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What is normal in a country but weird in the rest of the world?
Today’s destination is Morocco!
Located in North Africa, Morocco is the only African country that has access to both the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.
1.It’s a Kingdom. And they love their king!
His Majesty the King Mohammed VI is the twenty-third monarch of the Alaouite (alawiyin) dynasty, one of the six dynasties that have ruled Morocco since the second half of the 17th century.
2. The Atlas lion (also called Barbary Lion) is the national animal of Morocco
The Barbary lions lived in the Atlas Mountains of Northern Africa, from Morocco to Egypt.
Moroccan national football team is nicknamed : Atlas Lions
3. The Oldest University in the world is in Morocco!
The University of al-Qarawiyyin is located in the imperial city of Fez, the oldest existing, still operating higher educational institution in the world according to UNESCO and Guinness World Records.
This university was founded by a woman called Fatima al-Fihri in 859.
4. It has one of the most Famous Squares in the world
Destination of all magic, Jamaâ El Fna is a square and market place in Marrakesh's medina quarter (old city, that tells through its storytellers, dancers, water sellers and snake charmers, the history subjugating its visitors by its charm that starts in the morning and still only reaches its peak in the evening.
5. Cities are all unique with a mixture of traditional and modern touches
There are some examples :
Chefchaoun is a city all paint in blue
6. Numerous Hollywood movies have been shot in Morocco !
Such as : Lawrence of Arabia (1962), The Mummy (1999) ,Sex and the City 2 (2010) Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (2010), Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015)…. etc
Some scenes from "Game of Thrones" Were also filmed in the southern Moroccan town of Ouarzazate and its surrounding.
7. Harmonious coexistence between all Religions
Islam is the major religion in Morocco. But Religious tolerance is known and recognized for the harmonious coexistence between Muslims, Jews and Christians.
The face to face between The Saint Martyrs Church and the Mosque Rue El Iman Ali in the city of Marrakech , and their symmetrical configuration are seen as a symbol of inter-religous tolerance.
8. Some of the people lives in Riads (traditional Moroccan houses)
The word comes from the Arab word “ryad” and it means garden, but is applied to townhouses built around an inner courtyard or a garden
Real riads will have lush plants in four planting beds and a central fountain, but many variations exist.
9. Living rooms are called “salon” !
Like all Mediterranean countries, we spent a lot of time with family and friends, we also visit each other a lot. So, there is no better place than your salon to receive and enjoy time with your beloved ones.
I warn you: never ever enter a Moroccan salon with your shoes in xD
10. Are Moroccans Amphibian?
Of course not, but they love to go to The Hammam (Traditional public baths) at least once a week. It’s a sanitary habit that remained deeply rooted in their daily life from old generations.
11. Mint tea is the morrocan’s drug !
Fresh mint tea is the traditional beverage of Morocco; they consume it at any time of the day, either with breakfast, lunch, dinner… it’s absolutely delicious and very easy to make.
12. Cheap and Delicious food !
Moroccan cuisine is typically a mix of Amazigh, Arab, Andalusi, and Mediterranean cuisines, with slight European and sub-Saharan influences. This makes the moroccan plates various, rich, and delicious.
And trust me with only 10 MAD (1 US $), you can get a sandwich and a big cup of tea.
Couscous is the national dish. they have a custom to serve it especially on Fridays at lunchtime.
Usually couscous is eaten by hands instead of spoons (hands makes it more delicious).
Hum… wait! Is that a funeral urn? :o
Of course not xD, it’s one of the most delicious dishes that you can only taste in Marrakesh.
It is a meat dish cooked in an earthenware pot (called Tangia), for four hours in the embers of the wood-fired oven.
I advice you to eat at popular normal restaurants because their the prices are ood and also the taste is waaay more etter then the fancy retaurants.
13. morrocans eats snails!
Babbouche or ghlala (Snails) is a wonderful dish in Morocco, but not many tourists pluck up the courage to try it hahaha.
14. Morocco’s Cafe Culture
They spend a lot of time in cafes, and they have a lot of them. It’s a common part of Moroccans’ everyday socialization for a long time.
Every country has its own way of doing things when it comes to gratuities and Morocco is no different. So they don’t hesitate tipping if the service is good.
15. Moroccan fashion is different
The traditional Moroccan clothing for both men and women is called jellaba, a long modest outfit with long sleeves and hood.
On special occasions they also wear a red cap called “Tarbosh”, and a soft yellow baboush “Balgha”.
And Women wear “kaftans” dazzled by ornaments. The difference between jellaba and kaftans is a jellaba has hood while a kaftans does not.
Women also wear a traditional dress called “Takchita” composed of two layers. Unlike the kaftan which is a one-piece dress.
In the south areas of Morocco, the fashion is a little bit different.
Men usually put on “Deraa” which is a loose clothe open on the side to keep the body ventilated, while women wear the “Mlehfa” to protect themselves from the blowing sands caused by rough winds in the desert.
16.Tree-Climbing Goats!
Seeing the cloven-hoofed goats in Morocco climbing trees is usual. But, they only climb one particular type of tree: the Argania spinosa(aragan tree). And it is endemic to southwest Morocco.
The tree produces small fruit that attracts not only goats, but also humans.
From these seeds they extract Argan oil, also known as "liquid gold" which is in addition of being delicious surpasses other healthy oils, such as olive oil and almond oil in terms of health benefits.
17. Being multilingual is the norm !
Morroco’s two official languages: Arabic and Berber.
But, others can be found including Modern Standard Arabic, Darija (Moroccan Arabic), French, Spanish, and even English. Most Moroccans are able to speak a lot of languages and with good pronouciation because Arabic is the hardest at spellings so any other language is easy for them.
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