Meet our expert, resident Trip Leaders
Aziz Slimani
"Aziz is an excellent Trip Leader. He is so knowledgeable about his country and eager to introduce his travelers to Morocco. He extended himself to provided unique experiences with Moroccan culture, particularly interaction with the nomads. Eating dinner in the desert camp with local people was an experience we’ll always remember."
–Marie & Lawrence Dean, 7-time travelers, Damascus, Maryland
95% of OAT travelers rate their experience with Aziz on this adventure as "excellent"
Born in: Fez, Morocco
Currently resides in: Marrakesh, Morocco
With OAT since: 1996
Languages: Arabic, English, French
Education: Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature
Hobbies/Special interests: Fishing, jogging, self-defense, playing music (banjo, oud, guitar, and drums)
Interesting Fact about Aziz:
When he was seven, Aziz’s father moved his family from Fez—a city of about one million people—to a small town in the Moroccan countryside. Aziz was raised there, attending elementary school with classmates whose families made their livings through agriculture, growing crops and raising sheep and livestock. Aziz returned to Fez to pursue his college degree, but the culture of the countryside remained on his mind, and he ultimately wrote his bachelor’s thesis on one of the foremost poets of rural life in America: Robert Frost.
Memorable Small Group Experience: One of things Aziz appreciates about OAT travelers is that they are “explorers and adventurers,” and he enjoys encouraging their interactions with local people and helping them step outside of their comfort zones. One experience that was particularly memorable to him was when he and his group were driving through the Atlas Mountains and saw a group of Berber women walking along the road, carrying their burdens almost effortlessly. He stopped the coach and his travelers got off to greet the women, take pictures, and try to carry their burdens for them. “It really made them appreciate the lives they lead back home,” Aziz says.
Aziz’s Insider Tips:
Food & Dining: “France has played a major role in Morocco’s history, so it’s no surprise that Marrakesh is home to many excellent French restaurants, such as Le Jacaranda. Many travelers have enjoyed dining on this elegant restaurant’s nouvelle cuisine, which complements the ample samplings of native Moroccan food that our trip includes. You’ll find Le Jacaranda in the Guéliz section of Marrakesh, at the traffic roundabout where Avenue Mohammed V and Boulevard Zerktouni meet, serving dishes such as beef carpaccio, steak with Roquefort sauce, and escargot, accompanied by Moroccan wines.”
Culture & Etiquette: “During your home-hosted meal, be mindful of Moroccan table manners and customs. Always wash your hands before eating—this is symbolic as well as hygienic. The bismillah, or what Americans call ‘grace,’ is traditionally intoned before meals by the man of the house. Wait for him to finish, and when you dig in, eat only with your right hand. You’ll be offered mint tea, our national drink. Always accept it; offering some to visitors is our way of welcoming you to our country—and into our homes.”