In Marrakech, Djemaa el-Fna market is filled with performers and henna artists. I got my two hands done for about 80 Moroccan Dirhams, which is about 10 dollars. The woman let me choose from a book of designs. It took about ten minutes and the henna lasted for a week.

The whole transaction was simple even without any knowledge of French or Arabic. Continue reading

I studied abroad in Morocco for three months in the spring of 2008, and had a wonderful time there. I recommend Morocco to anyone who can get there. Morocco is home to an interesting intersection of cultures - Arab Islam from the Middle East, French cafes and fashion styles, and music and dance influenced by Sub-Saharan Africa, to name a few. Continue reading

Mint Tea, chickpeas roasted with Cumin, Berber whiskey on cold desert nights, headscarves and a very special discount for my neighbor from down in South Africa... A few weeks traveling through Morocco and these are a few things that have been imprinted in my mind.

A last minute decision to spend New Year's in the Erg Chigaga dunes of the Sahara in Berber tents in the heart of the desert was some of the best money I spent. Continue reading