Morocco

What I love about Morocco -

The geometry of the Medinas - angles and shapes and layers.

The patina and gentle shades that compose the palette of the country. Soft, worn golds, peaches, tans, whitewashed walls, soft blues, all accented with brilliant mosaics and tilework.

Women in all forms of hijab and djellaba, like brightly colored birds.

Breakfasts of fig and apricot preserves, coffee with boiled milk and sugar cubes, various breads from rough peasant bread made with corn meal to refined French crepes.

Birds everywhere.

Tidy orchards of olive trees, apricots and oranges.

Small, proper glasses of sweetened mint tea, served hot, every couple hours.

Street cats letting you know that you are in their spot at the street cafe, and that you may stay if you give them a bite of what you're eating.

The pride the residents of the Medinas take in their homes, the labrynth streets and passageways. Always tidy and clean, and freshly swept.

Speaking a mixture of English, French and Arabic wherever I go.

The ease of catching a petit taxi, which will zip you anywhere in the city for about $1.

The tentative nature of prices - the fully engaging process of making purchases, bartering for your price and haggling.

Passing through countrysides where you still see sheep with their shepherds, men with their heavily weighted burros, catching a nap in a poppy-strewn field.


What I miss about home, wherever that is.

Sidewalks one can walk in a straight line on. (Moroccans zig and zag and take no notice of who they are cutting off or bumping into.)

Japanese food.

Unsweetened tea.

Greens - spinach, kale, chard.

Ginger.

My kitchen.

Friends (naturally).

Family (naturally).

Easy access to the brands I'm used to - Aveda, Lush, Lucky Brand... shops like Zappos, Amazon, etc.

Nothing I couldn't live without if I were to, say, come back for an extended amount of time next year! Ahem!