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    Moroccan Adventures – Off-Campus Study

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    Moroccan Adventures - Off-Campus Study

    One of my favorite parts of studying abroad is the proximity to other countries compared to the US, it makes travel more accessible and opens up many opportunities for weekend trips. This past weekend, I was able to go to Africa for the first time and explore Morocco!

    Rainbow after the rain.

    The friend and I flew to Marrakech on Thursday morning and met the tour company we had booked with for the weekend. From there, we set out on a 10+ hour drive through mountains and beautiful landscapes. Along the way we stopped several times in local towns for food and shopping. By evening, we finally reached the desert, where we stayed in tents at a camp for the next two nights.

    On Friday we had a full day in the desert and of course, it rained. Locals told us that it rains only 18 days a year in the Sahara, and we were there for one of those days. Nevertheless, we enjoyed a slow morning with breakfast at the camp and saw the desert in one of its rarest forms.

    Once the sun came up, we took a camel ride and also booked a jeep ride through the dunes, which was definitely the highlight of my trip! We spent three hours riding in the dunes, enjoying the views and the peace. Afterwards, we returned to camp for dinner and a bonfire with music, meeting other study abroad students, and soaking up the fun, lively atmosphere under the stars.

    In the foreground of a vast desert, seven young women are happily gathered on the roof rack of a rugged, white vintage Land Rover Defender. The vehicle is parked on dark orange sand, its boxy frame and black trim clearly visible on the desert floor. The women are all wearing matching white trousers, making their vibrant, flowing scarves – in shades of turquoise, deep red and pink – pop against the neutral tones of the sand and cloudy sky. They are posing with wide smiles; Some have their arms raised in excitement, while others lean toward each other, capturing a moment of celebration and friendship. Behind them, the vast, rolling sand dunes of the Sahara stretch toward the horizon, their surfaces rippling with soft shadows under the dim light of the desert sky.
    sorry mom i did
    Ride to the top…
    A horizontal landscape photograph captures a desert camp during a dramatic sunset. To the left, extending deep into the frame, is a neat line of white, traditional-style canvas tents on undulating, dark orange-brown sand. Just behind the tent, a row of dark, conical trees stand against the bright sky. The setting sun is a bright, fiery orange orb below the horizon, partially hidden by trees and tents, creating vibrant lights of orange, yellow and red that spread into the surrounding clouds. Above, a huge, heavy blanket of dark grey, stormy clouds fills most of the right side of the frame. A small, crescent moon is visible among the dark clouds at far right, near the center. The warm light from sunset illuminates the edges of the cloud bank and the landscape, creating a dramatic contrast between the intense light on the left and the deep shadows and dark clouds on the right. In the far background, to the right, the lights of a remote village or road are beginning to twinkle. The perspective is from ground level, looking below the tent line and toward the horizon.
    Sunset over our camp.
    Seven young women are lined up in the center of the frame, each riding a camel, one camel with two girls on top, in the middle of the Sahara. A mix of light brown and dark chocolate brown, the camels stand patiently on a slope of deep orange sand. All the women are dressed in bright white dresses, their heads wrapped in vibrant, colorful scarves in shades of blue, red, green and turquoise. They are all waving enthusiastically with one hand raised to the sky, their faces shining with smiles of pure joy. Above them, a dramatic sky is filled with heavy, textured gray and white clouds that hang low over the smooth, rolling curves of the dunes in the background. The vastness of the desert and the bright colors emanating from their scarves create a wonderful, adventurous sight.
    Hands up for a camel ride!

    The next morning, we woke up at 7 a.m. to watch the beautiful sunrise, then spent most of Saturday traveling back to Marrakech. The return journey through mountains and small towns was just as beautiful as the last views we took in Morocco.

    The company we booked with had provided a hotel for the night in a great central location. On Sunday morning, we explored the local markets in the center of Marrakech, where I bought lots of souvenirs for my friends, family and myself. There was a huge variety of things to buy: jewellery, lamps, rugs, clothes, mugs, postcards, coasters and much more. I could spend hours there.

