From Souk to Sea: A Trip to North Africa

Ochre buildings are constructed with local clay, stone, and plaster and form a labyrinth of streets and alleys at the ground level.

On the rooftops, countless satellite dishes reach out for the latest game. Though television remains popular, internet penetration has reached 90.7 percent here, the highest in Africa. Imagine using media and technology to connect the residents with Good News from our Father.

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Medinas are often the historic core of an old city, sometimes dating to the Middle Ages. This one was surrounded by thick walls originally meant to protect the town from intruders. It was car-free, with narrow, maze-like streets shared by pedestrians, donkeys, pushcarts and motorbikes.

Taxis packed the streets outside the gates, eager for a fare from the shoppers within, both tourists and locals alike.

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In the warren of souks, I noticed a spectacled barber with a straight razor in hand. Stepping into his shop felt like entering a tiny time capsule. With permission to take a few photographs, I snapped a few frames and waited. I couldn’t resist the opportunity to get in his chair.

Imagine learning a local language and engaging with a neighborhood barber regularly. It’s a natural place to build bridges and connect—though I don’t recommend chatting during the shave!

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Have you ever been to a North African tannery? The acrid odor will lead you straight to one.

I’d never guess that the hides are first soaked in a mixture of cow urine, quicklime, water and salt. This caustic mixture helps break down the leather to loosen excess fat, flesh, and hair that remain on them.

The hides are then soaked in another set of vats containing a mixture of water and pigeon poop! Evidently, the pigeon poop contains ammonia that softens the hides so they absorb dye.

My question is: How was this all discovered?!

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Clay pottery is deeply rooted in diverse cultural and regional traditions here. Artisans craft pottery using natural clay sourced from local deposits and shape it by hand or on a potter’s wheel.

One region is known for brightly colored glazed ceramics, often adorned with geometric patterns and arabesques. In contrast, rural areas where pottery is used for more practical purposes, such as cooking and storage, produce more rustic and earthy styles.

Traditionally, potters rely on a wood-fired kiln to bake their creations, giving the pieces a distinctive finish.

I couldn’t help but think of Isaiah 64:8 as I watched this craftsman at work.

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Do you like cinnamon or cardamom in your coffee? If so, then this cup is for you! It was not my cup of tea.

The coffee here is prepared with finely ground Arabica beans and brewed in a pot similar to what I’ve seen used for Turkish coffee, allowing for a concentrated and bold flavor. It’s typically sweetened with sugar and is second only in popularity to mint tea, another hallmark of the local culture.

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This beach was busy!

I visited during one of the major Islamic festivals, a time for socializing, family gatherings, and community events. Near the ocean, when the heat of the day subsides, it’s also a popular time to play football on the beach.

When you hear about Muslim festivals, take a moment to pray for your Muslim friends and ask God to bless them and give them a hunger and thirst for Jesus.

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The slums of this seaside city paint a stark picture of urban disparity, don’t they? Rows of makeshift homes form informal settlements. They lack basic infrastructure like reliable electricity, running water or proper sewage systems, but I understand they have a vibrant sense of resilience and survival.

Making an impact here would require a keen understanding of the local context, long-term goals, partnerships and a comprehensive approach.

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It seems that fishing is hard work the world over—and those who rely on traditional gillnets are up against enormous commercial operations using industrial fishing techniques.

Some entrepreneurs use their boats as water taxis, ferrying people across the river for a small fee. There are fewer ferries than local buses or taxis, but the journey may be a welcome break from the traffic.

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Ready for a dip? Although this region borders the Mediterranean, this photo is from the coast of the North Atlantic, and that water is cold!

The craggy coast looks almost volcanic to me, but as it turns out, it’s simply the action of the waves crashing into the relatively soft sandstone.

I wonder if those boys were daring each other to get in.

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As I understand it, late in the twelfth century, construction began on what was planned to be one of the largest mosques in the world. The project was never completed.

Today, about 200 columns remain scattered around the site. These columns have stood since the Crusades, the Black Death, the fall of Constantinople, the Reformation, the Napoleonic wars, and the world wars.

Being under a starlit sky often finds me feeling small and sensing God’s greatness. Standing next to these columns made me feel fleeting, yet reminded me that our Father’ s Kingdom is both complete and eternal.

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At a late hour, having traveled many miles and taken in so many things, I expected to find quiet had gripped the neighborhood of my guest house. Um, no.

If you’re a night owl, coastal cities in this region may be the perfect place for you. The weather can be hot during the day, making the evening and night an ideal time for night markets, walks, socializing and dining out. It made me think about how being light in the darkness could intersect with cafe culture.

What do you think?

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