, folklore, or culture that interests you. The ISP culminates with a group presentation where you have the opportunity to share what you have learned, as well as a portfolio—writings, photography, video, performance, website design—that you will take home with you at the semester’s conclusion.

Credit
For high school seniors, Global LAB works closely with your school to ensure that you receive full credit for participating. University students may also be eligible for credit, and appropriate proficiency exams can be arranged through the Arabic Language Institute in Fes (ALIF).


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Meets Berber in Morocco

Meets Berber in Morocco


Morocco Berbers

Different tribes of Berbers inhabit different regions in Morocco. Drawa Berbers are found in the Draa Valley. The Dades live in the North East, The Mesgita, Seddrat and Zeri tribes are along the rives of the North West. Moroccan Rif region is home to the Ghomara.

To better know the Berbers of Morocco, book a Moroccao tour adventure, trekking in the High Atlas mountains as well as other places. Visit the palm oasis’s of the Draa Valley or explore the Sahara by camelback, just to mention a couple. You’ll visit the many villages along the way. The Berber people are incredibly friendly and will offer to share a glass of famous Moroccan mint tea or cook you a traditional Moroccan dish for your dinner.

Your Moroccan tour guide will help you chose the best route for you. Visit the markets of Marrakech or Fez and you will find many examples of Berber craftsmanship. Stunning silver jewelry by Tuareg and Amazigh artists, handmade babouches or belga made in the workshops are among the treasures you will find. If your tastes run to elegant embroidered caftans, or textiles such as Berber carpets, pillows, kilims and so forth you will find them too.

Talk to your Moroccan tour guide and operator and find your self on a vacation of your dreams. A Moroccan adventure will take you from the modern cities on the coast to Berber villages high in the Atlas or Rif Mountains where you can even trek in Chefchaouen.

You can go trekking or visit during one of the many festivals to see age-old Berber customs being practiced in today’s world. Stay in a modern riad or an ancient Kasbah. It matters not where you go in this magical land as you will find the adventure of a life time. You can customize your tour to suit your interests and needs. Book your Morocco tour and begin your adventure today.

In the past five years, I have lived in five different cities in three countries--not to mention taking an eight month world trip. If that doesn't classify as nomad status, please tell me what does. With that being said, none of my said “nomad activities” had prepared me for the Berber nomads I would encounter in the mountains of Morocco.

It was a drizzly morning, and my travel buddy Sam and I set out for a hike through Morocco's famous Todra Gorge.  Half way into our journey the wind picked up, and the blowing rain caused us to lose the hiking trail. Debating whether or not to turn back, we agreed to hike a few more yards in hopes of picking up the trail again.

We couldn’t find the trail, but we did stumble upon a settlement of three caves surrounded by stone corrals with goats and chickens running wild. I was elated! I had heard stories of the indigenous Berber nomads residing in caves throughout the Moroccan mountains, but never did I expect to personally encounter these intriguing people. I quietly crept through the village, discreetly taking pictures when I eyed a family huddled around a fire cooking in their cave. Just as I pointed this out to Sam, the father turned to notice us. Just as I reached to clutch my backpack and bolt out of the village, (for fear the family would become upset at the sight of a trespasser) the man surprised me with a waving gesture. I would have normally declined, but the idea of meeting real Berber nomads was irresistible, and knowing this would surely make a great story for Let's Go, I only had one option; to enter.

The cave was ten feet deep with a seven foot ceiling and a stack of blankets lining the back wall. I could tell it was a well-loved cave as the walls were caked in dark soot from years of fires. The husband arranged blankets at the end of the cave for us to sit on. Through an act of charades and relaying the two words we knew in Berber, (saha-thank you and besaha-cheers) we introduced ourselves and thanked the family for inviting us in.

They poured us two glasses of thyme tea and handed us bread heaping with roasted vegetables. We ate our food wide-eyed while watching the family chat and the children playing on the dirt floor. We were amazed with our luck and the opportunity to experience true nomad life. We eventually thanked the family and continued on our way. The wife was even kind enough to redirect us to the hiking trail.

