Salam alaikum!
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Greetings from Morocco
This past weekend, I had the privilege of traveling to Morocco with my IES program, and it was an amazing and eye-opening experience. Because Morocco is so close to Spain, it was surprisingly easy to get there, and it was wild to think that after a 1-hour ferry ride, I had crossed the Strait of Gibraltar and was in Africa.
From the moment I stepped off the ferry, I could tell that this trip would teach me a lot, and it did. I got to experience a culture not only different from the US, but also different from the one I’ve grown used to in Spain. I could hear Moroccan Arabic everywhere, and because Morocco is a Muslim country, I got to experience the call to prayer and Iftar (which is the breaking of the fast during Ramadan).
The goal of this trip was to better understand the culture of Morocco, in addition to seeing the sights, which I enjoyed! From going to a Hammam (traditional bath), chatting with local students, and eating lunch at a family’s home in a rural village, I feel like I got a glimpse into Moroccan culture in addition to seeing iconic ruins and places like Chefchaoen (the “blue city”).
We spent our first night in Tangier and tried our first of many Moroccan dishes, as well as Moroccan tea (a delicious, sweet mint flavor, which I had at basically every meal). The second day was a fun combination of experiences. From visiting a women’s education center and hearing how they’re empowering local women through artwork and education, to seeing the beach town of Asilah and riding a camel, we did a lot!
Saturday night, we arrived in Rabat and met our host families, who met us with kindness and warmth. While the language barrier made communicating with our host mom difficult, she made us feel so welcome. A special shoutout to my teenage host sister, who knew three languages, was so kind, and showed us around the city while her younger brother rollerbladed!
This trip was a tangible reminder that curiosity is valuable, and that there’s a lot of power in a smile. While there were situations that stretched me, the trip was marked by new food, good group bonding (including some fun new games), and experiences I wouldn’t have been able to facilitate on my own.
While we were shopping in Chefchaoen during our last night, one of the shopkeepers said something so beautiful: “We are all family.” And on Monday, as we sat in the living room of a woman who had lived her whole life in rural Morocco, someone asked her for life advice. In that moment, I was struck by the reality that even though we couldn’t talk to her without the help of a translator, she’s a mom, a daughter, and a friend. Just like my mom. There’s a universality there that is beautiful.
I guess all of that to say, being in a place where the language, religion, food, and lifestyle felt so different from what I’m familiar with was a sweet reminder that people are more similar than they are different. If you ever get the opportunity to travel to Morocco, I highly recommend it!
Here’s to the beauty of experiencing new cultures! Shukran (thank you), Morocco!
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