toubkhal and the atlas mountains ....

On Saturday a large group of us from the conference headed to the Atlas Mountains near Imlil, overlooking Toubkhal which is the second highest mountain in Africa after Kilimanjaro. We all had such an amazing day but more so the deeper we travelled into the mountains and away from Berber hawkers who just do not leave you alone.

You will see in the photos a few of our visit to a local market and how different their lives are from ours. Certainly their lives are harsh and I hope some of these photos don't offend you. I found their meat market far less overwhelming than those in Libya where shops were set around the slaughter square, or butcher shops were denoted but a pole stuck outside with a cows headstock on it ..... The smell is never wonderful. Neither were they pleasant when we found ourselves in the tanneries at the back of Marrakech. Interesting nevertheless.

You will see a photograph amidst these which is one of my favourites - a Berber on mule back, waiting patiently chatting away on his mobile phone. A collision of cliches here in the mountain foothills. No doubt we will see much more when we journey further into the desert for our Sahara trip. Can't wait for that actually. Only eight of us are going on this two day trip, sleeping in Berber tents and eating under the stars. I am sure it will be worth posting about.

Really this is such an easy way to keep my children and other family and friends abreast of my doings whilst away and it is wonderful to share with my 'tribe' too - really enjoy having your comments though I won't often get to respond Individually.