Salvaging
Rain
It
has not rained in this part of Morocco for the past 4 years- don't blame
me if it poured on our entire vacation. I have stopped counting the number
of times I repeat this every day- somehow my family seems convinced I
purposely drew them to a damp, bleak area of Morocco!
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When
it it not pouring rain, we run out of the hotel to soak in the timid
rays. Even then the air is still damp and cold- heavy with upcoming
showers. Add Ramadan to the mix, and we sometimes feel we are the
only walking souls for miles. Witness Amy's thick coat, and the
empty streets.
To strengthen the morale, I try to remind
them that it has not rained for ages, and that we should be celebrating
with the rest of the people- celebrating the coming of water and
the temporary end of the draught. Around us, we notice withering
cactuses and burnt lands. Our waiters tell us that the region is
coming dangerously close to starvation- as the lack of water makes
it impossible to grow any crops. |
We
leave Tafraout on Wednesday December 27th- the end of Ramadan. Around
us people smoke compulsively- as if chain gang cigarette consumption
can make up for 29 days of daytime privation. 29 days since the
start of Ramadan, on November 28th. Today is Eid- the end of Ramadan
celebration. Not one soul in the streets- everyone is at the mosque,
then in family or friends' homes. This is the day of reconciliation-
a time to forget old disputes and start on a new ground. Muslims
have been doing this for 1421 years- and the calm of the streets
is sign of their expertise ( no one disturbing the religious calm).
This morning I was awoken by an unusually festive Muezzin call to
prayer- from the depths of my sleep it seemed as if the entire town
were rocking away. The early wake up was welcome though- and we
took advantage of this morning departure to walk through more mountain
Oasis. The weather was good- and I heard no complaints! |
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