There are numerous reasons to visit Morocco. I’ve made a short list here to be used for 2017 vacation planning. I invite others to add additional thoughts in the comments.
read moreNancy Lauer
Cats of Chefchaouen, Morocco
by Nancy Lauer on December 19, 2016 No comments
I’ve noticed that Moroccan cities are either cat cities or dog cities. Without exception, the cats win out in the medinas, or old cities. It’s probably because cats are smaller than dogs, and can fly under the radar easier. Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of dogs to go around in Morocco. But in the close quarters of a medina, dogs aren’t present in large numbers. Also, in general, Moroccans have a fear of dogs. To illustrate, one evening while having dinner in our apartment, we heard loud, shrill screaming outside our window. Without even looking up from her plate, Ava said, “Someone probably saw a dog.” I’m 99% sure she was correct. There’s not much else to scream about.
read moreCook Like a Local: Moroccan Bissara Soup
by Nancy Lauer on December 4, 2016 10 comments
Recently, in the famous blue city of Chefchaouen, I ran into the best Bissara soup I’ve ever tasted. Bissara is a popular Moroccan soup prepared with dried and peeled fava beans. This soup is hearty with plenty of protein and is often served for breakfast in winter, especially in the north. The dish was originally known as a meal of the poor, but these days it’s found its way into the homes and restaurants of all social classes.
read moreODM Bedouin Bivouac Opening Night
by Nancy Lauer on November 13, 2016 2 comments
It’s official. The Open Doors Morocco – Bedouin Bivouac is open for business and we couldn’t have asked for a more authentic desert launch. Who better to share the inaugural night with than our friends at The Giving Lens? The bivouac exists for the purpose of providing fair wages to locals and authentic cultural experiences for foreigners. Read more about the unique background of our bivouac HERE.
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The Giving Lens: Morocco 2016
by Nancy Lauer on November 7, 2016 No comments
The Giving Lens (TGL), El Fenn Maroc, Creative Interactions, three local photographers from Marrakech, and Open Doors Morocco (ODM) teamed up to launch a photography program for youth in the village of Ait Ouir, Morocco. The Giving Lens regularly brings teams of photographers to developing countries to work alongside local non-profit organizations in tangible ways. The group is committed to helping launch sustainable projects that will eventually become self-sufficient. Each team is led by two professional photographers with travel experience.
read moreSecrets of a Moroccan Snake Charmer
by Nancy Lauer on September 27, 2016 No comments
My business partner, Said and I were driving through the Moroccan Sahara and noticed a man digging near the side of the road. We were in the middle of nowhere and suddenly curious as to what he was doing. We decided to stop to investigate.
read moreArtistry of the Sahara
by Nancy Lauer on September 23, 2016 No comments
Said Ahnana, has an eye for the artistic. He has a knack for honing in on disparate details that photograph beautifully. I think growing up in a nomadic culture has aided him well. I’m calling these latest photographs, Saharan Sand Art.
read more10 Rules for Climbing Moroccan Kasbahs
by Nancy Lauer on September 19, 2016 1 comment
Kasbahs are amazing ancient, crumbling buildings that were built for defense in North Africa. Another word for kasbah is fortress. Kasbahs were built with high walls, usually without windows. Ruins are dotted throughout southern Morocco.
read moreIntroducing Open Doors Morocco’s Bedouin Bivouac
by Nancy Lauer on September 16, 2016 No comments
We are excited to announce that with the help of Indiegogo and some very special clients, we have raised 15k to start a bivouac, or camp in the Sahara Desert. The bivouac will be what we call a “Fair Wages Camp.” Read on to find out more about this exciting sustainable project in the Sahara Desert.
read moreEid Al Adha | The Sheep Feast in Morocco
by Nancy Lauer on September 13, 2016 1 comment
Eid Al Adha is a Muslim holiday celebrated across the world. The root of the religious holiday goes back to the days of Abraham, who is considered an important prophet by Muslims, Christians, and Jews. Abraham was asked by God to sacrifice his only son. Muslims believe that the son was Ishmael, while Christians and Jews believe the son was Isaac. The point that Abraham was willing to obey God even to the point of sacrificing his son. This Muslim holiday celebrates how God substituted Abraham’s son with a sheep.
read moreNancy Lauer
I grew up in the American Midwest and consider Morocco my second home. I am the first to tell you that a trip to Morocco is an amazing life transforming experience.
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