Many have called Morocco home, including the Romans, Phoenicians, Arabs, and the indigenous Amazighs (Berbers). An eclectic Muslim country whose cities combine cosmopolitan modernities with ancient palaces and medinas, Morocco seamlessly blends European and Arab culture. Located in the extreme northwest of Africa, just ten miles across the Strait of Gibraltar from mainland Europe, its geographic diversity spans from the Atlantic coast to the Atlas Mountains and the vast Sahara desert.

The official languages of Morocco are Moroccan Arabic and Tamazight. The Moroccan dialect of Arabic that locals use is called darija. Morocco is a former French protectorate and French is known as the unofficial second language of Morocco and is widely spoken. There are Spanish cities located in northern Morocco, and many people in the north speak Spanish due to the former Spanish colonization in the region. Tamazight is the main language spoken in our Amazigh (Berber) village, along with Moroccan Arabic (darija), Classical Arabic, and French.

We spend most of our time in Morocco in the high desert region at 6,000 feet of elevation. In the summer, the weather is generally hot and dry with daytime temperatures ranging between 70–90°F (21–32°C). The evening and nighttime bring cooler temperatures between 40–60°F (4–15°C).

Moroccan dishes are a vegetarian-friendly blend of Arabic and French cuisine. They consist largely of traditional tagine (a vegetable or meat stew), couscous, and freshly baked flat bread. Meats including lamb, beef, and chicken are optional at meals, and seafood is most popular in the coastal cities. Mint tea is a common treat.