Monday, February 20, 2012

Beni Mellal & the mid-Atlas

My husband's parents and extended family live in Beni Mellal, an agricultural center at the base of the mid-Atlas mountains. You're never more than a stone's throw from olive and citrus groves here, and the air is heavy with the scent of olives. It's pretty quiet so we're keeping busy taking walks and today we visited the gold souk (market) with Idriss's mom. Because of a cold snap, the mountains are snow-capped which is unusual.

Screen Shot 2012-02-20 at 8.52.28 AM

Olive groves are abundant: Screen Shot 2012-02-20 at 8.59.02 AM

A view of my in-law's neighborhood, which is mostly walled villas. Screen Shot 2012-02-20 at 8.57.37 AM

We were treated to homemade bastille for dinner. Screen Shot 2012-02-20 at 8.52.39 AM

View from a small hill at sunset: Screen Shot 2012-02-20 at 8.52.51 AM

My friends at Turner Duckworth will be happy to know that Coke signage is ubiquitous in Morocco! Screen Shot 2012-02-20 at 8.53.05 AM

We climbed the smaller mountain to see the Beni Mellal castle... Screen Shot 2012-02-20 at 8.58.24 AM

Which provides a lovely view of the region (so many trees!): Screen Shot 2012-02-20 at 8.58.32 AM

On our way back down, we followed a mountain stream. Women were washing clothes in the running water...

  Screen Shot 2012-02-20 at 8.58.53 AM

 And we passed a cute donkey. I wish I could have one! Screen Shot 2012-02-20 at 8.58.43 AM

Also on the agenda this week is to visit a big lake and cascade (waterfall) deeper in the mountains.

3 comments:

  1. Beautiful!! I feel like I'm on vacation with you. Keep the posts coming!

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    Replies
    1. Looks amazing! I love that donkey.

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  2. I also love that donkey.
    And I love that serene, green olive grove.
    Thanks for giving me a place to go in my mind!

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