For the remainder of the hike I couldn't get my mind off these nomads and their cave lives. They didn't have bank accounts, running water, or even an address. They lived off of the land, trading their handmade textiles for clothes and food from the Arab Moroccans and gathering their belongings and move to Western Sahara for the winter when the weather became too cold. Yet, here they were inviting us into their cave and sharing with us the little food they had.

I thought long about the true meaning of nomad—someone without a home, moving from place to place. While I technically fall into that category, I have to give credit to the Berbers for being much more hardcore!


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We’re Headed to Morocco

We’re Headed to Morocco



Drum roll, please… Salaam Aleikum! It’s fabulous Morocco!

(Did you already figure that out from the title? Smartie!)

With 45 percent of the vote, Morocco only edged out Peru (38%) at the very last moment. Poor Turkey was left in the dust with just 16 percent of the vote, leading me to believe that Turkey must be one of the world’s best kept secrets. Kirsten & I have both been there and loved it!

Anyhow, now it’s time for Kirsten and I to plan our upcoming trip to see all that Morocco has to offer, AND most importantly to you, to give away a spot on the trip to one lucky reader each. How exciting is that?!



A little about Intrepid Travel’s Morocco Experience

Intrepid’s Morocco Experience trip features 15 action packed days from Casablanca to Marrakech. We’ll see the snow-capped Atlas Mountains, camp in the sandy Sahara Desert, sleep in a hotel made of Saharan sand, visit the medieval old town of Fes and take a million pictures of colorful, photogenic spice markets & souqs along the way.

Did you know?

Morocco is heavily influenced by French language & culture having once been a French protectorate. Morocco gained political independence in 1956.
Morocco is the 57th largest country in the world.
Morocco has a coast on the Atlantic Ocean that reaches past the Strait of Gibraltar into the Mediterranean Sea. It is bordered by Spain to the north, Algeria to the east the and Western Sahara to the south.
Morocco is the only African country not in the African Union.
Almost all Moroccans speak Berber, Moroccan Arabic or French as mother tongues.
How to Enter

Entering to win is super easy – just follow the instructions on the Rafflecopter widget below and boom – you’re halfway there!

A few weeks ago, I notified you of the amazing flight deals to Morocco in March and April. The following day, the wife and I got to talking, and we decided, hell, why not? So we went ahead and booked the tickets, which includes a brief overnight stay in Madrid. So we are off to Morocco this Spring. I’ll certainly be sharing plenty, possibly even while I’m there, so stay tuned. Thanks LittleEarthquake.com for the amazing deal! Of course, as your benevolent blogger, I’ll continue trying to find some amazing deals for you, too. Just remember, it’s up to you to make the next move…


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Sahara and the impact in Dakhla

Sahara and the impact in Dakhla


Throughout the past years the conflict between the Saharan people and the Moroccans has stayed ablaze with their conflicts. In the Sahara which is metaphorically impossible to hear the gospel has been a place where great impact has taken place, people coming to the knowledge Christ through visions and dreams. What has caused all this amazing work that has taken place?

In the city of Dakhla I have had privilege to sit with one young guy who was a soldier for the Saharans and fought against the Moroccans, and talking to him was a little occurred with him because he wasn’t comfortable because of the nervousness of his faith and the experience he has with people, looking at him and seeing the pain of suffering within his face I made him understand that I wasn’t there to conflict but to have a chat. Talking with him he later opened about his faith in Christ and made me astonish, I later wanted to hear more about his experience he had.

I introduce myself and he later introduce himself as Hamza (to leave his real name secret because of the danger he is) Hamza spoke to me with the story of how he came to the faith.

Hamza said: “I was one day sitting under a tree and a man came to me asking what I was doing there sleeping, he later spoke to me saying I’m resting because I need rest as I am looking after the sheep, later on the man said the true rest is with the one who you will spend eternity with, I later looked at him and saying to myself, is this an Imam or a holy man speaking to me, the man told me to go back to my tent where I will find a book waiting for me there. I went back home and found that an “injil” (Bible) was there and began to read it and asked myself how can this be false? As it’s full of love, forgiveness and redemption for all humanity.

Hamza was searching for the truth and found it through Christ and later opened up to me and shared the pain he has gone through as he accepted Christ.

