The Sahara Desert is the largest desert in the world. It is estimated that it is as big as the United States of America and takes in the countries of Morocco, Mauritania, Mali, Algeria, Libya, Niger, Tunisia, Chad, Egypt, Sudan and the disputed territory of Western Sahara.
Read more: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/africa/travel-tips-and-articles/77633#ixzz3iM6XPNWH 

There are many websites about the amazing Sahara Desert, here are are my favourites:
Ancient Africa - Sahara Desert
Sahara Desert Facts for Kids Video

As part of the 10 Day Imperial Cities Tour with Nomadic Tours, a camel trek through the Sahara Desert was part of the itinerary. It was one of the most anticipated part of the tour....however Morocco in July is very, very, very hot! 
For that reason our camel trek to the Berber camp started at 5pm. The Berber people are indigenous/native people of northern Africa. 

We met our camels at the edge of the Sahara desert and were led by our Tuareg Camel Men.  Before we sat up on our camels, we had to dress for the Sahara! Our camel guides patiently twisted our scarves and shawls into headpieces that protected our heads and faces from the hot sun and gritty sand. 

We rode our camels for an hour to the Berber camp. It really made me appreciate all those Berber and Tuareg people who traveled through the desert for days on end. I was pretty sore after one hour!  
We were staying at a "traditional" Berber camp (with a western toilet onsite!).  We watched the sunset over the sand dunes and some of the group did some sand boarding!  We had a huge lunch earlier in the day so I was expecting that the desert dinner was going to be very light. I was to be proved very wrong. It was probably one of the best meals I had in Morocco!

We had the choice of sleeping in the tents or dragging the mattresses out under the stars. Naturally a night under the stars was the preferred choice! It was refreshing to have a night free of wifi, TV, phones and sound.  We all hit our desert beds by 9pm and were woken by a drum at 5am for our sunrise camel trek back to our bus. 

This man was photographed in Marrakech  but water sellers or water men can be found throughout Morocco. As bottles of water can be bought quite easily nowadays, these water sellers are more of a tourist attraction and the subject of many holiday snaps and add to the atmosphere of the medinas. In fact, the water sellers of Marrakech have a licence to wander around Jemma el Fna among the traders and street performers.  If you take a picture of the water seller, you have to tip/make a donation. About 10 Dirhams or one Euro each time.  I have a feeling these water sellers are making a bit more money from the tourists than they did long ago drawing water!

So how exactly did a water seller operate?
Look closely at his outfit for some clues:

First of all we see the brass and tin cups. These were used by the customers to drink from.  Long before "Reduce, reuse, recycle" these water-sellers were 100% eco-friendly.





The water-seller carried water from cisterns in the outskirts of the city to the busy market areas. 
How did he carry the water?

Working outside in the relentless Moroccan heat needs sun protection.  This traditional Berber hat is eye-catching but it also provides good shade. 

Finally, the water-seller has to make himself known to the medina.  He uses rings his bell, toots his horn, sings, chants and sometimes dances. 


All around Morocco I encountered these entertainers. They were always brightly coloured, in traditional dress.  Some don't wear the cups and bells anymore and focus more on their entertaining.
Below is a very short video of one in Fez who knew a lot of English pop songs!