Not sure where to begin. I spent a few weeks in Morocco, Africa. On my 3rd day there I caught an infection which later grew into a severe form of bronchitis. I was in a lot of pain and there were days when I had no energy to even hold 1 of my smallest cameras. Thankfully antibiotics did the work (eventually, when I was able to visit a hospital in one of small towns, to see what’s happening) and I am fully recovered now.
It was definitely an experience of a lifetime!
During the day it’s pretty warm there with about 16-21C, but the temperature would get down to about +4C at night and in some areas I’ve had to experience -5C while having no heat. Electricity and hot water seems like an expensive commodity in rural areas and not many people have constant access to it. In hotels, electricity and water is shut off during the night. Luckily, winter does not last long and during the summer the temperature is extremely hot 24/7. Although I can’t really comment on summer food, in the winter, meats such as chicken,beef and lamb are very popular,along with tajine, rice,olives,vegetable soup,couscous and bread. Areas near the ocean tend to consume more seafood. You can buy fish from a market and have them cook it for you just the way you like it. I loved the lamb kabobs! I am not sure why, but it doesn’t have that pungent taste and smell. It’s extremely delicious! Mint tea and coffee are very popular drinks and unlike coffee shops in other countries, they are served in very tiny cups. Prices for a cup of coffee or tea ranges from about 0.30 cents to a more common ~$1-1.30 , even for locals. Definitely not cheap. A lot of locals(pretty much just men) spend a lot of time at coffee shops with their friends. Women are mostly found near their homes, working, doing chores and taking care of children.
As in some other countries, photography is very difficult as nobody in general likes to have their photo taken. Women and girls usually quickly cover their face as soon as they even see a camera.
I have here almost all the pictures I was able to take. There’s a bit more information provided under certain images with more explanation.
Portrait, taken in a town near Sahara.
Meknes,Morocco
Nomad Woman is standing inside her home.
Nomad girl
Streets of Meknes
Night skies with star clusters I captured in Sahara Desert at around 10pm. It was beautiful!! Wish I could stay more, but I barely had any energy to hold the camera
Streets of Fez
Rooftops in Fez, Morocco
Fez, birds-view of the rooftops.
Tannery in Fez. This is where they dye leather products you find at markets in the country. Unfortunately it doesn’t work very well and when you bend say a leather belt, it leaves a permanent mark. Belts or bags may have not very pleasant smell. They use urine for tanning… You absolutely can’t get rid of the smell. I tried every possible solution for a small bag I bought.
Men working at a Tannery in Fez. It’s located in the Old Medina
Berber Tribe. Mother with her child. Photo was taking in Atlas Mountains at about 8000 feet above sea level
Amazing view,including 100s of baboons @ 6,000 feet above sea level
Street food is delicious. I took a picture of a man cooking my lamb kabobs ($3 for a meal)
Kids are playing at school’s playground… I found it very creative,considering there are no other toys available.
Photo of the classroom in Morocco. As in many countries, schools are quite underfunded. Girls are being a bit shy and it took a while for some of them to open their faces.
Sahara Desert
Sahara Desert Sunrise.I woke up at 6am in my cold tent with a fever and headache, but could not pass an opportunity to see the beautiful Sahara Desert sunrise
Goats on an Argan tree. Believe it or not it’s a popular thing to see in Morocco. Goats climb the tree in search of the seeds. Wait,there’s more!
Some locals collect the droppings and press Argan oil from them,which is either consumed internally or used as external medicine. One of these(not in the photo) quickly got from the ground to the top in a few seconds.
Farmer,Morocco
Essaouira, Morocco Wind and sand is quick to take all the paint away from the buildings.
barber shop
Sweets for sale at Marrakesh’s market. On the right is a picture of Mohammed VI, who is currently the king of Morocco. It seemed to be loved by many as pictures of them are everywhere(restaurants, houses, streets,restaurants and shops)
photo of a market in Marrakesh. You can see performances, buy useless gifts and eat street food. The funny thing is, a lot of things they sell here is made in China 🙂