Following Christ is with a price of losing your life. Hamza had to change where he lived as there were people after him because of the decision that he made to follow Christ, even today the chase for his life is there. According to Hamza there are believers in the Sahara today and it through fellowship with another that builds their faith in the situation that they are in.

I had the privilege to sit with Hamza for tea and encouraged him with his faith and prayed alongside with that God will open the doors for the Sahara.

He replied, “Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Jesus Christ.



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Dakhla, Morocco

Dakhla, Morocco





Dakhla is a small town around 1000km south of Essaouira, located on a 48km long and 4km wide peninsula which stretches into the Atlantic Ocean, creating a huge lagoon.

Dakhla was founded in 1502 by Spanish settlers during the expansion of their Empire. The Spanish interest in Western Africa in desert coast of Sahara was the result of fishing activities carried out from the nearby Canary Islands by Spanish fishers and the Barbary pirates menace.
Spaniard fishers were seal fur traders and hunters, fishers and whalers in Sahara coast from Dakhla to Cabo Blanco from 1500 to present, extending by West coast of Africa to whaling humpback whales and whale calves, mostly in Cape Verde, and Guinea gulf in Annobon, São Tomé and Príncipe islands just to 1940. These fishing activities have had a negative impact on wildlife causing the disappearance or endangered of many species, it highlighting marine mammals and birds.

They established whaling stations with some cod fishing and trading. In 1881, a dock was anchored off the coast of the Río de Oro Peninsula to support the work of the Canarian fishing fleet.
However, it was not until 1884 that Spain refounded formally the watering place as Villa Cisneros, in the settlement dated in 1502 by papal bull. It was included in the enclaves conceded to the Spanish at east of the Azores islands. In 1884, the settlement was promoted by the Spanish Society of Africanists and funded by the government of Canovas del Castillo. The military and Spanish Arabist Emilio Bonelli recognized the coast between Cape Bojador and Cabo Blanco, founding three settlements in the Saharan coast: one in Villa Cisneros in honor of cardinal Francisco Jiménez de Cisneros, another in Cabo Blanco for seal hunting, which gave the name of Medina Gatell, and another in Angra de Cintra with the name of Puerto Badia, in honor of the Arabist and adventurer Domingo Badia. Bonelli got the native inhabitants of the peninsula de Río de Oro signed an agreement which placing them under the protection of Spain. Thanks to the presence of the three seatlements in December that year The Spanish government put in communication of the Collonial Powers assembled at the Berlin conference, which was adjudged possession of the territory lying between Cape Bojador and Blanco.

During the colonial period, the Spanish authorities made Dakhla the capital of the province of Río de Oro, one of the two regions of what was known as Spanish Sahara. They built a military fortress and a modern Catholic church, both of which remain points of interest for visitors to the city. A prison camp also existed here during the Spanish Civil War, at which writers such as Pedro García Cabrera were imprisoned.
During the 1960s, the Francoist dictatorship also built here one of the three paved airports in Western Sahara at Dakhla Airport. Between 1975 and 1979, Dakhla was the province capital of the Mauritanian province of Tiris al-Gharbiyya, as Mauritania annexed portion of Western Sahara. Dakhla Airport is used as public airport and by the Royal Air Maroc. The 3 km. long runway can receive a Boeing 737 or smaller planes. The passenger terminal covers 670 m² and is capable to handle up to 55,000 passenger/year.

The main economic activity of the city is fishing and tourism. In recent years the town has become a centre for aquatic sports, such as kitesurfing, windsurfing and surf casting.

The location of our brand new Club Mistral & Skyriders center is on the north-eastern coast of that peninsula.
The huge sandy lagoon provides fantastic conditions with constant winds throughout the whole year, flat water and more than enough space.
Beginners, professionals and everybody else will find kitesurfing at its best here. As an added bonus the other side of the peninsula offers perfect wave conditions which can be reached within no time by car.

Apart from kitesurfing there are many other activities which will make your stay an active and diverse one – at Club Mistral & Skyriders Dakhla you can be sure to have a fantastic holiday in an untouched environment far away from mass tourism.
Dakhla is a diamond in the rough, a new born kitesurfing mecca which you won´t find a second time in the whole wide world.


