Eating places on the main highways have a familiar utilitarian, non-pretentious air. Trucks pull in for a break, locals gather, tourists pass by them – eager to reach the next big ticket attraction.

With the benefit of local knowledge, we pulled in at Zaida Zaida, a small Moroccan town (pop approx 5,000) in the province of Midelt. “Here you will eat the best Moroccan burgers”, grinned Said our wonderful guide and foodie extraordinaire. He chose a slab of meat, chatting to the chef who minced, spiced and cooked our burgers.

We sat on the the wide verandah at the red topped tables watching the world go by whilewaiting expectantly fro our burgers. A local family were already tucking into their meal. Out the front, more cooking, with rows of orange tagines complimenting the blue china plates laid on our table. Across the street we spied a fruit and vegetable stall to buy fruit for later, and the universal truckstop fast-food pitstop Pizza Hut, its dusty sign holding no allure for us.

The burgers did not disappoint, while fruit and the friendly farewell from the vegetable vendors made our memories of Zaida all the sweeter. Sometimes it is the everyday simple experiences of life that make special moments.