The beauty of Morocco is simply revealed through various forms. Though the world looks up to it for its many astonishing beaches, luxurious Moroccan hotels, as well as significant historical sites, staying in this country made me realize that these wonders are just the tip of the ice berg. The splendor of this African kingdom definitely goes beyond the typical things that many travel magazines would describe, and you can only see its inner glory once you step right into the humble abode of a Moroccan family.

After taking a tour at Rabat, my friend Cita, invited me to have lunch in her home. To my surprise, the simple meal I expected turned out to be a great opportunity to fill my mind with fascinating discoveries.

Cita’s family was truly adorable. They were so polite, bubbly, and kind. They had a lot of funny jokes to share, and they never got tired of listening to my stories. Though it was my first time to meet most of them, they actually treated me like a long-time friend.

When the host of the house, proclaimed “Bismillah!”(meaning Allah), we all gathered around the table and also replied, “Bismillah! before they served a generous plate of my favorite Moroccan cuisine. But aside from the scrumptious treat, what stole a big percent of my attention was a tradition in Morocco known as eating with your hands. A proper way to do this is to use the thumb and the first two fingers of the right hand. I also found out that using all of your fingers is considered a sign of gluttony. What’s more, the left hand is only used for getting a bread and for handing a dish to other people.

The entire hand rule might sound difficult, but I actually had a great time trying to learn about this tradition in Morocco. I bet they also had a wonderful time watching me. Through this simple yet meaningful tradition in Morocco, I realized that the beauty of this country is not just limited to its tourist attractions. Its beauty can also be found in the culture of a wonderful Moroccan family.

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