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General info about Morocco

General info about Morocco

Marrakech lies on a plain between the Middle and High Atlas mountains. It is one big oasis in a desertlike landscape. We have seen mainly palmtrees (dades) and olive trees, but also orange trees and cactusses. Except for a lot of birds we have seen some exotic animals on Jemaa el Fna square (snakes, monkeys) but they live in captivity.
Click for more information about the flora and fauna in Morocco.

In 788, about a century after the Arab conquest of North Africa, successive Moorish dynasties began to rule in Morocco. In the 16th century, the Sa'adi monarchy, particularly under Ahmad AL-MANSUR (1578-1603), repelled foreign invaders and inaugurated a golden age. In 1860, Spain occupied northern Morocco and ushered in a half century of trade rivalry among European powers that saw Morocco's sovereignty steadily erode; in 1912, the French imposed a protectorate over the country. A protracted independence struggle with France ended successfully in 1956. The internationalized city of Tangier and most Spanish possessions were turned over to the new country that same year. Morocco virtually annexed Western Sahara during the late 1970s, but final resolution on the status of the territory remains unresolved. Gradual political reforms in the 1990s resulted in the establishment of a bicameral legislature, which first met in 1997. The country has made improvements in human rights under King MOHAMMED VI and its press is moderately free. Despite the continuing reforms, ultimate authority remains in the hands of the monarch.
Morocco has a subtropical climate, tempered by oceanic influences that give the coastal regions moderate temperatures. Toward the interior, winters are colder and summers warmer, a more continental climate. At high altitudes temperatures of less than -17.8° C (0° F) are not uncommon, and mountain peaks are covered with snow during most of the year.


Rain falls mainly between November and April. Precipitation is heaviest in the northwest and lightest in the east and south. The last few years there almost has been no rain in the south and east of Morocco.
The warmest month in Marrakech is August, with temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius. We visited in September and at day it was between 32 and 40 degrees, at night between 24 and 29 degrees.
Morocco is surrounded by the Mediterranean in the north, the Atlantic Ocean in the west, Algeria in the east and Mauretania in the south. There are two mountain ranges in Morocco: the Rif Mountains and the Atlas. The Rif lies parallel to the Mediterranean coast, it's highest peak being the Tidirhine (2,456 m). It is an inaccesible range with a lot of erosion. The Atlas consists of the Middle Atlas (the northwestern range) and the High Atlas which is connected to the southern range, the Anti-Atlas. In the High Atlas, which separates the Atlantic coast from the Sahara, lies the highest peak of North Africa (Djebel Toubkal, 4,165 m). The greater part of the population lives on the fertile plains along the coast. South and east of the Atlas Mountains are dry steppes and deserts.

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Morocco Travel - A brief overview

Morocco Travel - A brief overview

Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean in the west, the Mediterranean coast in the north and the endless expanses of the Sahara desert in the south lies the Kingdom of Morocco in northwest Africa. As the geographical limits of the desert, the Atlas serves, a great mountain range that runs through the country from southwest to north east almost completely. The highest elevation in the Atlas is the Djebel Toubkal, 4,200 meters high, just south of the city of Marrakech situated. The atlas also ensures the water supply of the whole country, the peaks in the winter months, usually covered by snow,. The water is then used after thawing for irrigation Crossing the country from the capital Rabat to the east, you meet on fertile landscapes, dense cork forests and impressive rock formations. In addition to the large coastal cities in Agadir , Casablanca , Rabat and Tangier are also in the inland cities were of considerable size, such as Fez and Meknes . These centers represent the modern day Morocco and combine western lifestyle with Arab tradition. In the mountainous regions of the Atlas, however, lives the original Morocco - small nomadic tribes who live on the other livestock and from trading in carpets and traditional handicrafts.

