Page 7 - Dispatches - June 2022

C
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an
’
-
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Can’t-Miss Egyptian Education
Mi
Morocco
Morocco As a mid-80s O.A.T. traveler of 20 trips, I took my family
During Morocco Sahara of three grandchildren, ages 12, 16, and 21, and their three
D
ng

i
u
r
d
Odyssey, somewhere parents to Egypt over school vacation. Five years ago, we
O
y
y
se
s
near Efrane, we saw a
n e a r E f r a n e , w e s a w a took the O.A.T. Safari Serengeti: Tanzania Lodge & Tented
semi-nomadic village. Safari adventure, which was a huge success, and that
Our Trip Experience prompted this Christmas gift. Is there a better inheritance
Leader stopped the bus, than to give one’s family an appreciation of education via
jumped out, and ran travel?
to the village to see if
someone would talk Ancient Egypt & the Nile River was excellent and our guide,
to us. He found a lady, Ossama Petri, is one of the very best. All seven of us
and she said, “come.” educated ourselves before the trip which helped us appre-
She and her neighbor ciate the sites and ancient history.
welcomed us in her Recommended books:
home. She was baking bread and offered it to us. We asked
lots of questions. She spoke Berber. Our Trip Experience
Leader is Berber so he could translate. Her husband was at When Women Ruled the World by
the souk. She has three children. There are 10 families in Kara Cooney. Six chapters including
the village. Hatshepsut, Nefertiti, and Cleopatra.
Shoshana & Arnold Greenland Detailed.
8-time travelers
Silver Springs, MD

Nearly three weeks in Morocco—what a post-pandemic
treat after a two-year wait! Morocco is a fascinating
country, and our outstanding Trip Experience Leader,
Mustapha Ahitass, brought it all to life for us. We learned Nefertiti by Evelyn Wells. Very
so much about Morocco’s history, its diverse and inclusive good history of Akhenaten,
culture, its forward-thinking economic plans, and its Nefertiti, and Tutankhaten.
standing in the world. Doesn’t read engrossingly, but
good background.
We wandered through colorful towns, traveled through
rich agricultural lands, traversed snow-covered mountains
and wandered through eye-popping medinas. We met Hatshepsut: The First Woman Pharaoh
lovely people who hosted us at meals, in beautifully by Susanne Thomas. Short. Young
by Susanne Thomas. Short. Young
restored riads, and talked to us about their lives, their adult. Recommend as a quick read.
traditions, and their crafts. The food was delicious and There are several good travel books
healthy, and the shopping was limitless. written for children and young adults
written for children and young adults
that are also good for adults.
And let me also mention our memorable stay in the Sahara
in our luxury tented camp. A beautiful sunset on the dunes
was followed the next day with a memorable camel ride
and local visits featuring music and Morocco’s trademark
mint tea. We had the good fortune to participate in three
home-hosted family visits: on two small farms for lunch,
and in Fez for dinner. This was an amazing journey and Diane Bleday
should not be missed. 20-time traveler
Plymouth, MA
Betsy McGee
8-time traveler
Larkspur, CA
DISPATCHES • JUNE

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