it snows in morocco

first view point - we eventually made it to those snowy mountains!view from a berber home berber family home tea break with a berber family host berber village near the atlas mountains village atlas mountains berber market parking lot berber market in asni spices at a berber market taking in a great view of the snow covered atlas mountains berber village in the atlas mountains berber village in the atlas mountains berber village in the atlas mountains berber village in the atlas mountains coca cola and mint tea yes, it's a moroccan restaurant roadside lunch - the best! learning about the argan oil process argan nuts breaking down the argan nuts to make oil

Maybe I'm bad at geography but before taking a day trip to the Atlas Mountains I never would have guessed that Morocco, or anywhere in Africa for that matter, received snow. The entire day was a big pleasant surprise, really.

Our awesome guide, Noureddine, picked us up from our riad and off we went leaving the crazy streets of the Medina behind us. An hour or so later we entered the first valley and got our first glimpse into the varying color and texture of the mountains - they literally change every 100 yards. Because of this, each Berber village has its own distinct look since they use whatever soil and materials are on their mountain side to build their homes. Isn't it amazing how entire villages blend into the natural curves of the land?

Mid-route were offered sweet mint tea and light snacks at a Berber home that had one of the most serene views I have ever seen. We then dropped our host off at a market in another village and (thankfully) our guides decided that it would be a good idea to join him. I was thrilled! Never mind that the markets are only male (the men do the shopping in these towns) or that it was a total mud fest due to recent rains - this was the REAL deal. I'm talking makeshift tents, tables, and weighing scales that looked as ancient as the culture. It was awesome.

After the market we drove higher up into the mountains, saw our first winter snow (woo!), and  then stopped for lunch at a roadside cafe. The other car we were with went on to a restaurant in a more commercial area but this was definitely more our style. Of course it helped to have Noureddine with us to ensure that the food was properly cooked and such. We then headed back to Marrakech but not before stopping at an argan oil cosmetics cooperative store. We bought a few things and even learned a bit about how the oil is extracted from the argan nut. Let me tell ya, it is hard work!

I left the cooperative feeling super satisfied and inspired as it was the perfect end to a very real day. I learned that it's one thing look at Berber rugs in the souks of the Medina and it's another to get out of town and see where and how Berbers live. I'm so thankful to our airport driver, Hakim, for suggesting we do it and to our guide/driver Nourredine whose expert knowledge and love of the area made the day such a special experience.

happy friday!

vintage landscape photosvintage landscape photos vintage landscape photos vintage landscape photos

I mentioned in Tuesday's post that I bought some vintage photos at Camden Lock. I can't explain why I was drawn to these landscape images but I was seriously sucked in after the pyramid photo (!!!) caught my eye.
Holding these printed time capsules took me back to a high school photography class; it was the first time I had ever really experienced looking at the world through a camera lens. I can remember the walks home when seemingly ordinary things all of a sudden became completely enchanting. Everything was a photo. I loved being in the dark room and playing with exposures. Sometimes the biggest mess-ups resulted in the coolest effects. The paper always felt amazing to hold too...the weight, texture, and just the mere fact that I shot, developed, and printed the photo myself.
While there are no more dark rooms for me, these photos were a great reminder to look at the world with enchanted eyes...with or without a camera.
I hope you have an amazing weekend and see all sorts of enchanting things :)
xoxo
If you're feeling browsy, here are three links that caught my eye in the web world this week:
Launch of IOWEYOU clothing via I ART U
Fluttery DIY paper lanterns via Pinterest
Perfectly colorful and simple hand-painted ceramic vases via Studio Sweet Studio