Morocco - A valley in the Atlas Mountains


South of the Atlas finally starts the Moroccan desert, which in turn forms part of the Sahara desert. She acted in the past as a bridge between Europe and Africa and was therefore covered by numerous trade routes. The outskirts of the desert are lined with large palm oasis with lush vegetation and provide a wonderful backdrop for vacationers. head of Morocco's King Mohammed VI in 1999, eldest son of King Hassan II, who died in the same year, suddenly and unexpectedly. . The new young king is very popular with his people and is committed to the democratization of the country and to strengthen the rights of women nevertheless determined the religion - Islam - still a large part of the lives of Moroccans. Ramadan is strictly observed, as a rule, made ​​pilgrimages to Mecca and the daily prayers must not be missing for most Moroccans. A great holiday is the Feast of Sacrifice "Aid el-Kebir," which reminds us of the goodness of God who allowed Abraham to sacrifice him to a ram instead of his son. The festival is held annually in December and enchants its visitors with happy, singing and dancing people roaming the streets and houses. The culinary highlight is the hard one - no one shall suffer hunger on this day, therefore the delicious dishes interspersed with each other. For travelers, Morocco is a paradise. Whether beach holiday on the mile-long sandy beaches, or Morocco tours with ever-changing attractions. Here in Morocco, everyone finds their dream vacation. Spend your vacation in Morocco - a land of history, style, and many fascinating faces!


Holidays in Morocco

Make holiday in Morocco? I only go away - that is to say that many a. Too large, the prejudice against an Islamic holiday destination. Why is it just a very modern Islamic state, Morocco, in which religion is lived though - they are nevertheless open to Western culture.

220,000 German tourists spent a holiday in Morocco in 2012. That is 80,000 more visitors than they did seven years ago. The trend is upward and stops, and the dawn of the "Arab Spring" has not changed anything. Besides the typical Badeurlauben in the seaside resorts on the Atlantic coast and the Mediterranean, especially Morocco tours are always popular.




The tourist infrastructure is very good. Hotels and Riyadh `s are available in various categories from luxury accommodation to simple accommodation option is to find everything.

Many hotels offer water sports are offered in addition to the typical and extensive spa treatments.

Spa & Thalasso therapy, or even a visit to a traditional hammam, massages and relaxing - just try it once.

Who leaves his hotel complex once may plunge into the magic of 1001 when he strolls in picturesque old towns with winding streets, where you can marvel at ancient crafts preserved. The smells of the markets in which not only spices with all other possible trades are indescribable.

Morocco does a lot for tourism. The population is informed about the "right" deal with tourists, it stops to cleanliness in the towns.

Morocco opens up the original, especially the one who chooses for his vacation a trip around Morocco. But even in the mountainous hinterland of Morocco brings some of the growing tourism modernity, and especially new sources of revenue for the Berbers who live here.

Morocco has many faces - but once they get to know your Morocco holiday.


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Imperial Cities & Deserts

Soak up the atmosphere in Marrakech's famous Djemaa el Fna, explore Ait Benhaddou - the legendary fortified Kasbah, star gaze in the vast and silent Sahara desert and step back in time in Fes - the world's oldest medieval city.

Day 1: Marrakech

Arrival in Marrakech airport where you will be met by the On the Go guide and transferred to your hotel or riad in the centre of town. Meet your guide for a tour briefing and then spend the rest of the day at leisure. Explore the vibrant Djemaa el Fna square in the evening with the snake charmers, story tellers , food stalls and souks all in full swing. Overnight - Marrakech

Day 2: The Old Medina of Marrakech

This morning enjoy a guided tour or Marrakech, taking in all of the highlights of the Medina (old city centre) - the Koutoubia Mosque, palaces, souks and the old mellah (Jewish quartier). In the afternoon perhaps a visit to the peaceful Jardins de Majorelle to relax. Overnight - Marrakech (B)

Imperial Cities & Deserts - 10 days Go Guide : :Check out the go guide for details of the tour, info on visas, climate, money, what to bring and more!

Day 3: Ouarzazate

Marrakech - Aït Benhaddou - Ouarzazate. It's an early start today when the transportation and your mountain guide arrives at the Hotel to take you towards the desert. From the flat plain of Haouz, the route climbs southwards and up to the passes of the High Atlas mountains. Along twisty roads with marvellous views and over the high point before descending to the rocky red foothills near Ouarzazate. En route to Ouarzazate we visit Ait Benhaddou, an ancient fortified city, boasting beautiful examples of Kasbahs, some of which remain inhabited today. Granted UNESCO World Heritage Listing, the site has been the setting for many films including Lawrence of Arabia and Gladiator. Night in the Ouarzazate, the film capital of Morocco. Overnight - Ouarzazate (B)

