05 June 2011

Zaouia d'Ifrane hike

Yesterday, I went on a hike with a Brazilian, a Moroccan, an American, and a Portuguese-Canadian (sounds like the set up for a joke, doesn't it?). Our hike began in Zaouia d'Ifrane, a (somewhat) nearby village with a name confusingly similar to the name of the town in which I live (ifrane means "caves").

We hiked to the top of the cliff/ridge in the background.

This was one of the most visually interesting Moroccan towns I have been in!

I made this picture extra large so you might be able to see the baby stork in the nest.




We hiked out of town along wide, well-used paths.

Looking up at the waterfall from the bottom

The flowering pink bushes are oleander. They are in full bloom all over the country right now.

Not far out of town, we hiked (scrambled, really) up to some shallow caves. Near the top of the cliff/ridge, we stopped for lunch under a live oak tree.

Kolin and Amina in a tree

Josiah in a tree (try to determine the original angle of this tree and of the tree in the previous picture)
At the top, we found small fields of grain. Several villagers were up there harvesting the grain with handheld scythes or sickles.

Piles of harvested grain
It was yet another day that made me thankful for the people in my life and for the opportunity to live in Morocco.

3 comments:

  1. What a find, JABS--you'll want to visit this beautiful place again, I imagine! I've been thinking of you and wondering what you were up to now that you're between semesters. Between rain storms we mow/bale our lawn, plant flowers/garden, and watch the birds do their spring thing. Take good care!

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  2. JABS,
    I especially love the second and fourth from the top. I've never seen such a steep waterfall - the picture has a surreal "Harry Potter" vibe to it with the forest greens, shrubbery overhanging from ancient rock formations, and the old brick building. As for # 4 - well, am I presumptuous in guessing that you were thinking of me when you posted it? :)

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  3. Wow, that is incredibly beautiful! Love the waterfall (and the cat too...)

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