A Bike Journey To 'Ahouli'

On route

Ruins on the way

Mounaim was a trooper on our 100km ride...

Resting at lunch spot, BiLaden

I love this photo, second resting stop in mining town

'Ahouli', abandoned mining town

Cool grafitti 

Upon the mountain

What happens when you are tired

 We traveled over 100kilometers in all to visit an abandoned mining village called, 'Ahouli'. It was a cool place with neat surprises all along the way. We discovered a crystal clear lake in BiLaden where we unpacked our egg sandwich lunches to rest and enjoy the silence and beauty around us. We moved on to Ahouli where we found a river and a few campers. We got our feet wet and ate some chocolate to return back home before dark. We ran into a man selling fossils which he gave to me in exchange of learning English next time I pass through. It was a wonderful day. We reached Midelt when dark and ended up getting two rides from locals in the back of a motorized cart. Midelt, dark windy and raining, we stopped at a local restaurant to have hirira. I hope to make it back for a second journey there.

Women's Empowerment Day & Midelt Projects

Peace Corps volunteers come together

 Boumia, Women's Association 

Making a difference

Yoga and fun, Boumia

Chain of expression, Boumia

Girls basketball, Midelt

Late February, I particpated in a day's event in a village close to Midelt called, 'Boumia' where another Peace Corps volunteer lives and works. It was based on women's empowerment activities and working in conjunction with the local Women's Association to open discussion on sexual harassment and problems that women face in communities and what can be done to stop it. I had the chance to introduce yoga and meditation as a guide in healing and have some fun too. In addition, I was invited by the ministry of health and sports in Midelt to participate in aerobics and stretching for the local basketball team. 

March Bike Tour

Marrakech Airport, meeting guests

Bivouac, Zagora

Windy Sahara

Drivers, Rachid and Brahim

Ich Ben Haddou, Ouarzazate

Ich Ben Haddou

Artist in Ouarzazate

Ich Ben Haddou resident kids

Tiz n Tichka Pass

View from the route

Ouirgane

Gloui Castle, Ouirgane

Hotel in Ouirgane

Dancing at Argan coop

Guide in Essaouia

Women in Essa

Essa dog

Making tajine with drivers in Essa

Marrakech women

Essaouira coast

Marrakech Garden

Visit In Fes

Cafe Clock, Fes

'Feefla Harra', hot peppers

Local man and his donkey

Donna and tannery

Local man on roof

In front of Mosque, Fes

Tannery purses

Medina, Fes old purses

Eggs in medina for sale

Donna and me inside carpet and scarf store

Inside medina looking over the tannery

Local cat lady in medina

Inside carpet shop

We met up with another Peace Corps volunteer

Cats on top of hanut, owner feeds them

Just before COS in Rabat, Donna and I visited Fes to meet up with Vicky, my friend from Lafayette, Colorado. It was so nice to see a familiar face from the states. Vicky and her friend, Jane, visited Morocco for a few days seeing both Marrakech and Fes. We showed them around and attended a tour of the windy medina in Fes. As the sights and smells loured them in, I was able to describe my experience and give them more details on Moroccan culture and traditions. It rained, but it didn't stop us from going out. We saw the great tanneries and medina, stopping more than once at Cafe Clock which was a pleasant and delicious experience.