After Lebanon’s cabinet formation, AFP wrote a story about Lebanese women politicians breaking into the country’s patriarchal political system. 2 women were appointed to Lebanon’s 30-person cabinet: Raya Haffar Hassan became finance minister, the first for a woman here to be appointed to the job. Mona Afeish, described by media sources as a women’s rights activist, was appointed state minister.

I was told my informed sources today that despite Ziyad Baroud’s best efforts, Baroud and Tareq Mitri were THE ONLY TWO ministers to favor an inclusion of the issue of Lebanese women’s right to pass on their nationality in the Ministerial Statement- the country’s guiding document. Neither woman gave their endorsement.

A story will be published in tommorow’s DS and next Thursday.

In a post entitled, to this you have been called  ( a reference to 1 Peter 2), Suzanne McCarthy wrote

“I find that the book of Ephesians does not uphold marriage between a man and a woman, but only between a male citizen and a female citizen. It is not about the sacredness of the male-female union but only about the inviolable rights of the master of the household.”   Previously she notes  that “A female slave had no right to resist intercourse with her master or any males of the household. It was not considered adultery if the master slept with her. Her children belonged to him anyway. A female slave could not gain freedom or buy her own freedom on her own. She could only become free if she were the partner of a male slave who was being freed.” The whole post is worth reading.

Ibn-e-Pakistan

Two women MPs elected to Kuwait's parliament who refused to wear Hijab

The munafiqun in Kuwait’s highest court gave a ruling that “women Members of Parliament (MP) can shun [avoid] Hjiab because election law does not specify regulations to be followed by women MPs” – perhaps Mr. Judge knew election law very well but either he does know what Islam tells or he is a munafiq [hypocrite].

Kuwait’s highest court rules headscarves are not obligatory for elected female lawmakers.
[ Source: http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/nation-world/sns-ap-ml-kuwait-womens-rights,0,1843591.story ]

Allah s.w.t. tells Muslim women to take Hijab at a number of places in Quran. Following verses are straight and clear in meaning:

“And tell the believing women to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts) and not to show off their adornment except only that which is apparent (like both eyes for necessity to see the way, or outer palms of hands or one eye or dress like veil, gloves, headcover, apron), and to draw their veils all over Juyoobihinna (i.e. their bodies, faces, necks and bosoms) and not to reveal their adornment except to their husbands, or their fathers, or their husband’s fathers, or their sons, or their husband’s sons, or their brothers or their brother’s sons, or their sister’s sons, or their (Muslim) women (i.e. their sisters in Islam), or the (female) slaves whom their right hands possess, or old male servants who lack vigour, or small children who have no sense of feminine sex. And let them not stamp their feet so as to reveal what they hide of their adornment. And all of you beg Allaah to forgive you all, O believers, that you may be successful” [al-Noor 24:31]

“O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) all over their bodies (i.e. screen themselves completely except the eyes or one eye to see the way). That will be better, that they should be known (as free respectable women) so as not to be annoyed. And Allaah is Ever Oft‑Forgiving, Most Merciful” [al-Ahzaab 33:59]

It was narrated from ‘Urwah that Aisha (radi Allahu anhu) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to pray Fajr and the believing women would attend (the prayer) with him, wrapped in their aprons, then they would go back to their houses and no one would recognize them. [Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 365; Muslim, 645]

It was narrated that Aisha (r.a.) said: “The riders used to pass by us when we were with the Messenger of Allaah (s.a.a.w.w.) in ihraam, and when they drew near to us we would lower our jilbabs from our heads over our faces, then when they had passed we would uncover them again. [Narrated by Abu Dawood, 1833; Ibn Maajah, 2935; classed as saheeh by Ibn Khuzaymah (4,203) and by al-Albaani in Kitaab Jilbaab al-Mar’ah al-Muslimah]

