On the fringe of town, lies the twice-weekly open marketplace, called a souk. (Currently, also the location of the somewhat creepy carnival — photo on right). When it is not in operation, it is simply an open area which, at least in the south, is a vast expanse of sand and dust. The souk being what it is, it always accumulates tremendous amounts of trash. … Continue reading Recreation Reclamation
Insha’Allah, this will be a good post. I’ve been wanting to write a post about this for a long time. I’ve put it off again and again. I didn’t feel like I sufficiently understood the complexities of the phrase or its significance to the Moroccan people. I have come to love the phrase and wanted to ensure I gave it the respect it deserves. Simply … Continue reading Insha’Allah (إن شاء الله)
Near Ouarzazate, known within country as the Moroccan Hollywood, within the foothills of the High Atlas Mountains, lies an old fortified city called Ait Ben Haddou. The name, roughly translated, means “the clan of the son of Haddou.” Lying at the southern foothills of the High Atlas Mountains and being proximal to trade routes, including access to Marrakech just over the Tizi N’Tichka Pass, the village … Continue reading Ait Ben Haddou
It’s strange to be writing this so late, but somehow I neglected to write a post about my time in Ouarzazate and its environs a few months back. The whole area is quite lovely and peaceful. In fact, the word ‘Ouarzazate” means “without noise” or “peaceful” in the native Tamazight language. Known also as the Moroccan Hollywood, it has several production studios in town where dozens of movies … Continue reading Ouarzazate and Its Environs