I went because:Mystery, exoticism, food, colors, history, romance – Morocco has it all. This Berber village in the High Atlas Mountains was charming.
Don’t miss: Essaouira. All of the benefits of Marrakesh without the frenetic energy and hustle.
Don’t bother: Bringing any fancy clothes. You just don’t need to dress up.
Coolest souvenir: Tiles. One day we’ll put all of the beautiful tiles together into our kitchen, but until then they are beautiful art pieces.
Worth a splurge: A camel ride. Hardly a splurge at $25, we rode on the beach by the “castles” Jimi Hendrix wrote about in his “Castles Made of Sand.”
I wish I’d packed: Less. Much, much less to leave room for more ceramic pieces or a lamp.
Other comments: The Berbers are a kind and lovely people. The villages are astonishing (hidden in the hills). Hikes are challenging but worth the effort.
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This article appeared on page N – 2 of the San Francisco Chronicle