The next day we went by 4x4 to our camp in the Sahara Desert. We camped there for two days and roughed it. No showers, cots and blankets, little running water and the desert was our toilet. But I loved it! It was so fun to immerse myself in the environment and really enjoy my surroundings. We had two nights of dancing, looking at the stars and taking night walks on the dunes. The next morning began with a 5AM wake-up call to watch the sunrise. Than we rode Camels into town. That was the craziest thing I have ever done. It was pretty scary but also so excited. We rode them to a sand dune, and hiked up the 90 angle to the top to overlook the desert. Than we rode our camels to town to a hotel where, unbeknownst to us, a pool was waiting. It was so nice to jump in after being in the 90 desert weather. We spent the last night on the dunes hanging out and some of the local Berbers, who lived 5 minutes from the camp in their desert town and were always surrounding the camp eager to make new friends, especially female, offered my and Kelsi a ride to Algeria which was only 2 hours away and "Very safe". Dont worry fam, We gladly declined. But overall, the Desert time was by far my favorite part of Morocco. God's hand in nature was evident everywhere. From the colors of the sunset, to the starry sky at night, to the orange sand dunes that were as far as the eye could see.
Moroccan culture was an interesting culture to observe and be immersed in for a short period of time. In the cities, women were few and far between. Women were not allowed in any cafes, and usually had to be fully clothed. Men stared at all of us girls like pieces of meat and I felt very discriminated against. I felt less observed than other girls because I wore a scarf on my head the majority of the time which I was thankful for. The Berbers in the desert were an interesting people group as well. They were all men ranging form 8 to 40 years old. I found out that their wives stay at home, cook and clean and the men marry not for love, but learn to fall in love with time. The average age for a girl to marry is 17, for a man is 35. It is a very Islamic patriarchal system that is in place in Morocco. My heart broke knowing that many of the Berber men had never spent a day in school, or knew how to fully respect a woman. One night we had a band come in and the men could watch but the cooks, who were women, needed to be invited in. When women came to do our Henna hand tattoo, they all looked under 25 and probably were married to 40 year old men. The inequality within this society further proved how this world not only needs a true Savior who had created man AND women equal, but an open heart to accept change. How I wished I could spend more time and really get to know the lives of these women and see life from their point of view. Maybe God will give me another chance. One thing that gives me true peace in knowing that although I cannot change the world, I can try and spread awareness of this issue and be a light. But most importantly, my Father loves these people more than I do and will provide justice and mercy to them.
Isaiah 61:1
Besos, Lauren
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