When I imagined the word “orphanage,” I pictured something very different than what now stood before me. I’m not sure where my image of an orphanage had come from, maybe…
Moorish Tides
Kickboxing in Tangier
A younger version of myself frequently underwent diverse training sessions with my father, ranging from basketball to football and even boxing. My father, committed to ensuring a healthy lifestyle for…
A Prayer for Morocco
I glanced down at my shirt. The only part that was not a dark, sweat-drenched green was the bottom hem. This two-toned t-shirt was the result of a Friday night…
Leaving My Safe Haven
As I wake up, my eyes still groggy and tired from my lack of sleep, I feel no different than any other day. I tear myself from my bed, unwillingly,…
For the Sake of Humanity
Walking through the doors of Clinique Croissant Rouge, I didn’t even have to look at the people in the waiting room to know they were glaring at me. My attention…
A Visit to the Orphanage
Sitting in the backseat of the teal petit taxi, I suddenly felt hesitant and uncertain about what I was getting myself into. I’d heard many things about orphanages—they’re dirty, the…
Tangier’s Last Heiress
Waiters scurried around us to push the tiny round mahogany tables together, as is seemingly tradition now on these small group excursions of ours. The older of the two waiters…
The Oscar-Worthy Smile
I could feel the exhaustion take over. Even though I was thrilled to be on the other side of the world, embarking on my adventure of studying abroad in Morocco,…
You. Are. Crazy!
“Are we almost there?” I whined to my friend, Mohammed. We’d had been walking the stony streets of Tangier for roughly 15 minutes. I struggled because of the hot weather…
A Spiritual Journey
When I decided to come to Morocco, some of my family members were worried. “You know it’s a Muslim country, right?” some said. “And Muslims don’t like Jews.” I thanked…
Reflections of a Petri Dish Child
When I first looked into the eyes of Imane, I saw a woman who is on fire. Her fierce advocacy of the natural birthing process and breastfeeding got me reflecting…
Abdul’s American Love Story
Stories being the best teacher, within a few days of arriving in Tangier, I set out on a quest to uncover the everyday struggles and joys of a single Tanjawi,…