It was narrated that Asma’ bint Abi Bakr said: We used to cover our faces in front of men. [Narrated by Ibn Khuzaymah, 4/203; al-Haakim, 1/624. He classed it as saheeh and al-Dhahabi agreed with him. It was also classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Jilbaab al-Mar’ah al-Muslimah]

It was narrated that ‘Aasim al-Ahwaal said: We used to enter upon Hafsah bint Sireen who had put her jilbab thus and covered her face with it, and we would say to her: May Allaah have mercy on you. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “And as for women past childbearing who do not expect wedlock, it is no sin on them if they discard their (outer) clothing in such a way as not to show their adornment” [al-Noor 24:60]. And she would say to us: What comes after that? We would say: “But to refrain (i.e. not to discard their outer clothing) is better for them”. And she would say: That is confirming the idea of hijab. [Narrated by al-Bayhaqi, 7/93]

Who are these people? Are they not Muslims? It should be clear these either these people are ignorant or munafiqun [hypocrites]. Now think what type of these MPs will make laws to govern a Islamic country – indeed they are mentioned in Surah Al Baqara in following words:

“Then do you believe in a part of the Scripture and reject the rest? Then what is the recompense of those who do so among you, except disgrace in the life of this world, and on the Day of Resurrection they shall be consigned to the most grievous torment. And Allah is not unaware of what you do.” [Al-Baqara 2:85]

Sources:

Kuwait court rules that women MPs can shun [avoid] hijab [ Source: http://geo.tv/10-28-2009/51937.htm ]
Kuwait’s highest court rules headscarves are not obligatory for elected female lawmakers [ Source: http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/nation-world/sns-ap-ml-kuwait-womens-rights,0,1843591.story ]
Kuwait court rules that women MPs can shun hijab [ Source: http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hJ8lqCF0ujYFP0XJF8cr0MNmIRow ]

Ibn-e-Pakistan

Two women MPs elected to Kuwait's parliament who refused to wear Hijab

The munafiqun in Kuwait’s highest court gave a ruling that “women Members of Parliament (MP) can shun [avoid] Hjiab because election law does not specify regulations to be followed by women MPs” – perhaps Mr. Judge knew election law very well but either he does know what Islam tells or he is a munafiq [hypocrite].

Kuwait’s highest court rules headscarves are not obligatory for elected female lawmakers.
[ Source: http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/nation-world/sns-ap-ml-kuwait-womens-rights,0,1843591.story ]

Allah s.w.t. tells Muslim women to take Hijab at a number of places in Quran. Following verses are straight and clear in meaning:

“And tell the believing women to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts) and not to show off their adornment except only that which is apparent (like both eyes for necessity to see the way, or outer palms of hands or one eye or dress like veil, gloves, headcover, apron), and to draw their veils all over Juyoobihinna (i.e. their bodies, faces, necks and bosoms) and not to reveal their adornment except to their husbands, or their fathers, or their husband’s fathers, or their sons, or their husband’s sons, or their brothers or their brother’s sons, or their sister’s sons, or their (Muslim) women (i.e. their sisters in Islam), or the (female) slaves whom their right hands possess, or old male servants who lack vigour, or small children who have no sense of feminine sex. And let them not stamp their feet so as to reveal what they hide of their adornment. And all of you beg Allaah to forgive you all, O believers, that you may be successful” [al-Noor 24:31]

“O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) all over their bodies (i.e. screen themselves completely except the eyes or one eye to see the way). That will be better, that they should be known (as free respectable women) so as not to be annoyed. And Allaah is Ever Oft‑Forgiving, Most Merciful” [al-Ahzaab 33:59]

It was narrated from ‘Urwah that Aisha (radi Allahu anhu) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to pray Fajr and the believing women would attend (the prayer) with him, wrapped in their aprons, then they would go back to their houses and no one would recognize them. [Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 365; Muslim, 645]

