Travels with Hamid

by David Crow

The plane glided from the stratosphere toward dawn spreading across Morocco. Layers of violet and indigo sky gradually changed to blazing gold and fiery orange as the first rays spread across the cloud layer hiding Africa’s Atlantic coast. I savor such sublime moments, not only because another adventure is waiting but also because I abhor turbulent flights, and the ending of this one was so smooth that it felt as though we were suspended in space.… Read more

Casablanca disappeared behind us in a haze of diesel fumes, street dust and factory smoke. It took a long time to get out of the crowded city, but eventually we were passing through oak groves harvested for their cork bark and small stands offering fresh melons and forest-harvested truffles.… Read more

Until now, our travels through the agricultural regions, the argan forests of the coastal areas, the Atlas Mountains and the cities of Fez and Marrakech had been delightful, intriguing, educational and productive, but not otherworldly; the Sahara would change that.… Read more