A Cultural Gift Over Lunch on a Family Tour of Morocco

By Amie O’Shaughnessy
3 Min Read

One of the most challenging parts of international travel with kids is enabling them to really engage with a new culture. It’s the difference between being an observer versus a participant; the latter creates the biggest impact. Ways to accomplish this include kid-friendly walking tours or taking a class — anything that brings kids and locals together in an interactive way.

morocco-with-kids-meeting-a-local-family — Our hosts for the afternoon warmly welcomed us into their home

Lunch in a Moroccan Home

The warm welcome we experienced when we entered this family home was truly something special. Moroccan hospitality is alive and well, and crosses all political and cultural boundaries.

This family not only shared their food with us, but opened their hearts and minds to us as well. We traded stories and marveled at our differences … and similarities. They gave us a first hand view of their home and way of life.

morroco-chicken-and-prune-tagine — Chicken and prune tagine

The main activity, of course, is eating. Foodies beware, the cuisine in Morocco is a huge treat; the opportunity to partake in a home-cooked meal is not-to-be-missed. The only requirement is that you arrive hungry.

morocco-experience-with-kids — A kid-friendly dream: a country where eating with your hands is good manners

Our then 8-year-old son was particularly pleased to be in a country where eating with your hands is the custom. Let me tell you that eating couscous with your hands is an art …

morocco-lunch-in-family-home-pouring-tea — Learning to prepare and pour traditional Moroccan tea

After much laughter, we concluded lunch with traditional Moroccan mint tea and Devon had a lesson in tea preparation and pouring. Today, one year later, this afternoon still stands out in his mind.

I hope he remembers this experience forever. We were all struck but the joy we shared with people who live so differently than we do. The lesson that people are people irrespective of where they live in the world is a gift for life.

Our lunch in this home was complimentary and part of our program designed by Kensington Tours. Photos by Amie O’Shaughnessy

Relevant Links:

Morocco with kids trip planning tips

La Sultana Marrakech: Sleep Inside a Luxurious UNESCO World Heritage Site

Visiting Erg Chebbi Sand Dunes for Photo Friday

Family-friendly sustainable tourism in the High Atlas Mountains

Family-friendly review of the Four Seasons Marrakech

Preferred Family Blogsherpa Kensington Tours

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By Amie O’Shaughnessy

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Sonja says:

12 years ago at 11:54 am

Oh dear – it looks fantastic to me but I’d be horrified by the look on my kids’ faces if they were served a prune dish or something else not covered in pepperoni or cheese. What a wonderful experience for all of you!

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