It was narrated that Aisha (r.a.) said: “The riders used to pass by us when we were with the Messenger of Allaah (s.a.a.w.w.) in ihraam, and when they drew near to us we would lower our jilbabs from our heads over our faces, then when they had passed we would uncover them again. [Narrated by Abu Dawood, 1833; Ibn Maajah, 2935; classed as saheeh by Ibn Khuzaymah (4,203) and by al-Albaani in Kitaab Jilbaab al-Mar’ah al-Muslimah]

It was narrated that Asma’ bint Abi Bakr said: We used to cover our faces in front of men. [Narrated by Ibn Khuzaymah, 4/203; al-Haakim, 1/624. He classed it as saheeh and al-Dhahabi agreed with him. It was also classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Jilbaab al-Mar’ah al-Muslimah]

It was narrated that ‘Aasim al-Ahwaal said: We used to enter upon Hafsah bint Sireen who had put her jilbab thus and covered her face with it, and we would say to her: May Allaah have mercy on you. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “And as for women past childbearing who do not expect wedlock, it is no sin on them if they discard their (outer) clothing in such a way as not to show their adornment” [al-Noor 24:60]. And she would say to us: What comes after that? We would say: “But to refrain (i.e. not to discard their outer clothing) is better for them”. And she would say: That is confirming the idea of hijab. [Narrated by al-Bayhaqi, 7/93]

Who are these people? Are they not Muslims? It should be clear these either these people are ignorant or munafiqun [hypocrites]. Now think what type of these MPs will make laws to govern a Islamic country – indeed they are mentioned in Surah Al Baqara in following words:

“Then do you believe in a part of the Scripture and reject the rest? Then what is the recompense of those who do so among you, except disgrace in the life of this world, and on the Day of Resurrection they shall be consigned to the most grievous torment. And Allah is not unaware of what you do.” [Al-Baqara 2:85]

Sources:

Kuwait court rules that women MPs can shun [avoid] hijab [ Source: http://geo.tv/10-28-2009/51937.htm ]
Kuwait’s highest court rules headscarves are not obligatory for elected female lawmakers [ Source: http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/nation-world/sns-ap-ml-kuwait-womens-rights,0,1843591.story ]
Kuwait court rules that women MPs can shun hijab [ Source: http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hJ8lqCF0ujYFP0XJF8cr0MNmIRow ]

I needn’t remind any of you that 13 of the identified and/or caught 9/11 hijackers, alleged accomplices and would-be hijackers were Saudi nationals.

The question is why are we fighting a war in Afghanistan?

Can you enumerate even some of the reasons our governments have given us in order to justify sending our troops to Afghanistan? If you can, should you not wonder whether, since we already are astride our high moral horse, we shouldn’t send our troops somewhere else too?

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/us_saudi_flogging

If you can’t remember why we are in Afghanistan surely you remember that:

- In 2002, when a school for girls in Saudi Arabia caught fire, the Religious Police decided it was preferable to lock the students inside the burning building condemning them to certain death rather than compromise the honor of the students’ families by allowing them out in public wearing only their night gowns instead of the Muslim attire. We are talking here of the year 2002… not 1502… this is about seven years ago folks….

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/1874471.stm

- There is no freedom of worship in Saudi Arabia. There are no churches, synagogues or temples of any other denomination than Islamic… and there too, only Sunni Islamic worship is allowed.  Considering that Saudi society is only marginally competent and negligibly willing to work, the entire economy is operated by foreign nationals that have to risk severe punishment including lashes, jail time if not outright decapitation, if they so much as attempt to worship their chosen God.

- 2002 was a particularly prolific year in the wondrous land of Saudi Arabia. That same year, some Dr. Umayma Ahmad Al Jalahma published a “scholarly” article in the government’s main propaganda daily Al-Riyadh stating that Jews drink the blood of non Jewish adolescents to celebrate one of their holidays.

http://www.memri.org/bin/articles.cgi?Page=archives&Area=sd&ID=SP35402#_edn1

So, why is it that we are in Afghanistan exactly?

