On 5. April I went to a Trappist monastery in Midelt--a town about 2 1/2 hours south of Ifrane. This is the only male monastery in North Africa. The monks asked if I would return and show them how to sing chant better--so I said I would! Inshallah! They speak and sing in French but I'm sure they wouldn't mind singing in Latin. Here I am relaxing outside.
The sisters organize a weaving project. Local women make rugs and embroider things like table cloths. I thought Veny might be interested in the designs.
Since I embroider, one of the women let me do some stitches. Their work is amazing. I bought a few items.
This is a painting of Dr. Luke--a person I mentioned in my April newsletter. For lots of information about my time at the monastery, email me for the newsletter.
Clothes shopping! Yes, this is the place where we shop! Here I am with friend Monica and a friendly seller. Note that he just gave me some tea.
This is Wafa--my cook, housekeeper and friend--in my kitchen. On this day we shopped together and cooked together.
When preparing chicken, she washes the chicken in lemon juice and then rubs it with salt. The chicken sits in a brine for a half hour before she cooks it. The salt we have here is considerably coarser than what is found in the USA.
The chicken is coated in a particular way with Moroccan spices. Folks here use pressure cookers.
For dessert, we decided to make chocolate chip cookies. Since there are no chocolate chips, we bought chocolate. Here I am cutting it up. It is certainly fun to cook with Wafa!
The Reimer family invited me to go with them to the Sourses of the Oum er-Riba on 20. March--which happened to be Mohammed's b-day and a holiday. This mini-mosque was at a petrol station.
Berber houses along the way. We drove about two hours north of Ifrane.
It was amazing to see GREEN.
Here we are, walking up steps which led to slippery boulders that we climbed over. We even walked over a bamboo bridge that gave us that Indiana Jones feeling. It was so good to see running water (ma a) that I had to pause to take this shot.
I have learned to carry a few dirhams in my pocket and give the money to children when I want to take a photo. They didn't pose, but just stood there as I saw them.
Here is the Reimer family at the waterfall: Julie, Gerald, Kendra and Katrina.
I considered posting one of the photos of me goofing off but decided to share this PROPER photo of Julie and me!
Cookies!
These are the restaurants.
We found a "restaurant" and sat on the rugs. It was refreshing to watch the water.
While eating, I watched this women wash her clothes. I too wash all of my clothes by hand. The difference is that I use warm water in a sink! The water there was extremely cold.
We were served tagine but were never sure if we were eating goat or sheep. I stuck to the veges.
On 5. April I went to a Trappist monastery in Midelt--a town about 2 1/2 hours south of Ifrane. This is the only male monastery in North Africa. The monks asked if I would return and show them how to sing chant better--so I said I would! Inshallah! They speak and sing in French but I'm sure they wouldn't mind singing in Latin. Here I am relaxing outside.
The sisters organize a weaving project. Local women make rugs and embroider things like table cloths. I thought Veny might be interested in the designs.
Since I embroider, one of the women let me do some stitches. Their work is amazing. I bought a few items.
This is a painting of Dr. Luke--a person I mentioned in my April newsletter. For lots of information about my time at the monastery, email me for the newsletter.
Clothes shopping! Yes, this is the place where we shop! Here I am with friend Monica and a friendly seller. Note that he just gave me some tea.
This is Wafa--my cook, housekeeper and friend--in my kitchen. On this day we shopped together and cooked together.
When preparing chicken, she washes the chicken in lemon juice and then rubs it with salt. The chicken sits in a brine for a half hour before she cooks it. The salt we have here is considerably coarser than what is found in the USA.
The chicken is coated in a particular way with Moroccan spices. Folks here use pressure cookers.
For dessert, we decided to make chocolate chip cookies. Since there are no chocolate chips, we bought chocolate. Here I am cutting it up. It is certainly fun to cook with Wafa!
The Reimer family invited me to go with them to the Sourses of the Oum er-Riba on 20. March--which happened to be Mohammed's b-day and a holiday. This mini-mosque was at a petrol station.
Berber houses along the way. We drove about two hours north of Ifrane.
It was amazing to see GREEN.
Here we are, walking up steps which led to slippery boulders that we climbed over. We even walked over a bamboo bridge that gave us that Indiana Jones feeling. It was so good to see running water (ma a) that I had to pause to take this shot.
I have learned to carry a few dirhams in my pocket and give the money to children when I want to take a photo. They didn't pose, but just stood there as I saw them.
Here is the Reimer family at the waterfall: Julie, Gerald, Kendra and Katrina.
I considered posting one of the photos of me goofing off but decided to share this PROPER photo of Julie and me!
Cookies!
These are the restaurants.
We found a "restaurant" and sat on the rugs. It was refreshing to watch the water.
While eating, I watched this women wash her clothes. I too wash all of my clothes by hand. The difference is that I use warm water in a sink! The water there was extremely cold.
We were served tagine but were never sure if we were eating goat or sheep. I stuck to the veges.
Yes, I do believe that this is wheat....
Giving money to the poor.
Behind me are the huts where you eat. Hopefully, I will return to this place. Inshallah.
Palm Sunday in Ifrane! The university students were on spring break so the few Christians who were left met at the pastor's home. You know how I LOVE donkeys and this one was nine days old.
No hands, ma!
Off and on I teach Moroccans English and this is a new school facility in Azrou.
Friend Lotfi and family. Lotfi has helped many people in the ex-pat community.
Hiking. I am looking at a dry lake bed that is marked off for runners.
Was invited to a great family bonfire. I am next to my first load of wood. Another college student--who brought in ONE piece of wood--asked how I could find so many pieces. I responded by saying something like I wanted to be warm and wanted my food cooked.... Gerald Reimer is the fire-man.
My friends Monica and Greg took me to get sushi in Fes. (My first sushi experience was with the Coffin clan.)
February in Fes. It was nice to get out of the mountains and INTO some warm weather!
Looking out the window of my flat. The weather changes and it is all so beautiful. Have enjoyed my many walks.
