Global Scholars to Morocco!

I recently returned from co-leading a Global Scholars trip to Morocco. It was a great trip!

We traveled across much of the country, and I was in awe by the variety of the landscapes, from Atlantic beaches and rocky coasts to the dunes of the Sahara and the snow-peaked Atlas mountains. The lack of humidity made it clear we were no longer in Virginia!

The food was incredible. I really enjoyed eating tagine and traditional bread (especially after watching Michael Pollan’s Cooked on the plane), and I managed to drink mint tea almost every day.

The meal that left the deepest impression on me was the traditional Friday couscous. It was SO good! Typically served communally after Friday prayers, the dish featured steamed vegetables and ridiculously tasty chicken alongside caramelized onions, almonds, raisins, and chickpeas. But what really surprised me was the couscous itself. It was nothing like the flavorless instant couscous I had learned to hate as a child. It reminded me of the first time I had fresh pasta and it blew my mind how much better it was.

As is often the case when I travel, the most meaningful experience was meeting people. I enjoyed the opportunity to get to know our twelve students on the trip. Randolph is truly full of smart and kind students!

Most of all, I was moved by the hospitality of the Moroccans we met. The first time I had couscous, for instance, was in the home of one of our guides. Rather than taking us to a restaurant as planned, he surprised everyone by bringing us to his house, where his family had spent hours lovingly preparing the meal. It was a beautiful (and tasty) surprise, and one that I expect will stick with me for a long time.