Director Bruno Pischiutta and Producer Daria Trifu on the set of PUNCTURED HOPE in Africa

Toronto, Canada (TransWorldNews) — On the occasion of his film, PUNCTURED HOPE, being announced as Toronto Pictures’ contender for the 2010 Academy Awards, Director Bruno Pischiutta has addressed the members of his private social network in a letter that breaks down the concept of his company’s CAUSE.

“Through PUNCTURED HOPE we want to help to free the slaves of the Trokosi tradition and to eliminate the barbaric practice of genital mutilation from the world.

We have other goals too.

We want that the rights of women and children are respected. We want to fight intellectual pollution, stupidity, racism and discrimination. We want to show that nonviolent film can be commercially viable and it can help to make a better world. We want to win the fight against ignorance and bigotry. We want to use film as an artistic weapon to improve the lifestyle and mentality of the viewers, to make their life better and to make them think in a positive way about major social problems that anguish our world today.

Our business identifies with our art; our art identifies with our life. We have decided, long time ago, to live a life with a CAUSE that motivates us, our art and our work. Our CAUSE is driven by high ideals and it is more important than anyone of us.

It is a new world; it is time for a new morality! It is time to put the important things first. We are working for our CAUSE through the medium of film because we are filmmakers. Film is our way to express ourselves and we are aware that our films will live after us: they will become our legacy.

PUNCTURED HOPE is a very important film and it is a product that we are proud of. In the other way, it is only one component that is part of a very complex and sophisticated agenda, it represents one moment in time when the participation of everyone who is inspired by our CAUSE is welcome”.

PUNCTURED HOPE is screening in Los Angeles at the Encino Laemmle Theater – Town Center 5 between November 13 to 19.

About Bruno Pischiutta: Born in Udine, Italy in 1947, Maestro Bruno Pischiutta began his film career in the late 1960s as an actor in films by Francesco Rosi, Nanni Loy and Billy Wilder. In 1975 he founded the Centro Iniziative di Azione Culturale in Rome. He made his directorial debut in 1975 with COMPAGNE NUDE, and he moved to Canada in 1983. His other films include ULTIMO INCONTRO A VENEZIA (1977), ISOLA MECCANICA (1978), THE COMOEDIA (1981), LIFE’S CHARADE (1987), MAYBE (2003). For more info: http://www.editurl.com/3e7

About PUNCTURED HOPE – A STORY ABOUT TROKOSI AND YOUNG GIRLS’ SLAVERY IN TODAY’S WEST AFRICA: Written, directed and produced by Bruno Pischiutta and produced by Daria Trifu, the film is inspired by the true story of an irrepressible survivor. She was genitally mutilated and sexually abused for years when, as a virgin girl, she was enslaved to became a victim of the Trokosi practice. IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0448093

For Video clips & Director interview: http://www.youtube.com/TorontoPictures

The film was an official selection at the Montreal World Film Festival. For more info:  http://www.editurl.com/3jv

About Toronto Pictures (OTC Symbol: TTOPF): Targeting a global audience, Toronto Pictures explores different cultures and addresses controversial issues of our time in dramatic format. Toronto Pictures produces Hollywood standard, 35 mm feature films that provoke thought not violence. Official website: http://www.torontopictures.com

CONTACT: Daria Trifu

Toronto Pictures, Inc.

Email: corporate@filmail.com

Tel: (1) 310-734-8669

###

I have always been a supporter of women’s rights, especially since living in a double standard patriarchal society: A hybrid society without a clear identity as to who it is.

Lately though I think the world has brought feminism to an extreme, while stripping the woman from her identity on the other hand.

While we see those who claim that marriage and changing their name to carry the one of the husband is a form of slavery, miss that women are being made more and more similar to men. Isn’t that a loss of identity or actually a form of slavery?

I want men and women to be similar? NO. I want them to have equal rights? YES.

We are different genders, we have our own individuality, why do we want to mix it up? Nature made those differences for definite reasons and each time I looked into it I think nature has been the one that has done the better job.

