I am Bettina Meister, professional photographer, and your personal photo trainer and photo coach. Morocco has grabbed me. I first visited the country in 1994 and a lot has changed for the better since then, especially since Mohammed VI became king in 1999.

But what has always been the case and will hopefully always remain so: The people are incredibly hospitable. Even if they have nothing, they share what little they have with others.

A Moroccan friend said to me after I told him that we had Sahara dust in Germany in spring: "Yes, you know that we share everything. Even our sand." I had to smile, because that's exactly how I experience Morocco when I'm travelling in this country.

The countless wonderful experiences I have had in Morocco, the people I have been able to meet so far and the magnificent light that only exists in Morocco as it is there, as well as the vast landscapes, the sea, the mountains and the desert: all this has made me lose my heart to this country and fall in love with Morocco. (No, I'm not in love with a Moroccan. And yes, I still live in Germany).

I would like to show other people all the beauty of Morocco and pass this warmth on to them.

Off-road, I bump along a narrow track in Morocco and end up at a gigantic viewpoint. A woman is sitting there in the strong wind in the sun, selling all kinds of knick-knacks and jewellery. She's not smiling. But she impresses me with her incredible charisma. So much strength, so much energy. Wow. I don't know what she's been through, but I sense that she'll get through even the toughest times. She is tough and will never give up. She will fight with dignity and pride. We exchange a few words without speaking each other's language and I ask her for permission to take a photo. She nods. I capture her aura with the camera, I don't care about the beautiful landscape at this moment. The woman fascinates me much more. I show her the photos I've taken. She beams at me happily and thanks me. I thank her even more, because her smile makes me happy. And finally we hug each other warmly.

Tourists appear next to me. They quickly take a landscape photo in less than ideal light, get back on and are gone. They didn't give the woman a second glance. It makes me sad that a valuable person can be overlooked and ignored. I imagine how the woman must feel in those moments and tears well up in my eyes. She walks away proudly, pointing with her hand to a small stone house where she keeps her treasures for sale and which provides her with shade. But at that moment, her donkey wants to go inside through the doorway and she has to push it away quickly and vehemently. We say goodbye and I think about her for a long time. The clouds accompany my thoughts.

This woman's name is Sara. The encounter with her was the reason for the publication of my photo book ‘Morocco - Encounters’. Thank you, Sara.