Merzouga is a quiet village on the edge of the Sahara Desert in Morocco.
Twins Khadija and Fatima sell toy camels they weave out of grass to passing travelers at a gorge overlook. Our program director bought them scarves and some of us took home grass camels.
I visited Merzouga twice – once with my astrophile boyfriend Dan, and once with my study abroad program for a last Morocco hurrah.
One of the most beautiful sunsets I'd ever seen.
Our desert camp
Some of the students in my group brought steel wool to light on fire.
Gathering around the fire during a cold night under the stars.
Along the roadside, vendors sell trilobites, geodes, and other natural wonders of the Sahara.
Village people in Merzouga proudly played music from sub-Saharan Africa blended with Moroccan and Amazigh music.
Our program director, Mo, on top of one of the 4x4s in which we toured the desert. Some of the most fun we had all trip.
Our caravan to the camp
Our group took donations to the nomads of the Sahara, who were celebrating a wedding that day. The women were dressed to the nines in traditional garments.
My lovely program director, Iman, against a sunset of purple, blue, and green.
Pre-sunrise on the horizon