I traveled to Morocco on my own, as a young single woman, after first visiting with my family and falling in love with the country. While there on that initial brief trip with my parents, I became friends with Hamid, and so chose him as my guide for my longer return 'solo' adventure.
Hamid proved to be the best tour guide yet! Very knowledgeable, courteous and professional- he did an excellent job of sharing with me the real Morocco- showing me more than I ever dreamed I could see. The full experience.
Between the seaside town of Essouara, the valley of roses and the gorges, the erg chebbi dunes, Ait Ben Haddou, Ourzazate, Marrakech, and the stunning landscapes between- it was a truly inspiring trip. He's a very safe driver on what can be nerve-wracking roads (those mountains!)... and going through the desert was loads of fun! Plus his sense of humor and wit are absolutely the best. Even now, thinking of it, I smile again.
Additionally, he is very up to date on global politics and happenings- and so open-minded in how he addresses cross-cultural interactions. Sensitive and articulate, you will come back having learned more than you ever thought possible from this engaging and interesting conversationalist. Plus his multilingual language skills are excellent, and he is always looking to add to his vocabulary.
The respect that he has among his peers and countrymen goes a long way, as well. If you ever find yourself in a bind for any reason, he knows just how to help you out. And I very much enjoyed meeting some of his friends, all friendly and generous people, too. I feel their character speaks just as much for his- it is not pure coincidence when an individual is surrounded by so many good people as he surrounds himself with. I felt so welcome and accepted, and truly honored to be allowed in their world as they shared a glimpse into their homes.
Every location we visited, was extraordinary, and the places I stayed were clean, beautiful, and impressive, and still within my very limited budget. I wanted to see and do it all, and Hamid knew exactly what I would most enjoy and how to advise me. He also knows exactly where to get the best food at the greatest deal- and will help you make sense of the delicious Moroccan cuisine and dining customs. And when it comes to navigating those crazy wonderful market mazes- he is the go-to guy. No question goes unanswered, and if he does not immediately know, he will work hard to find out.
For the photography buffs, he knows which landscapes and viewing points make for the best shots... and if you wish to be on the other side of the lens for a change, he has a talented artists eye. For once I actually liked how I looked in my pictures...
It is not just 'luck' that they came out better from this trip, than from anywhere else. And he works very well with requests- striving to accommodate whatever you may have in mind.
And the music. He has GREAT taste in music- and exposed me to so many sweet new tracks of all sorts on our longer drives (I requested that he share musicians I may not know of from the region). This trip even inspired me to learn Arabic after the beginnings with such a wonderful teacher. And his email 'arabic tutoring' since, has been a continued help.
This is the kind of guy you should bring your business to, when seeking a guide to explore this beautiful country. He is fun, kind, helpful, intelligent, and sincere. You are in safe hands when you choose Hamid as your cultural ambassador to Morocco- he will not disappoint. And there simply could be no better representative to this incredible country. When you meet Hamid, you may very well be making a friend for life. I cannot wait to go back... it was truly the trip of a lifetime.
He really does a great job.