Program Itinerary
June 8: Arrive Marrakesh, Morocco. Traditional Friday couscous lunch upon arrival followed by guided walking tour of Marrakesh (visit of Dar Si Said Museum or Bahia Palace). Intro Moroccan Arabic ("Darija") lesson #1. Dinner at Djemaa el Fna. After dinner—guided tour of Djemaa el Fna by night
June 9: 2nd Guided walking tour of Marrakesh. Visit weavers’ area, main souq—including women’s market, babouche shop, dyers, Koubba Almoravide (oldest monument of Marrakesh), and visit ancient Qur’anic school (medersa, now a museum). Light lunch; Siesta/free time; afternoon tea. Lecture demo on traditional Moroccan dress code with “Darija” vocabulary. Intro “Darija” lesson #2. Visit Palace restaurant from Hitchcock film classic, “The Man Who Knew Too Much” en route to a traditional dinner buffet elsewhere. View, discuss short DVD programs about young students in Marrakesh.
June 10: Intro to Islam and Sufism lecture/discussion. Walk to nearby handicraft artisans (leather and brass), the “Mellah” (Jewish Quarter), lamps and lantern production; tour the “mellah” marketplace for flowers, vegetable, fish, and meat; and the section for recycling car and bicycle tires into handicraft items and furniture. Lunch at nearby restaurant. Tour of Marrakesh’s modern city (“Gueliz”) and a visit to Jardin Majorelle. Optional group visit to a “hammam”, a traditional, segregated public bath house. Attendance at a Sufi dinner + observance of a Sufi dhikr ritual...
June 11: “Sahara—Berber culture” lecture. Depart for Essaouira. Lunch: Either in Marrakesh before departure or packed lunches to eat en route
June 11: Arrive in Essaouira on the Atlantic coast, check into hotel. Informal group tour of the medina (old city). Shop, practice French in the souqs. Beach camel ride…Visit to hammam…seek impromptu Gnaoua Musical Performance in advance of World Gnaoua Music Festival…Codify, discuss initial impressions of Morocco. Dinner
June 12: “Free Day” in Essaouira--opportunity to Focus on Photography, Journals, Audio Capture for Blog. Sunset Dinner on oceanfront
June 13: After breakfast we depart for the village of Imlil in the High Atlas Mountains. Arrive Imlil, trek orientation by CAF (French Alpine Club) outfitter. Dinner
June 14: Commence half-day trek to Ait Mizane Valley. Encamp at Berber home stay/”gite” (guest house). Dinner
June 15: Begin Return Trek to Imlil. Transfer to Tassa Ourigane. Evening community service orientation. Dinner
June 16: Morning: Village Discussion on Development Opportunities, Priorities. Afternoon: Community Service Activity. Dinner
June 17: Morning: Conclude Community Service Activity. Early Afternoon: return to Marrakesh hotel and dinner
June 18: Transfer to Fes, evening arrival and check into hotel.
June 19: Home-Stay orientation. Introductory Lesson #3 in Moroccan Darija Arabic. Lecture #1 on “Moroccan Culture and Society”. Return to respective home-stays for welcome lunch. Home-stay dinners
June 20: Home-stay breakfast. Introduction to the Arabic Script/Calligraphy & Modern Standard Arabic. Luncheon with notable female Fassi celebrities/leaders. Concluding lecture on “Moroccan Culture and Society”. Return to medina/home-stays. Home-stay dinners
June 21: Home-stay breakfasts. Commence guided tour of the Fes medina.Return to home-stays for lunch/rest. Farewell Henna party at medina locale TBD. Return to home-stays for farewell dinner OR faculty/parents will host farewell dinner for the students separately (TBD)
June 22: Return to US