Most Inspirational Moment
Living in a High Atlas mountain gite in a Berber village and touching all-too-briefly on the simple, hospitable, authentic and friendly Berber lifestyle -- simply unforgettable. A close second was briefly experiencing the nomadic Berber lifestyle with camel riding and a night in the desert.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Outstanding. Mustapha is an authentic Berber man and the perfect guide to the real Morocco. He was funny, social, knowledgeable, warm and caring, with endless energy in dealing with a diverse group of travelers and their needs. He took the time to help people individually when needed, and was clearly loved and respected by the many Moroccans who crossed our path. Kudos to Exodus for providing a leader who was the "real deal" for this quintessential Moroccan odyssey.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Don't show too much interest in merchandise in the Fes medina, unless you're clear in your own mind on buying, especially in the leather area. Though the Fes medina is obviously a must-see, these merchants can be somewhat ruthless in their sales approach. I needed help from Mustapha to extricate myself from a leather jacket deal that most merchants would have realized I had no intention of completing. Don't expect too much from the much-vaunted Jemma-el-fna square in Marrakech. Though tourists/travelers pay most of the freight in Marrakech's economy, this square is completely aimed at Moroccans. My anticipation of hearing some authentic Moroccan stories that I could understand was misplaced and, though I take personal blame for this, it nonetheless was disappointing that this important aspect of Moroccan life was inaccessible here. On the plus side, pay no attention to the hype about hawkers here being rapacious. And do purchase some dirt-cheap ginger tea (ask for a little eucalyptus to be added too) here; makes a nice change from the excellent Berber whiskey (aka mint tea).