By far the most memorable thing we did on this trip was to visit two Berber families at their cave homes.  They are considered Nomads but have lived in the same caves for over 8 years–in places so remote and camouflaged that you would not even notice them if you drove past. In general, everyone in Morocco had been a little cautious of us but these people seemed actually excited at our arrival and as soon as Lahcen pulled our SUV up to the entrance, the children came running out to greet us. I was first in awe of how happy they were to see us and how eager they were to invite us into the cave. As usual, there is the offering of fresh mint tea (not sure where the water came from as I didn’t see any for the almost hour drive through the rocky barren landscape we drove to get there). We had known about the stop prior to our departure from the states and had packed some toys and trinkets for the kids and a few things for the adults. It was fun and heartwarming to watch them open the things we had brought them and, although there was a language barrier, we could visibly see the gratitude on their faces as well as that of their parents. All the while, there were goats roaming around and fresh bread baking in an open air oven. It was an experience I will never, ever forget and one that I think about more often than any other of the trip. When I am feeling sorry for myself for some trivial reason or complaining about some thing that I don’t have, I think of them and am reminded not only by how blessed I am and how easy my life is but how very happy and fulfilled they were with very little.  It makes me wonder who is actually better off!