This trip to Morocco has impressed me as much as the first trip 5 months ago – – but in way different ways. The first time I had no idea what to expect. This time, I not only know what to expect (for the most part) but I recognize places I’ve been. Even the most obscure places. It’s surprising how much really stuck in my mind from the first time. The realization of how much I love it here and how at home I feel surprises me. I am comfortable stumbling through the language(s), both French and Arabic. I am comfortable with the food, with the flow of things, with the people.

This trip has been very similar to my first trip so far; at least as far as the places visited. Where it has been different has been with what Mokhtar has decided to do at each place. For example we drove quite a distance off the beaten path into tiny Berber villages and stayed with a family at their Riad in Boutahar. We played with the children, made couscous for dinner with them, and the sister’s friend applied henna to Debbie and I. We laughed around the dinner table, helped them clean up, took photos with the children, and watched TV. It was amazing. Next day we drove off, off, off road again and went through rough terrain in the middle of nowhere and saw nomads, camels, gorgeous geology (!), and listened to silence. Honestly, one of the most amazing things I’ve ever done! More later…with photos…