Courtesy of Lucas Rodi ’27
This past spring break, my Arabic 201 class was fortunate to be presented with the unique opportunity to visit Morocco for a week. The primary purposes of the trip were to immerse ourselves in Arab culture and practice our Arabic language skills, and on both fronts, we were successful.
We reached Marrakech on March 9. The beauty of this city is difficult to put into words, and its vitality cannot be exaggerated. At every moment of the night and day, I could hear the hooves of horse-drawn carriages on the streets, the barking of dogs, and the constant hum of conversation. We were fortunate enough to visit the city during Ramadan, which provided us with a unique opportunity to immerse ourselves in Muslim culture.
Our hotel was close to Jemma el-Fnaa Square, a beautiful open-air market that would become a favorite place of ours in the coming days. During the day, pavilions would be put up, metal frames with tarps to protect from the elements. In the lead-up to iftar, the meal after sunset that breaks the fast during Ramadan, these pavilions would come alive, with people preparing a plethora of delicious dishes. Seated in communal seating, we would enjoy these dishes, especially the amazing kebabs and harissa, which is a rich soup with chickpeas that I took a particular liking to.
When we were done with iftar, and during any breaks we had between iftar and the end of the day’s activities, we spent time exploring the souks, or markets, around the square. The experience of haggling with the salespeople, ordering a meal, or simply conversing with people curious about what life is like in the US was an incredible opportunity to practice our Arabic skills. Haggling was a huge part of our forays through the souks, and practicing it over the course of the trip was a great experience. However, shopping was far from the most exciting part of the trip.
We visited beautiful historical sites inside Marrakech including the gorgeous Bahia Palace, drove through the Atlas Mountains to reach Ait Benahddou and Atlas Studios, and the incredible natural beauty of the Ouzoud Waterfalls, and so much more (too much to include in the article)!
The Bahia Palace was an incredible experience as someone with an interest in history. Covered in ornamental tilework, it was a sight to behold, and its construction demonstrated the way in which the Moroccan architectural tradition uses the environment instead of fighting against it. Access to sunlight and natural cooling factors are important considerations in Moroccan architecture, and the site is preserved in a way to make it possible for visitors to appreciate the deliberateness of these choices.
The Atlas Mountains were in themselves an incredible sight. We stopped at the highest peak as we drove through them, and the elevation was so intense! Ears popping, we returned to the car, which took us to Ait Benhaddou, a traditional Amazigh kasbah, or castle. Built at a crucial juncture that allowed the residents to tax passing caravans, the kasbah was one of my favorite experiences of the trip. It’s rare to be able to visit such a significant historical site, but the opportunity to enter it and walk through some of the buildings in the same way that its initial residents may have was even more unique.
The kasbah was constructed from bricks made primarily of mud, with hay mixed in to prevent erosion. This construction strategy necessitates renewal over time, and that is a large part of why the kasbah stands today, and why visitors are able to enter. In fact, some families still live inside the kasbah! After we left Ait Benhaddou, we headed to Atlas Studios, which is the largest film studio in Africa. It was an incredible opportunity to see the behind-the-scenes of famous TV shows and movies such as “Gladiator” and “Game of Thrones.” This day was one of my favorites of the whole trip, and an unforgettable experience.
Speaking of unforgettable experiences, we would travel through the Atlas Mountains later in the week again to reach the Ouzoud Waterfalls, which are the second-largest waterfalls in Africa after Victoria Falls, between Zambia and Zimbabwe. The natural splendor of this site was breathtaking, and we were able to go down to the base of the falls and take a small boat to get close enough to the falls that we could feel the spray. This was the single most awe-inspiring moment of the trip, and it was a real privilege to be able to see such an incredible sight.
We said goodbye to Marrakech on March 15, and drove north to Casablanca. When we arrived in the city, we took the time to visit the Hassan II Mosque– a truly huge building, and an important cultural and religious site in Morocco, showcasing the power and wealth of the royal family. The cavernous main chamber of this mosque can house 25,000 worshippers, and the scale of the building took my breath away. We spent the rest of the day walking around Casablanca, taking in the sights and sounds of the city.
The next morning, as we prepared to leave, I experienced a bittersweet moment, knowing that this once-in-a-lifetime trip was ending. As our plane took off, reflecting on the trip, I counted myself fortunate to have been able to experience this cultural and linguistic immersion thanks to Conn.
