A Flavorful Henna Design

Today, I woke up feeling energized and ready for an adventure-packed day ahead! The morning started perfectly with a delicious Moroccan breakfast prepared by Hajiba. A tray of Milwy, my absolute favorite Moroccan breakfast! There was a delightful spread of cheeses, jams, butter, fresh bread, and fragrant tea, setting the tone for an unforgettable day.

Our first stop was the Reif Hotel, where we dove into a hands-on tagine cooking class that was nothing short of amazing. We met the talented chef, who guided us through the process, with Oussama translating each instruction seamlessly. We learned about the vibrant world of Moroccan spices, traditional dishes, and the magic behind the tagine, a true culinary masterpiece. Everyone in the group got a chance to shine, whether it was stirring the flavorful Zaalouk for over 20 minutes, thanks to Chelei’s dedication, or carefully layering ingredients into our tagine. It was a team effort, and the energy was infectious. Once our dishes were ready, we headed to the dining room to feast and let me tell you, it was so good I couldn’t even snap a picture! As soon as that aromatic tagine hit the table, it disappeared in seconds, a sign to how delicious it was.

Feeling full and content, we took a walk down to the ISA office. There, we kicked off an energetic dance session led by Oussama and Walid. Their moves were contagious, and soon everyone was trying to keep up! After dancing, the henna artist arrived, and we all waited patiently one by one. While we waited some of us had Oussama write our names in Daija, and others got competitive over card games,  the vibe was lively and full of laughter.

Me and Tamera at the Tagine cooking class

Some of the Henna designs

Later, I returned to my homestay to work on some homework and plan dinner. Edith and I initially wanted to make Mexican food for my host mom, but our plans shifted when we realized we lacked some ingredients. So, we decided to fuse Mexican flavors with Moroccan-inspired dishes instead, a creative twist that turned out to be surprisingly tasty. Though the meal didn’t look exactly as we envisioned, Hajiba and my roommates said it was “delicious,” which made me feel proud.

Just as we were settling in, there was a knock on the door, it was Hajiba’s family! Her sister, nephews, nieces, and the whole crew came to pick us up for a night drive through the city. They showed us hidden gems we hadn’t seen before, like the Bassine Souani and the lively Medina square lit up at night. The city looked breathtaking under the evening sky, a magical view that revealed a new side of this lively city.

As I write this, I’m struck by how much today has opened my eyes to the rich culture, the warm community, and the incredible flavors of Morocco. It’s been a day full of surprises, laughter, and unforgettable moments. Can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings!

The best family picture ever.

Signing off, 

Ariana Moran Castillo :)