A night in Imilchil

See the cow (next to lines for drying laundry) in this backyard?

Imilchil is a small, quiet, dusty village in the High Atlas Mountains. I think it would remain an obscure village, unknown to foreigners (and probably even to many Moroccans) if it weren't for what the Rough Guide to Morocco calls "the world-famous Imilchil Moussem," a giant fair held in September that is attended by "30,000 or more Berbers" from the region. It's also called a "marriage market" because it's a traditional time and place for young people to choose marriage partners.

This festival has become a huge tourist attraction (and the influx of tourists has, sadly but not unpredictably, changed the event).

And it is my understanding that it is happening this Thursday. What that means, though, is that on Saturday and Sunday, when we were in Imilchil, there were virtually no other tourists there. And other than a few worn-out signs pointing to auberges (French "inn"), it was very hard to imagine the village accommodating many tourists.

In any case, we enjoyed our time in this relaxing and beautiful village.

Thea, Sven, and Josiah walking through the bustling city of Imilchil...

My favorite part, however, came on Sunday morning when, on the way out of Imilchil, we stopped at Tislit, one of a pair of lakes (the other is called Isli) named for (according to the Rough Guide) "a couple from Berber folklore, whose love was awarded and whose tears fell to form the two lakes."

I couldn't get close enough to identify these guys. Any ideas?

Up next: The road back to Ifrane...