I had made plans to travel to and stay in London a few months earlier, but circumstances being as they were, I needed to change plans and decided to begin in Dover. What began as an inconvenience turned into one of my more amazing trips. Instead of remaining within the city, I explored the countryside…
My first tajine, which I made to mark the start of Ramadan 2015. It had potatoes, zucchini, onions, tomatoes and olives.
Reason 1,049 Why Love Morocco: The tajine. Not the meal, but the cookware. I’m so integrated at this point that I don’t know how I’ve live my adult years without one. I use it every day. It’s a pressure cooker, a crock-pot, a deep-fryer, popcorn maker, and “microwave” all in one. It’s truly a wonder.
A fairly typical entry changing area
Reason 1,037 Why I Love Morocco: For $8 I can have a day at the spa (hammam) complete with a man who washes me, scrubs me, then gives me a soap massage.
The last two years, I’ve spent the Islamic holiday Eid Al-Adha with Moroccan friends and families. For this one, I decided to roam around a bit and see the environs of the Beni Mellal area and maybe find a blind camel. Though I’d been in most every region of Morocco, I had yet to adequately…
My newly arranged salon.
Reason 1,019 Why I Love Morocco: Housekeepers (at least mine) feel emboldened to rearrange the house in various configurations both experimental and recommended. It’s like living in a new apartment every week, though admittedly it takes me sometimes a day to skillfully adapt to my new surroundings.
Fresh oysters was just the beginning…
Reason 1013 Why I Love (Oualidia) Morocco: $70 buys you twelve large oysters, two medium lobsters, one large crab, clams, shrimp, and four sole all grilled on your terrace by the fisherman who caught them hours before.
Note: This post was begun months ago during the end of summer, but life became complicated so its final edits and publication were postponed again and again. Every week, it seems, I discover yet another amazing aspect of Morocco. Over the course of the last few weeks, I’ve had a chance to explore the coastline…
Typical dentist sign
Reason 999 Why I Love Morocco: A professional, quality teeth cleaning done by the dentist himself is only $40 and a new ceramic crown is a mere $400. Even better, my insurance should cover most of it.
Moroccan butcher in Agadir
Reason 933 Why I love Morocco: Despite the rapid move toward modernization, especially in the massive metropolis of Casablanca, there remains a culture of trust and goodwill that permeates informal relationships.
The latest of innumerable examples: My local butcher, who’s known me only a week or so, sent me away with my purchase, even though I’d forgotten my money, and told me I could pay when I able. Incha’Allah.
Moroccan sweet mint tea
Reason 902 Why I Love Morocco: Befriending the neighborhood mint seller means a standing invitation for tea.
