Headed to Chauen; re-routed into politics

As part of my effort to meet Moroccan veterans of the Spanish Civil War, I set up an appointment a couple weeks ago with the representative of the Association Nationale des Anciens Combattants (ANAC) in the beautiful blue northern town of Chauen. Little did I know that my interaction with him would end up being a lesson on the Moroccan political environment.

Of pork, paella and critical thinking

Last Sunday my friends Ahmed and Meriam invited me home for lunch with them and their two children, Atimad (age 12) and Hatim (age 9).* Highlights from the meal that nearly knocked my pants off for their sheer abnormality:

1. We didn't eat Moroccan food. Instead, Meriam made a tasty Spanish paella.