Day 4: Discover the Sahara

Ouarzazate - Erg Chebbi sand dunes. The journey continues along the valley of the Roses and the Skoura oasis, passing Amerdhil Kasbah. Stop for lunch in the scenic gorge du Dades before continuing towards the Sarhro mountains and the first signs of the Sahara. Along the route there are Khettara , the ancient wells dug by the nomads to find water, now dry. Finally we reach Merzouga at the foot of the great sand dune Erg Chebbi. Time to watch the sun set and the sand change colour as night falls. Spend the night in an Auberge. Overnight - Erg Chebbi (B)

Day 5: Opt for a Saharan Camel Trek

Erg Chebbi - Merzouga. Enjoy a relaxing day at leisure. Perhaps climb up Erg Chebbi before dawn to see the sunrise over the dunes, or enjoy a a lie in and take a camel trek across the rolling sand dunes later in the afternoon. Overnight -Merzouga (B)

Day 6: Scenic drive to Fes

Merzouga - Fes. Take a long but very scenic drive today, heading north from the desert and up into the High Atlas past the Ziz Gorge. Past Midelt, the route crosses a grassy plain (in winter) where Nomads of the tribe Ait Atta Tafoukht can be seen pitching their tents and finding grazing for their camels and goats. The road carries on over the next set of mountains – the Middle Atlas and another facet of morocco is seen, the Cedar forests. Ancient forests that cloak the hills and are inhabited by monkeys, wild boar and deer. Finally we descend into Ifrane (a swiss style town and ski resort)and continue onward to Fes. Overnight - Fes (B)

Day 7: Fes

Fes is the oldest and largest medieval city in the world and a bustling hive of activity. This morning take a guided tour around the incredible, old medina - a heady mix of aromas, sounds and sights from the tanneries, spice tubs, pottery and donkeys! Enjoy free time in the afternoon to explore independently. Overnight - Fes (B)

Day 8: Roman City of Volubilis

Fes - Volubilis - Rabat. Today we leave Fes to see the ruins of the Roman city of Volubilis, past the fields of lentils and chickpeas, into the hills around this well preserved city where its possible to explore the mosaics and forum. After lunch you pass Moulay Idriss and set off for Rabat. Spend the night in the Capital of Morocco. Overnight - Rabat (B)

Day 9: Djemaa el Fna by night

Rabat - Marrakech. You will have free time in the morning to explore Rabat before heading back past Casablanca to Marrakech. Arriving into Marrakech early evening there will be time for you to do some last minute souvenir shopping! Overnight - Marrakech (B)

Day 10: Marrakech

All good things come to an end and it's time to head home. Transfer to airport included. (B)

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Free Time in Morocco

Free Time in Morocco
If you asked me to describe what a regular day in Morocco might look like for me, I don’t think I could do it. Each day seems to have an adventure of its own. Of course, I have classes every day, but even those aren’t a reliable basis for a steady schedule as one class meets just once a week, two classes meet twice a week, one class meets three times a week, and so on. Even the way I spend my time in between classes can turn out quite differently. Sometimes it’s homework, other times it’s connecting with friends, and yet other times its going out to grab a snack from a hanute (small corner shop), tea, or if I’m feeling particularly hungry, chawarma.

                Sometimes it seems that simply stepping out the door opens another to an adventure, no matter how small. Of course, part of this feeling may just be that there are so many new things to look at, even in heavily westernized Rabat, that I think everything is new and interesting. Still, it’s not hard to find a new experience, even if it’s only talking to someone on the street. People in Morocco are so open and welcoming it’s not hard to strike up a conversation with a complete stranger. So far, my friends and I have discussed religion (and have been told numerous times to consider converting to Islam), the Western Sahara (depending on who you ask, the Moroccan Sahara), language, and have scheduled a pick-up soccer game (yet to be played), just to name a few subjects of conversation. Aside from the daily conversations, there is an endless amount of cafes to explore, and the whole maze-like medina (old city) that I can spend hours exploring without getting bored.

                At first, you may think that there are more cafes than there are people, but you quickly realize during the busiest times that this is not the case. Every café will have most of their tables occupied as people come to relax and enjoy a cup of coffee or tea. It didn’t take long for me to also grow accustomed to this amazing custom. I spend a lot of time at cafés as they are useful both for socializing with friends and for a change of scenery when I need to get large amounts of homework done.

