Just over a year ago, I was sweating my buns off in Morocco. It was incredible! There will be quite a lot to say when I take a step by step view of it later on, I just couldn't help but reminisce about some of my favorite moments .

Morocco was my first time in Africa and as you might expect in early September, it was HOT! Most of the trip was about 105-degrees, and while it was a dry heat, it was pretty brutal in the sun. Thankfully the amazing trip leaders at OAT know to do the activities in the morning and let you relax in the shade/AC in the afternoon.

We started our journey in Rabat, a very modern and beautiful city. Moving within 2 days to one of my favorite spots, Fez! I wish we'd had at least one more day there, but that just means it's on my list to return. While not the safest of tourist cities, it is quite beautiful with an amazing medina (market) and incredible history. Like many old cities, there was a certain location within the city for different things - somewhere to get textiles, leather, metalworks, etc. And much of this still exists, at least in part.

We visited the tannery and learned about the different types of leather that are made, how they are made, and why the smell on a 100-degree day (or anytime really) is so pleasant. As it turns out, what makes the leather so soft is pigeon poop! We were given sprigs of mint as "gas masks" - and much needed!

After Fez, we made our way through the country by bus - and after another stop, we made our way into the desert (yes, I'm skipping a lot). We spent two incredible nights in the middle of the Sahara desert and while I'd like to say we were roughing it, it was glamping for sure. We had everything short of AC - a beautiful tent with a bed, working toilet, shower, sink, electricity. It was an oasis. There wasn't a lot to do, but it didn't matter. The scenery was enough. Though there were quite a few sandstorms coming through (which I found out means it's raining somewhere else in the desert nearby), the desert seemed endless. In one direction, we were able to street straight across the border to Algeria.

The first morning there, we took an hour-long camel ride, which if you know, you know this was not my favorite, but it's truly an experience! I've ridden camels twice before, but both on flat ground. This was a true trek into the desert with only one other caravan in sight. While I may have been quite a bit scared at the start - everyone took great care of us.

What made me think back to this trip, was September 11 this year. Our second, and final morning in the dessert, was September 11, 2016. Standing in the desert, in an Arabic country, on this of all days, really made me think. It made me think about fear and hate and love and strength and perseverance. Later that night in a cushy hotel, I'd find one of the most amazing documentaries I've ever seen about that tragic day. But that morning, as our trip leader led us in a moment of silence, I couldn't help but think about where I stood. As our trip leader said, September 11 didn't just change life in the USA, but it changed the world. And much of the world stood with us then, and still stands with us now. Life changed for everyone around the world and there, in the middle of an Arabic land, we stood together.

I'm skipping a lot here, but that was one moment I couldn't pass up. We finished our trip out in Marrakesh - a vibrant, lively and while very touristy, incredible city. My trip leader even hired a bellydancer for our final meal, a treat for our whole group (and I got to show off some skills). I'll get back to the final days of my Europe trip soon, but I had to take a little detour to Africa. Hope you enjoyed!

A break from Europe - Morocco Times!