0231111 Skoura: Got up at 7:00, went to breakfast, and loaded onto the bus at 9:00. We drove a short while to outside an area that is filled with ruins from an abandoned kasbah community. Lovely angles with all the buildings, gorgeous deep blue sky. One of the buildings has a cone-shaped roof denoting that a holy man had lived there in the past.
In walking through and around, there were signs of small plots of ground that had been or are used for modest crops. Ishmael explained that these plots, big and small, belong to various families. And the ditches next to them are for carefully rationed water. Depending on a plot size, the owner might get one hour of water and that could be anytime day or night on a schedule determined by the head of each tribe.
As we walked through the palm trees on our way to another kasbah, we saw water in one of the ditches and found a man using a single-hand plow hitched to two Mexican donkeys. He went back and forth over a small area. He was gracious enough to let us take pictures of him. Of course, we gave him coins for that permission. He even posed for us. Wonder what was going through his mind?
We walked for a bit and got to a dry river bed where, on the other side, was another kasbah that is a tourist stop and hotel. Kasbah Amridil. It was interesting, but the best part was rest from the heat, water, and potty. Long walk back to the bus since no real road to accommodate it. Drove to Auberge Famille Benmoro for a nice lunch on its terrace.
At this point some comments about food overall. It’s generally well-prepared but way too much. This lunch had a salad plate with rice, tomatoes, cucumbers, potatoes, and more. The main dish was a chicken tagine. Huge. Then a fresh fruit plate. Our evening meal at the hotel started with bread and tapenade followed by a big bowl of soup with more bread. Main course was braised beef and a sweet couscous. Then a custard cake for dessert. About the tagines so far, I have not been wowed. Of course, my appetite and what appeals to me are compromised.
Drove back to the hotel about 2:00 where we had free time until 4:30. I did image downloading mainly. 4:30 was a lecture by Ron on some aspects of photography. 7:00 was supper in an upstairs dining room. As with all meals, I get to sit at my own table to east. The upside is that I get served faster than everyone else.
Tomorrow, we leave for the Sahara and taking images of the dunes. Understand the place where we stay is very nice.
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