I don’t know how carrying someone’s last name or marrying them is slavery. Sorry, but I don’t see it. I am not one of those girls who have always dreamed of white weddings and marriages. Actually I hate weddings and to me marriage is a result not an end.

Where I am, a woman gets to keep her last name (part of the hybrid weird society I live in) and on her ID card you get to see the status of married and the name of the husband mentioned. Yet women get to be called by their husbands’ names and they are the first to do it, not out of conviction but to emphasize the fact that they entered the privileged state of a married woman. I know that this is due to the fact that girls are taught that marriage is an end in their lives, since they are very little girls.

This is the reverse side of the feminism, the other extreme: teaching women that they cannot be of consequence if not attached to a man.

I think we need a balanced point of view somehow, someone who can call the world to its senses.

Feminists(maybe should I say extreme ones) insist that women should be treated like men, they denigrate the “sexy” dress-code and are extremely happy in the shapeless clothes.

I am not saying a woman should look like a walking male fantasy under the pretence that she is dressing to be attractive, but I don’t want to mistake her for a guy either.

Women should look like women and men like men. Our appearance is part of who we are and I don’t know why it should be dictated by anyone. I know we also dress to reflect a certain image, but it would be nice if we reflect the image we really have of ourselves, not the one we want people to have of us.

I don’t like to be treated like a man either. I am not a man: I like having the door held for me, I like the gentlemanly behavior, I like when I am given a certain special treatment because I am a woman, etc etc…

What I don’t want though is not to have the same rights. Starting the rights to fulfill myself and be what I want to be or who I am.

I don’t see why a woman should be seen as a loser if she got married in certain circles and if unmarried in others. I don’t see why a woman should be given a harder time to get promoted and why people would whisper behind her back if she did faster than a man. And the list extends to other cases I cannot mention exhaustively.

Women do have brains, ones that function in a different way, but that does not make them less smart. A man is not smarter just because he is a man.

Somehow women have contributed to the contradictions we are facing, they made the mistake of not realizing that they are just as worthy as men without being ones.

I don’t know if we will ever reach the maturity to judge people as individuals despite their genders, to embrace the differences between them and not consider them as handicaps.

I hope we don’t get to live in a world where the distinction between men and women is impossible, because they both lost their uniqueness. To cut a long story short I hope we won’t have de-feminized women and de-masculinized men.

*Images copyright in this post are property of their rightful owner.

I have not posted about Twitter ethics for a while either (a bit occupied with ethics of Google Wave really) but there is a lot of discussion around the tweet above and I feel strongly about it. Social Media Today is reporting on Penelope Trunk’s original tweet, post and follow up discussion around her tweeting about having miscarrage while sitting in a meeting at work. You will find responses to her post here and here, but I bet you there is plenty more. Why? Because sometimes we tend to cross the line of common ethics. According to Fromm’s ethics theory there are two types of ethics – the traditional (given from above, classic example – Ten Commandmends, and modern ethics where the accepted rules of behaviour are pre-defined by the common agreement of the group they apply to). Social media is based on modern ethics and we all decide what is acceptable, and what isn’t simply based on how majority feels about it. Any attempts to change those rules by a shocking, by others perceived as ‘tasteless’ behaviour end up in criticism which is exactly what the self-regulatory nature of web is about.

In this case we are talking about posting on-line a very personal message that is not really justified. OK, I understand that the author might feel upset about the difficulties in having an abortion, but if we put the tweet in context of what happens next – buzz, CNN appearance, using the tweet to raise money for the right of women to have an abortion I think it could have been done differently – by a blog post explaining how she feels about having abortion when she is at work and about the fact those issues are still tabu for many.

I simply think tweet is abrupt, uncertainness and does not have enough of characters to explain why’s and to take into consideration many women who spend years trying to get pregnant. We all know miscarrage is not a question of hours, it is a process, which gives a woman a lot of time to consider others, prepare a post, justify your opinion (not because it’s a tabu topic, but because it’s a topic which might hurt others!). It could have been chanelled right!

