Family Celebration of New Baby

Baby Saad

The feast begins

Host sister, Ghezlane

Host sister, Aziza with newborn, Saad

Host father and grandson

Hanging out with host family and the motorcycle

Host grandma

Aziza's mother in law

Festival horse and riffle

Cute girls in jilaba's

Welcomed by men on horses, my host family celebrated the new son of my host sister, Aziza and, Saad. It was a large party with food and all the family. A typical gathering for the addition for a new family member and male circumcision. Music, tounge trilling and riffle shooting was all apart of the tradition. I am happy to have this opportunity and fortunate to have seen the pregnancy and welcoming process. New life always brings hope and happiness.

Tauoma Visit and Ouzoud

Monkey see, monkey do, Ouzoud

Rainbow at the cascades

Donna and me

Man and donkey

Boat

Men fishing at falls

Alex, Mounaim, Donna and me in Azilal

Kids walking home for lunch, Tauoma

Mount Toubkal, from Tauoma

After hiking, yoga on the mountain, Tauoma

Tajine in Tauoma

It has been nice to spend time with friends working on project ideas in Tauoma and then visiting the cascades in Azilal once again. It's been well over a year since my last visit.

Exploring Morocco by Bike

Our group

The beginning, Col Agdz, Ouarzazate

Biviouac, Zagora

Camel guide, Ouarzazate

Me on the camel-December 25, 2012

Happy camels

Bivouac

Moonlight on the sand dunes in the Sahara, African Nights

Bivouac candle set up

Yoga at sunrise

Driver and friend, M'hamed

Ich Ben Haddou casbah, Ouarzazate

On the route

Guide at Ich Ben Haddou

Dinner at Hotel

Woman on Tik Fist Hike, Ouirgane

Tin Mal Mosque, oldest in Morocco, Ouirgane

Tea demo at hotel in Ouirgane

Essaouira

Essaouira sunset

Eye spy in Essaouira

Scarf tying demo for guest on New Years eve, Essa

Photo at Marjorelle Gardens, Marrakech

Famous guide, Mustapha, Marrakech

At Riad El Fenn, Marrakech

Marrakech shopping

Another bike tour in Morocco from Ouarzazate to Essaouira to Marrakech. It's always different as each tour has something special in store. It was fun cycling with other American's on Christmas and the New Years. We enjoyed lots of scenic cycling, riding camels on the Saharan dunes, fine food and drinks, music, visiting co-ops such as carpets and pottery and Argan oil cooperative as well as an old Koranic Library and shopping for unique jewelry. During our time together, we learned about one another as well as Moroccan culture, which didn't leave a lot of time for rest. Alas, my experience is proving to be better with each tour. I am fortunate to be enjoying this opportunity in being able to teach about Morocco and my experiences in Peace Corps and learning from those that join me in their special journey to Morocco.  

Traveling in Rabat and Midelt

Bus ride from Midelt to Rabat

Somewhere outside Azrou on bus

Beautiful rainbow by the ocean

Tracy and me

Hamburger reminds me of home

Sun sets over mountains towards Midelt

Midelt

Gorgeous sun set at suq Jamaa

Midelt 

Dusk by ocean in Rabat

Gateway in Rabat

This trip was meant to get a flu shot in Rabat which was mandatory by Peace Corps this year. Seven and a half hour bus ride from Midelt to Rabat made for a long day especially just for a flu shot. I had time to visit the ocean and meet new friends which was worth the trip. Another trip to Midelt was just as beautiful as before only the mountains were snow capped and reminded me of the Colorado mountains. There, I snapped my camera every chance I got to capture the ongoing beauty. I am fortunate in being able to take time away to get traveling in and enjoy the scenery no matter the weather. From one extreme to another, I am still impressed by Morocco's diverse beauty.