Morocco Day 11

We had a 9 AM start today with 4x4 vehicles. The red rocks in the area are quite dramatic and beautiful. Our first stop was at a rock formation known as Le Chapeau de Napoleon (Napoleon’s Hat).

We also stopped by a Berber camp for a brief visit.

Then we went by the Painted Rocks. These were first painted in 1984 by Belgian artist Jean Verame and a team of Moroccan fireman who hosed a large area of rocks with 18 tons of paint. It was similar to a project he did in the Sinai. The rocks were redone in 2010 by a local man. I had read about them and wasn’t too sure wasn’t too sure what to expect. But they were actually quite interesting and beautiful. My camera and I would have liked to explore them further but we weren’t given all that much time.

Onward and upward. Oh my gosh - the switchbacks, curves and turns! There was very little traffic on the road and the area was vast and stunning.

We drove quite awhile then got out for our hike. It was an easy one, on pavement, amongst the palm trees which provided some shade. We were surprised to see so many homes along the way, even a store.

Our destination was our lunch stop – a Berber home in a small village. After about an hour and a half or so, the road forked and some of us decided to hitch a ride the rest of the way with the 4x4s. Apparently we missed ‘the best part’ of the walk. Oh well, c’est la vie!

The small village had a church but we didn’t see many people there at all. We were welcomed into the host home and sat down on cushions on the floor. It was so very cool and quiet and some of us nodded off, me included.

When the rest of the group arrived, we were served a delicious chicken tagine. There was one very large plate of tangine for every 5 of us to share. We were given a large spoon and ate it directly from the same dish. Traditional Berber style is to eat with one’s hands.

Afterwards we had some traditional Moroccan mint tea with sucre – so good. The family had an enchanting 2 year old son who visited with the group.

Bertha, a real people person, wanted to meet the woman of the house so I followed her upstairs. I was amazed at the sparseness of her kitchen and home, and the fact she prepared such a delicious meal for so many people with so little.

She was a very beautiful woman and let us take photographs, including her hennaed hands.

The trip back was via another route. Different road, different scenery.

At one point along the way back, our drivers stopped and parked by the side of the road and stopped to pick various wild herbs for tea and perhaps for cooking as well.

When we got back to town, we had a little tour. Tafroute is known for a particular type of Berber shoe/slipper and several people bought some. 

Three of the guys, including Mike, decided they needed a shave and headed off to find a barber – a Berber barber, haha! Mike couldn’t remember when his face has felt so smooth! The group wanted to walk back but I didn’t so I wandered around town. I bought a Coke Zero and some argan soap. Some was lavender scented, and some was mixed with olive oil. I can hardly wait to try it!

Supper was delicious again. This time I had spaghetti and Mike had the chicken, the opposite of last night. I also had Moroccan wine with supper, which generally comes from the Meknes area.