Our Morocco: Moroccans and Expats Share Their Lives, Hopes, Dreams, and Adventures

by Lucas Peters, Tahir Shah, Richard Hamilton

From the terraces of Tangier's Cafe Hafa to the depths of the Marrakesh medina, Moroccans and long-time expats of Morocco share their stories. In these pages, you will travel all over Morocco. No doubt, you will find some familiar names and revisit some familiar places. Nestle back into the Jinn-haunted digs of Tahir Shah’s Dar Khalifa in Casablanca. Camp out with the semi-nomadic friends of Alice Morrison. Dip a spoon into the traditional Friday afternoon couscous with Myronn Hardy in the quiet folds of the Middle Atlas. Remain as linguistically confused from Fez to Tangier as Zora O’Neall. Peel back the folds of Moroccan history with Richard Hamilton and dive into the mythology of a Sufi saint in a little-visited Souss region with Lucas Peters. Experience that first awkward hammam experience with Amanda Mouttaki and be enchanted by Saeida Rouass’s poetic ode to her very intimate Morocco. And be inspired by Suzanna Clarke in Fez and witness how her community has responded to the global pandemic.Lynn Houmdi and Eirlys Davies write painfully true accounts of their first years in Morocco and all the necessary adjustment — physical, emotional, and mental — that this entailed. Meanwhile, environmentalist Hazim Azghari and former director of the Tangier American Legation, Gerald Loftus, open doors to their own private Moroccos, each a wonderful introspection that speaks to a very individual experience that very few of us will likely have the joy of repeating. Dina Benbrahim takes you on a bouncy typographic tour of Tangier as only she could, while Zakariaa Aitouraies brings us in on his reflection about what being Moroccan means to him. To add to this, the photography of Amina Lahbabi and Suzanna Clarke that grace these pages gives you a glimpse into the Morocco that captures their eye. Forward by Barb Mackraz, Founder & Director of the Morocco Library Project.All proceeds of this collection go to fund the Morocco Library Project (), an NGO that builds and supports libraries in remote, rural, underdeveloped areas of Morocco. These libraries are hubs for young primary and secondary students. They facilitate a love for reading, language and learning. What began as one small, purple library in Erfoud has blossomed into dozens throughout the distant regions of the country. Thank you for your support!A Journey Beyond Travel publication

184 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 9, 2020

Reviews

[Elsie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like love letters

The stories are intimate and warm. I can feel the vibrations of love in every voice and every photo. If you purchase the Kindle version, be sure to read it on a tablet to appreciate the photography.

[Katy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I stumbled upon this book while looking for Morocco-related books on Kindle Unlimited. As someone who lived in Morocco for 5 years and is married to a Moroccan, this book felt intimately familiar and like sitting around with a bunch of friends. An eclectic love letter to my other home.

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was interesting, overall. Like any collection, some essays and writers were more appealing than others.