Delicious, crisp fresh bread for breakfast, then back to the square and market with Vicki; explored the local shopping and residential area before giving in and heading back to the Medina and tourist stalls. But no hassles today.
Onto truck to head south out of Marrakesh. Lunch of four cheeses and salad beside a beautiful creek; quickly attracted an audience of local children.
Long, winding, dusty, narrow road with back canopy down to limit the dust (which also meant limited view). Couple of times the road looked narrower than our truck but somehow we made it, albeit it with only millimetres to spare. Arrived at Imlil where pandemonium ensued as everyone tried to organise their stuff for pack mules. (Imlil is a gateway for trekkers aiming to climb Jebel Toubkal, the highest peak in North Africa.)
Spectacular short, easy walk up a gentle incline with views of mountain peaks, snow-capped and misted, mountain villages and streams. We made way for loaded mules coming the other way down single-lane pathways, with children streaming along the alleys and looking down on us from balconies and rooftops. Our destination was Arund, a hillside village like others we’d seen from the track, and our home for two nights is a small two storey house, with a terrace overlooking the valley and the encircling mountains.
The toilet is 1.5mx1.5m with a 1.5m high ceiling, with quat blocks but no hand holds - I wobbled around precariously! A candle was the only light, giving it a shrine-like feel.
We arranged our beds in a communal room and then sat out on the terrace watching night descend on the high Atlas Mountains. Mist came down the valley as the moon rose over the ridgelines glowing almost like snow behind us, casting shadows over those in front. Singing, laughter and children’s voices reached us from a neighbouring house late into the night, part of a traditional musical show for another, Guerba, overland group. I wanted to stay up longer but the cold sent me to bed. Slept well, warm and comfortable. Snug as a bug in a rug - well in the high Atlas anyway.
Add comment
Comments