Additionally I see no sense of regret or at least consideration towards women who try to get pregnant or never will be able to, lost their child or have other reasons to find this tweet hurtful, which makes the whole story cruel, in my opinion.

Yes, I am biased because my close friend is one of those women and I know she will be enraged, hurt and very, very sad to see a foolish move like that tweet.

This is what ethics is about today – considering others and making your statement strong an effective in the RIGHT way, where RIGHT stands for ‘appropriate in the community you are talking to’ and community of every blogger and Twitter user is the entire public – many men and women from different backgrounds, countries, religions, cultures…It’s sad to see we tend to forget about it, and when reminded  – we do not care.

After a week that started with a media blitz on Sunday talk shows and then Letterman on Monday night (Seriously, who thinks when this guy ends his term he is going to be infront of the camera on a weekly basis?) and then news surfaced that the White House had informed New York’s Gov. David Paterson not to run for re-election and signaled that the White House wants Attorney General Andrew Cuomo to replace him.

Where does O-man go from here?

As of this week, I have not heard anything about Health Care, but now how we can save the world and the environment?

We have already heard two big speeched from him and the now infamous photo op meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority President Abbas. And then off to Pittsburgh.

So I ask? Where are we on Health Care and why we are on Health Care does anyone want to address that only 8% of companies in the U.S offer paid maternity leave? Why we all have our hand out, everyone might as well have there hand out and does this affect health care? If not, why?

Hay, Just askin’? These guys seem to be able to save the world within a few weeks so why not? Or is it too much?

It’s not like Concubines suddenly left China and returned.  The changing make-up of the ever increasing fascist China Regime has overturned many accomplishments during the Cultural Revolution.  2 main benefits won with long and hard efforts by Chinese Communists during the time of Mao was abolishing the practice of footbinding and concubines.  Both practices were “ancient” feudal Chinese practices to limit the freedom of women.

A Painting of Concubines

ABC news reports that the citizens of China are upset at the rise of concubines amongst officials, those who have wealth.  However based on the interview, the citizens have ignored the real issue which is the reintroduction of capitalism.  The corrupt bureaucrat’s concubines are the one’s threatened with their lives when more education should be done with the people the root of the issue.  We can not blame the anger of the masses, however we should redirect the anger to promote a pro-people agenda.  Read the brief article here.

With the reintroduction of Capitalism, people’s rights are ever decreasing from the student free speech movement during 89′, to the large riots and rallies sparking around the country.  The youth generation are frustrated, workers are pissed, peasants are losing their land and ever so there is a need to reengage in dialogue, what was the purpose and the gains of the cultural revolution, and what should we do to gain our freedom back.  

The Chinese government will cling long and hard to Mao until there is a ripe time to ditch his name. The government will cling long and hard to the name “Communist” until there is a ripe time to ditch the name and proclaim themselves a “capitalist democratic” nation.

Riding off the success and popularity of Mao can only get you so far before the people notice and fight back.  Class struggle is intensifying all over the countryside and the cities.  This is not a corrupt Communist country simply because the country  is not communist nor is it socialist.  Just because you say you’re something does not mean you’re what you say you are.  The theories and practices of Mao have been largely disintegrated by the government while they keep the token Mao as their iconic image of their government.   The Return of Concubines in China will be another battle the Chinese masses will strive to struggle against!

The “Khédé Kasra” global communication campaign made by Leo Burnett Beirut (no I do not work for them, I am just really appreciative and fond of their work) for the Hariri Foundation and their Women Empowerment Program, was released in June 2009 after a big buzz was generated on all traditional media and public sphere.

