Strawberries in Winter - 19. January 2008

Strawberries in January -- not June. Can you believe it? Strawberry season began in Morocco at the beginning of January and on many mornings, I have enjoyed strawberries and yogurt on my pancakes while looking out at the snow....

For two weeks it has been quite warm so I am surprised that there is any snow left from the January 2-3 storm. The above photos were taken outside of Ifrane when Greg, Monica and I went out for a hike near the local ski area. We are in the Middle Atlas Mountains!

Locals set up wooden sleds to rent and there are horses and mules everywhere as well as people sporting jellabas. (Not quite like Mt. Bachelor, Grady!)

Monica meets students from Fes and they all have a great time jamming.

The ski area is the inside of a crater. This is one small portion of it.

Monica and I stroll, watch and enjoy.

I'm laughing because I am just about to fall off of the rock I am trying to sit on. I did fall back but LUCKILY caught myself with my right hand. UNFORTUNATELY, I put my hand in nettles!

...So, as I soak my right hand in salt water, I will do the unthinkable and eat strawberries --with my left hand* -- in winter! (And you thought I was pulling your leg!!)

* Moroccans eat with their right hand.

Holiday in Melilla, Spain ~ 28. Dec-1. Jan

On the way to Melilla.... I guess it is pretty obvious that I am buying oranges at at roadside donkey cart. Oranges here are fabulous!

The main reason why Gerald and Julie (2 children) and Ron and Laurie (7 children) decided to holiday in Spain was to see the Christmas decorations. Apparently, Spanish folks celebrate all 12 days of Christmas. A huge nativity was set against the fortress walls; the center circle and park were magnificently adorned with poinsettia plants, Christmas tree and lights; and Christian symbols were everywhere. Each street had lights hung that were in the shapes of Christmas balls, stars or even wine bottles/grapes. (We knew we were not in Morocco at that point.) Everything was tastefully decorated. Visiting Spain was a FIRST for me!

The fortress in Melilla reminded me of Bamburg Castle in Northumberland because it is built into the rock foundation.

This photo is for Monica. Perhaps only in Spain would a dog be seated at a posh restaurant! We ate calamari and sardines here...

We did not eat limpets.

One of the first things I noticed was that cars STOPPED for pedestrians. Also, men AND WOMEN were out on the streets at night. I was also taken aback by the sound of the church bells at the quarter hour--instead of the Islamic call to prayer.

Knowing French or Arabic didn't help: Folks spoke Spanish.

New Year's Eve was a kick as the Spanish people had a grand time enjoying life!

For stories and details, see the January newsletter.

This photo was taken as we drove home. We drove through 6 hours of DRY country--probably what you would expect when you think of Morocco!

I was thankful that the Reimers took me along and had a great time!

Al Hoceima, Morocco ~ 28. Dec-1.Jan

At the end of December 2007, I went on holiday with two families to Al Hoceima, Morocco and Melilla, Spain--both on the north coast of Morocco. It was an 8-hour drive from Ifrane to Al Hoceima. Initially, much of the country looked similiar to the John Day area of Oregon.

We finally got into the Rif Mountains. This is where there was a major earthquake a few years ago.

Al Hoceima is on the coast. We had lovely evening views....

We met AUI student, Achraf Boujir--who is about 25 and is getting a Masters in Business/Finance--and he took us to a cafe for tea. This photo is not much but you can imagine the view of the harbour.

Later, Achraf brought us to his grandfather's home (oops, "palace") for dinner. Apparently, his grandfather owns multiple businesses.

Achraf is quite animated so this photo does not represent him well. He was an efficient and kind host. He insisted that we spend the night at "the farm." As I expected, there was no heat or hot water. I froze. I slept in everything I brought in my suitcase plus my hat, scarf, coat, gloves and boots, and then wrapped up in two blankets! I have great compassion for folks who have little heat.

In the morning, I wandered around outside and was surprised when Achraf drove up with a picnic breakfast. He poured me Moroccan mint tea --and tea is always very sweet--but it was TOO SWEET. So, I had coffee for the first time in my life. Actually, it was 4/5 halib (milk) and 1/5 qahwa (coffee).

Later, Achraf took us on a tour of the farm and two of the businesses on the property. He is passionate about his Berber heritage, his tribe and his family life.

What is this? I needed to be a bit taller to take a decent photo but on the roof, pumpkins and squash are drying.

I found the irrigation system interesting... The main crops were oranges and olives.

The brick factory. REALLY interesting.... The place was gigantic.

This island is owned by Spain and is right off the coast of Al Hoceima.

As we left Al Hoceima, I turned to take a photo and was delighted to have a beloved donkey walking past! The town is aross the water about over the donkey's neck. It was wonderful to be about to visit the city and see it all through the eyes of Achraf Boujir.

Souk in Azrou ~ 8. January 2008

On our way to the souk... A souk is a combination of a bazaar, garage sale, farmer's market and place to sell animals. You can literally buy anthing there.

This is it and the area it covers is huge!

Wafa (my cook) picks out produce.

LOTS of Western style clothing is donated to Africa. My friends and I shopped here for several hours and picked up some nice things.

I was drawn to the man in the center who is eating.

I love donkeys!

Everyone and their donkey (literally) is at the souk. Folks pack their donkey with goods and head back home.

Homeward bound.

BTW, a 2003 survey listed 500,000 wild dogs in Morocco. Here are some hanging out at the edge of the souk.