Morocco… where should I start? When I thought of Morocco, I didn’t think of anything special, maybe desert and camels or maybe busy streets. Nothing stood out to me.
But how wrong I was! Morocco turned out to be an incredible surprise on my photographic and personal journey. It was a tough nut to crack, but well worth it.
Let me tell you a little more about this enchanting country — you’ll love it!
CULINARY COMPASS
Morocco is intense, and its cuisine reflects its core! The food is incredibly delicious, with intense smells and sweet flavours: a total feast for the taste buds! Wow!
I’ll start with the most famous dish: Tajine. You’d be amazed at the power of a simple Tajine on your dinner table: is a social experience that brings people together.
Moroccan bread, its history and the way it’s made have earned it the nickname for ‘the best bread in the world’; couscous and lentils are widely used, giving rise to salads and endless delicious combinations.
Finally, the soups: hearty and packed with vegetables, showcasing the essence of Moroccan cuisine.
There isn’t a meal that I haven’t smiled at, that I haven’t shared, that I haven’t really enjoyed. Through the food we were able to travel through the essence of Morocco and Berber culture: intense, rich and varied!
LANDSCAPE CONTRAST
I was far from imagining the immensity of Morocco, far from realising that one country could have such a variety of landscapes!
When arriving, Marrakech’s hustle was predictable, but the sheer expanse of the desert and the grandeur of the Moroccan mountains were something else.
Our journey was short but there was time to see all these sights. After leaving the city we headed into the desert and the next day the whole group got up at 5am to watch the sunrise.
I can assure you that waking up in the desert and being kissed by the sunrise in the middle of the Atlas Mountains is an experience I will never forget.
The final destination before returning to Marrakech was the mountains, and as a mountain enthusiast, the Moroccan peaks stole my heart. I realized how much I’d have missed out on by believing common misconceptions about this beautiful country.
I remember that one of our group members was a geologist, and she brought the landscape to life, reading the rocks like a storybook.
This trip was an eye-opener — turned out to be a surprising and deeply inspiring adventure.
MOUNTAIN PEOPLE
I can’t talk about this subject without my heart melting with love and longing for the mountains and their people. Visiting the Berber villages was a delight, revealing their rich traditions and beliefs. Moroccan people can be reserved, shaped by their religion and the constant influx of tourists. But in the mountains, away from the city’s hustle, I had the best experiences.
We met such wonderful people, full of charisma and curiosity, drank so much tea and enjoyed delicious meals. Unlike crowded Marrakech, the mountains felt more relaxed and welcoming.
I’ll never forget Hussein, our trekking guide in Imlil, who welcomed us into his home, and Ahmed with his beautiful jewelry shop. Abdou, the young carpet seller, and Abdelfatah, with his unique personality, also left a lasting impression.
These memories warm my heart, reminding me of the power of connection and breaking down stigmas. I come alive when I look at the photographs of this place, and I regret not having gone sooner.
If I ever go back to Morocco, the mountain people are the reason I did!
SAIDA BERBER HOUSE
When speaking of the mountain people, the main character is undoubtedly Saida.
An emancipated and independent woman from Amizmiz, she is a symbol of determination and inspiration. Despite the odds, Saida believed in herself and succeeded, becoming a pillar of her community. A long-time friend of our tour leader, Tânia, Saida’s story is full of resilience and empowerment.
We were greeted with a table full of delicious tajines and bread, we rested in the comfort of her beautifully decorated outdoor space and at the end she took us on a tour of her property — sharing with us the ways in which Berber bread and Moroccan tapestries are made.
As a Muslim woman, Saida’s journey is a testament to overcoming barriers and achieving greatness — as being a stronghold for a large part of her community.
In September 2023, shortly after our visit, an earthquake struck Morocco, severely affecting Saida’s village and home. Our tour leader launched a GoFundMe, raising nearly €7,000 in a less than a month! This incredible response showed the deep sense of community and empathy these trips foster.
Fortunately, little by little, with this help and many friendly hands on the ground, Saida was able to rebuild her home and return to work not long after.
When we plant kindness, we can only harvest incredible rewards, and Saida is great proof of that!
I still say to this day that Morocco opened many doors for me and was the start of a love for travelling outside the box. Something I needed and didn’t know!
This was my first trip with my professional camera and I didn’t really know what to expect. I really had no experience or work ethic when it came to travel photography and the Moroccan people were a challenge.
I’m grateful to have met such beautiful people both outside and inside and to have had the pleasure of seeing Moroccan landscapes from such an intimate perspective.
I would do it all over again, time and time again, Morocco is so worth it!
