Location: Morocco, Marrakech, Fes, Essaouira, Sidi Ifni, Zagora, M’hamid

Published: Fort Lauderdale Magazine

Spring was in full effect when we left the north for the south, the rolling green hills around Fes blazing with poppies the color of fresh blood and the air tickling our noses with the scent of everything in bloom. I had visited Morocco during the sweltering months of summer, when the sharqi – the southeast wind that blows from the Sahara – aims like a hair dryer at this western corner of North Africa. In 2003 I had come to learn Arabic, a failed mission, but I fell in love with Fes and developed strong ties with my host family. In fact, this was my fifth return visit, but my first in spring.