A glass of steamy mint tea, a spoon of golden honey, a splash of magical orange blossom, an impromptu dance session listening to the irresistible notes of Chaabi (popular music) or flipping through a beautiful photography book.
These options are not mutually exclusive: more is more.
My latest book - Living in Morocco by Lisl Dennis and Landt Dennis held me captive, though not through its breathtaking images of diverse Moroccan scenes, but through one sentence that summarized everything I saw: “there is not one but three Moroccos”.
Indeed. Three Moroccos, varied in their uniqueness but united in the same core values.
The Morocco of the medinas or Imperial Cities, basking in centuries-old sophistication and architecture. Mysterious cities made up of narrow alleys and soaring walls that shield passersby from the scorching sun. You might walk right by any of these ordinary-looking wooden doors, but they only appear unimpressive at first glance. Once inside, the doorways reveal hidden havens of beauty that stand in stark contrast to the hot and dusty alleyways. Stepping into another world, you remove your shoes and feel the colorful zellige (tiles) underfoot. Don’t forget to run your fingers over the door, feeling its intricately carved wood, as you leave.