Life at the lake

Been using the bike to see the area.  Took a cab trip to the Hassan II reservoir and had lunch.  It was very windy but hot.  The dam was built 50 years or so ago and provides irrigation water.  There is a pipe going in to take water to Itzer.  All the Grand taxis here(for out of town travel) are old Mercedes.  They do not leave till they have six passengers, four crammed in the back and two with the driver in the front.  We got dropped off at the lake and told him to return to pick us up at 3:00.  He made it back at four.  Morocco time.  You can swim in the lake in the summer, but the water was too cold when we were there.  Looked like a great place for wind surfing.Jamal our language teacher cooked a great meal over the propane cooker.  We shared it with a local kid who hung around watching us for over an hour till the food was done.  There was plenty so it was good to share.  Seems there is always someone around to help you eat, no matter how desolate the location.

Met some friends at a park on the way back from Azrou.  Better looking than me.  This guy had a couple girls in the trees waiting for him to finish lunch.  On the way back we passed over the mountains and the road had numerous snow fences.  Must get pretty windy and cold in the winter.  Hope I do not get stationed up there.  Along the road you see a lone donkey hanging out waiting for it's owner to come home from the big city and ride back to a tent house back off the road.  Shepherds can be seen out in the plains walking with maybe a hundred sheep.  

Here is our town's main attraction, the big apple.  Look out New York, you got nothing on us.  The town is a major apple growing region.  They used to have festival to bring people in but for some reason it has fallen through this year.  

These are some of the products the artisans in the coop we are working with make.  They are producing embroidery, rugs, stone carvings for a craft fair out of town.  A very talented group.  The key here is going to be focusing on long term goals as opposed to short term payout.  Taking risk is not a part of the culture.

Above is a photo of town from the road South.  Rode the bike out about 40 minutes to a reservoir.  Will continue out the road sometime in the future.  Need to take water.

Went to lunch at some PCV's house in town and had a great Mexican fiesta.  Homemade tortillas.  Just like Mamasita used to make.  Everyone had a great time and we appreciated the time spent with the newbies.  One volunteer is done in November.  The team closing out their service this year are taking a cruise back to the states, Puerto Rico.  The cruise ships leave the Mediterranean summer season for the Caribbean winter season.