A Day in Fes, Nov. 2008

Here I pose with Duncan Rinehart, a professor at AUI. After enduring DAYS and DAYS of rain, wind and snow, it was delightful to get out of the mountains and down into some warmth! The incredible cluster of buildings behind me is the Fes medina--the largest in the world, I am told.

This photo is from a riad and the fort on the hill is where we are sitting in the previous photo.

I took lots of photos of water fountains that are in the medina....

These are lychees but not the kind I am used to.

Workers in the medina.

Nabil (center) acted as a guide. I enjoyed having tea with his mother and sister.

Olives.

Hike of My Life with the AUI Explorer's Club, 18. Oct. 2008

On 18. October I had the wonderful experience of going on a hike with AUI's Explorer's Club. We first hiked to the backside of this lake--about 1 1/2 hours from Ifrane, and then the students were put into five groups where they had to find wood, build a fire and cook a meal.

I was the official photographer but somehow got into a lot of photos. I ended up writing an article about this hike for the student newspaper.

This group found wood (where there was little wood) and now the fire is just right for cooking!

I am helping make dessert. Apples--filled with chocolate and coated in sugar--are just about to go on the coals.

Sheep are safely grazing....

Mint tea is a must, under any circumstances!

This photo is for Monica. This was one of the sheep dogs and it came close to me....

Now we are beginning the REAL hike. It ended up being one of the most difficult hikes of my life. I didn't think I could make it to the first rise! The difficulty is that you went UP and then DOWN in a ravine and then UP and so on. Also, there are no trails so you had to make your way over goarse and rocks.

Here I am pausing for a breath. If you look to my right on the hill, there are many students ascending. I ended up being in the sweeper position.

At the top of one of the peaks. The branches of older cedar trees "spread out."

The summit.

I made it! Note that it is dusk. We hiked for 1 1/2 hours in the dark BUT it was fun! Great people!

Where is the Water? Esshoul, Morocco, 6. Sept. 2008

In early September, members of the Christian community in Ifrane, travelled two hours to Esshoul, Morocco, to help the people there with a water problem. Their well had been dug by the French around 1920(?) and had been sufficient until this year. The water table is now so low that they couldn't get water. This was my first view of the digging that they had done to try to access water.

The old well is behind the women. Presently, they use the water that you see--and you may notice that the women--as well as the donkey--stand in the water.

Here you can see the concrete old well put in place by the French. Now, animals come to it.

The orange jugs were originally filled with olive oil. Now everyone uses them for water.

Moi. It was hot!

Every bit of water needs to be carried UP to the village. This is a shower on the top of a roof.

This woman has begun to make a rug for one of the professors and his family. Beautiful.

Here are some women who were so kind to invite us for tea---and this during Ramadan.

Not long until pomegranate season!!

Luckily, because of donations from Christians in Morocco and the USA, a new well was constructed for these people in October. Although I was not able to attend, many other Christians went back to Esshoul for a celebration feast!

Sebta, Spain October 2008

Sebta (Ar.) or Ceuta (Sp.) is a 19 sq. km. penninsula that has been a Spanish enclave since 1640.

Looking out of my hotel window was a gorgeous church which was beautifully lit at night.

This area is devoted to the military and here we were able to observe a parade by the local musicians!

I like a mote that accomodates boats.....

Spent time at a military museum that you can just see at the end of the cliff.

A 1901 gun....

Took a lot of photos of barbed wire near the ocean. Why? I thought Veny would be interested and could use the idea in his work. Here, I just liked the similarity of the shape of the wire and cactus.

Yes, I put my feet in the MED!

Gibraltar--the ROCK.

Walking around at night. Dragons!!

Another view from my hotel window.

For Monica!! A melon field.

AND...melon stands.

It was a really great trip and I would go there again!! Any takers??