Tapas, Tagines, and Camels... Oh my!

For a large potion of my adult life I have been attracted to all things Moroccan, I just didn't know it. Some intricate tile work here, a detailed ceramic platter painted with a kaleidoscope of colors there, or miniature glasses with delicate etchings... I loved it all, but it wasn't until much later that I realized all of these mini-obsessions originated from the same part of the globe.I can't say for certain if it is the color, symmetry, or detail that pulls me in, but I could look at the aesthetically invigorating designs from this region for days at a time. There is a bug with the above picture, making the colors go awry when it uploads... but it almost makes it more exciting, no?

To say that I'm a tad bit excited for my journey to Morocco is an understatement. I have been planning for this trip for years, and to see it come to fruition is almost surreal. I have gone from excitement, to nervousness, and back as I think one does with any major trip. Culturally, this land will be different from anywhere I have ever been, and to say there will be a language barrier will be putting it mildly. I can't read a lick of Arabic, my French is not up to par, and my local vocabulary consists of a handful of words that I can hopefully get by with. Thank goodness for the universal language of the nod and smile! Should I don a head scarf? How will I be perceived by the men in a culture where women are somewhat oppressed? What if I have a bathroom emergency in the middle of the Sahara? Who cares. I am SO over all my freaking out, and have come to peace with the fact that this place is going to be so different from what I'm used to, and that is what is going to make it an AMAZING trip.

I am so excited for Morocco, that I keep forgetting I get to spend two lovely days in Madrid beforehand, not to mention airport time in Canada! Yet another place I have never visited! I am beyond sad that my year of crazy travels will be coming to an end, but my experiences have taught me so much about other people, as well as myself, and I can't wait to add memories of this trip to my collection. I never thought I would ever go to Africa twice in one year!

So loyal blog readers, this will be signing off for a bit, hopefully to update you from abroad with details of sangria, camel treks, and tasty tagines. Until then...