    A minimalist, wide-angle shot captures the serene tranquility of the Sahara at sunrise. The lower third of the image is filled with the dark, shadowy curves of the sand dunes, their deep texture barely visible in the dim light. On a hill in the distance, a small silhouette of a caravan of camels – six camels with riders – is moving slowly across the horizon line. Their deep shapes are perfectly outlined against the soft, yellow sky that changes from a dusty orange near Earth to a cool, clear blue above. A small, pinkish-brown cloud floats low to the right, reflecting the soft colors of the evening. The sheer scale of the sky compared to the smaller figures on the dunes emphasizes the vast, peaceful stillness of the desert.
    Peace in the Sahara.
    Two girls sit with their backs to the camera on top of a high sand dune to watch the sunrise. They are huddled together for warmth, wrapped in a large, thick light-violet blanket with a dark striped border. The morning sun is a bright, shining orb rising over the far-reaching hills of the Sahara, casting long, soft shadows across the valley below. The sand in the foreground is a deep, hot orange, while the vast desert floor below is marked with faint, criss-crossing vehicle tracks. The sky is a clear, light blue, turning into a soft yellow glow near the horizon. It's a quiet, peaceful scene that reflects the cold but beautiful beginning of a desert day.
    Bundled up for sunrise.
    Taken from a slightly lower angle, looking down the length of the market, down a bustling, narrow street in the Moroccan souks. Above, a high, domed ceiling made of thin wooden strips allows narrow rays of sunlight to filter in, creating a rhythmic pattern of light and shadow on the dusty ground. The street corners are full of small shops. On the left, racks of vibrant clothing and intricately woven scarves hang on display. On the right, shelves are filled with traditional Moroccan ceramics, metal lanterns and various trinkets. The market is alive with people – locals and tourists alike – passing through, stopping to look at some of the goods. The overall atmosphere is warm and vibrant, with the earthy pink hue of the walls contrasting with the colorful objects and sunlight shining overhead.
    The socks business.
    A vertical shot shows the dazzling entrance of a jewelery and textile shop located within the pink-walled alleyways of the Marrakesh souks. The storefront is an explosion of texture and color, with every available surface filled with merchandise. To the left, tall stacks of neatly folded, multi-colored striped blankets sit beneath a hanging display of shimmering silk scarves in shades of blue, purple, and gold. The center of the frame is dominated by countless strands of necklaces, earrings etc. "hand of fatima" (Hamsa) charms are mounted on a golden-yellow velvet backing that extends over the walls. In the foreground, several black jewelry stands are filled with thick gold bracelets and elaborate beaded necklaces. Bright, bare lightbulbs hang from the ceiling, casting a warm, glowing glow on the metal ornaments and drawing the eye deeper into the shop's narrow, treasure-filled interior. The grounds are made of light-coloured stone pavers, which are smoothed by the many visitors passing through this lively market.
    Treasure everywhere.
    A calico cat curled up in a tight ball, fast asleep on a shelf, in a cozy and charming scene inside a shop in Marrakesh. The cat with spots of white, ginger and dark brown fur has found a perfect spot for a nap right in the middle of the store's merchandise. It rests on top of several wooden boards decorated with intricate, colorful geometric patterns. Surrounding the sleeping cat are various handmade items, including beaded lighters, patterned eyeglass cases, and rows of gold bangles hanging just above her head. A bright lightbulb shines softly behind the cat, casting warm light on his fur and detailed craft. At the top of the frame, a shopkeeper's hands can be seen working on a piece of jewellery, adding a sense of calm, everyday life to the image.
    Is the cat for sale?

    Even though we spent a large part of the trip in the car, it was totally worth it. The tranquility of the desert is difficult to put into words, and this landscape was unlike anything I had seen before. Along the way, we talked to locals, explored the desert, and experienced much of the country. I’m really grateful for the opportunities that studying abroad has given me and allowed me to explore new cultures and experiences. And now, I can say I’ve been to Africa!

    For anyone thinking about visiting Morocco:

    1. Bring cash in euros or local currency. Small towns don’t always accept cards, and carrying small bills or coins helps negotiate prices in the markets.
    2. If you book a desert tour through a tour company, it is It’s worth paying a little extra for one with good reviews. We did this and felt completely safe the entire time. The food they provided was also delicious!
    3. Book a tour into the desert. The jeep ride was not included in our stay, but it was my favorite experience of the entire trip.
    4. be present. Get up early for the sunrise, stay late around the campfire, and put down your phone. We actually had service most of the time, but those moments without it, when I could absolutely take everything in, were some of my favorites.
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