The Women Empowerment Program aims at raising awareness on women’s status and rights in Lebanon and incorporating gender equality in the social culture
I find it brilliant the idea of the simple “kasra” used to encourage Lebanese women and inspire them to bring gender equality in the society. The whole creative concept on which the campaign was based is very simple but yet you really had to think of that since it is based on both common sense and something people are not really aware of: the idea that all men and women read words in Arabic as being automatically addressed to men.
The increased buzz as the result of a massive street marketing strategy (posters were set up, stickers were distributed in all areas on the streets of Lebanon) generated growing interest of journalists and other opinion leaders such as online bloggers who adopted the campaign and decided to promote it.
This video explains how the whole campaign was executed. Its whole success relies on how each and every mean was leveraged to serve the other. “Khédé Kasra” was awarded with PR Lions in the “Charity and not for profit” Category at the Cannes Lions 2009

This campaign comes in a context where Lebanese women need to actively participate in society and stand up for themselves since they are deprived of many essential rights:
- They cannot give their nationality to their children if they are married to a foreigner
- They automatically lose custody of their children above 9 years old in any divorce battle
- They are still very frequently victims of domestic violence

By Isaure Cointreau

Here are a few things I experienced while in Morocco. Loves and hates are part of any experience though as you will see there are more enjoyable things to encounter than the opposite.

When we arrived in Marrakech our first mission was to find a place to stay the night as cheap as one could find. We eventually stayed at a hostel called Essaouira. It is a hotel where all backpackers seem to meet and the roof terrace is set up as a giant dormitory. During the night you sleep under the stars a few bloks away from the city’s wild plaza Jemaa El Fna. Don’t forget to grab a thick cover before you go to sleep, the air can get really fresh around two O’clock. At sunrise you’ll wake up at the sound of the Muezzin but after a minute you’ll go right back to sleep for a few hours because at 9 the heat is out and you won’t be able to breathe under the pounding sun. Seems horrible? Not at all, I loved it!

The food in Morroco is amazing. Maybe after a couple of weeks it can seem to have a lack of variety between the Tajines, couscous and bastilla but there are two things you’ll never get tired of: Mint tea and cakes. Both can be drank and eaten endlessly, one is refreshing the other is a mouthwatering delight of honey and almonds. However as we all know that all good things have to be consumed with moderation, try not to forget that this heavy food is not compatible with a light diet.

The last day of my trip I walked by a local hammam. It was nothing fussy or touristy hence the enjoyable price. The entry was 10 Drhms (1 Euro) and the massage 50. For an hour I was in a hot and humid room, and had the most hardcore body scrub of my entire life. The masseuse guided me around as I had no clue what to do or where to go, and with her glove she grated my skin. Although a little brutal I came out of there with a soft baby skin. I would do this every week if I could for that glowing result, it’s worth it.

Although you can see that I really enjoyed my stay there are however some details that have greatly annoyed me. Of course in the end it wasn’t that much of  a problem as I will only remember the good times  in this wonderful country. However here are the things that irritated me, just so you know what could come to you:

Bikes and motorcycles are always on the run so watch out for your life because they won’t acknowledge your presence if you are on their route. However if you keep on the side of the road although it can get at times difficult you’ll be all right. Another little detail that annoyed me was the prejudice they have upon the tourist as “the one that has money to spare”. Some times you’ll see that bargains are hard to make as they see you as a giant bank to rob nice and easy with a little pressure and a smile. So try to know what you want and at what price, comparing with other stands, when shopping in the market (souk), or elsewhere.

My last little annotation will be dedicated to the ladies. The Moroccan people will respect you as a foreigner therefore you can feel secure and free even if it is a country where Islam is predominant. You don’t have to wear a veil; though try to cover yourself up avoiding mini shorts and provocative wears. It is just more respectful that way.

Don’t worry if they call you a Gazelle it is not a pejorative term as it only indicates that you are a foreigner and a women. Men although it is less common can at time be called Gazeau (its masculine). However try to forget about feminism during your stay, although the women rights are evolving over there, it doesn’t stick to the culture yet.