A slow journey to Mount Toubkal Marrakesh: Before the Walking Begins I arrived in Marrakesh and met the rest of the hiking party there. The city felt like a beginning, loud, generous, and full of movement. We spent the afternoon wandering through the medina, breathing in the scent of spices piled high on market stalls and admiring the artisan goods displayed with such care and patience. It was a gentle easing in, a way of shedding whatever we had carried with us into the city

Ever since I became friends with Khadija years ago, I knew that one day I would visit Morocco, her homeland, the place she spoke about with such warmth and pride. Born and raised there, she later moved to France but returned every year to reconnect with her roots, family, and friends. In our many conversations, she painted vivid pictures of Moroccan landscapes and culture, always ending with: “One day, I’ll take you on a trek in the Sahara Desert.” Khadija wasn’t just remini