                About once a week my schedule will allow me to go surfing, which has quickly become one of my favorite ways to spend my free time. Learning how to surf has always been one of my goals, and thanks to my proximity to the beach, it’s now possible. I’ve started learning at the man-made beach just underneath the city’s Kasbah where the breakwaters yield small waves perfect for complete beginners. However, I hope to move over to the next beach where I can practice on bigger waves as I progress with the basics of surfing.


                One thing I had no idea I would do when I came to Morocco is to teach English, but when I learned about the opportunity I jumped at it. I had no experience teaching English and therefore was slightly apprehensive at first about exactly how I would be able to teach, but the program coordinators quickly reassured us that some of the best English teachers (or teachers of any language) use only English to teach. Furthermore, the students that my friend and I have been teaching already know enough English to be conversational, so the main goal now is to find activities that will challenge them to practice new grammar and vocabulary.

                Café-sitting, surfing, and teaching are three consistent activities I know I’ll continue to do for the rest of my time here. However, who knows what will happen with the rest of my free time-I’m sure that I’ll have many more awesome adventures and experiences.


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A brief consideration of cultural differences in morocco

A brief consideration of cultural differences in morocco

Cultural considerations are important here, too, since Marrakech residents, like most Moroccans, expect visitors to dress modestly. ... Visitors should bring short-sleeved shirts, knee-length shorts and jeans or pants in light-weight materials .

I was curious about what results Google would pull up when I searched for “Morocco” and “Earth Day.” According to The Independent, a British news source, Morocco is the first “African, Muslim, and Arab state” to participate in the US-led Earth Day initiative. However, this initiative only began in 2010, and Morocco still has a lot of work to do to ensure that their portion of the Earth stays clean. There are countless things I love about Morocco, but one thing I am less enthusiastic about is the dirt and smells that abound in the major cities, like Rabat. While my travelling experience is limited and I imagine that many other countries struggle with the cleanliness of their cities, my time in Morocco has helped me to appreciate the general emphasis on the cleanliness of cities in the States.
                I suppose this aspect may simply be a reflection of Morocco’s different infrastructural priorities. Morocco is busy updating other public services – for example, the glamorous new city tram in Rabat was completed only a couple years ago. The tram is a handy and inexpensive way to travel through the city, passing by the medina (old city) and through the new parts of Rabat as well. It’s fascinating to me to see the tram pass by the medina walls, some of which are several centuries old – it’s a clear example of the intricate relationship between modern and traditional. This dichotomy manifests itself in numerous ways, not the least of which is socially.


Bab al-Had tram stop in Rabat
                While Morocco is, if anything, a country with a culture nearly impossible to accurately describe, it’s safe to say that some of the biggest differences can be found between the rural and the urban. One obvious difference is the lack of modern amenities in the countryside and the abundance of sprawling villas hidden by walls that are ornately decorated and covered with lush vines and bushes, effectively protecting against prying eyes. However, the differences extend more deeply than this. While I find Moroccans, on the whole, to be very welcoming, one thing the cities seem to lack, or at least have noticeably less of, is the classic Moroccan hospitality which has earned a well-deserved reputation all over the world. People in the country side may have less in the way of material goods, but they will be quicker to invite you to share their meal and offer you a place to sleep.
                Another obvious difference is the styles of dress. While traditional dress (jellebah) is still common in the major cities, even highly-westernized Rabat, traditional dress is worn almost exclusively in rural areas. Even within the city, however, you find an interesting blend of the old and new: women wearing jeans and a head dress. This style is by no means new but can still be rather contentious as conservative Muslims might suggest that the fittedness of pants is inappropriate. Still yet there are countless others who wear exclusively western clothes: shorts, skinny jeans, low-cut shirts, and t-shirts with all manner of logos and advertisements.
                Again, these aspects are just two small fish in the sea of diversity that is Morocco. (I hope to expand on the concept of diversity and the relationship between traditionalism and modernization at a later time.)  I may miss one minor aspect of home, but I am enthralled by the beauty of Moroccan society


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