Day #5: Sunday Skoura ~ Off the beaten trail to “real” Morocco
Our itinerary shows this to be our day off from tours. John and I drive with Hassan to the Oasis of Sidi Flah about 9 kilometers away.
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Where is the oasis?  |
Hassan has not been here before so is unsure of the directions. I hope we don't get lost or have a car break down. However John as usual has his google map! Along the way we stop to watch women and children washing clothes in the river.
Seven children ranging in age from 3 to 14 run to us laughing and saying, “bonjour” and “stillo” hoping for a pen gift. We chat with them and they giggle constantly.
Eventually their father joins us. Hassan asks him if there is a place to have tea and he pulls out his cell phone, makes a call and tells us we are invited to Saeed’s family home for tea. Shortly thereafter Saeed arrives via motorcycle and we follow him to his home in the village.
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| Outside our host Saeed's home |
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| Getting water for tea |
We are welcomed by his wife and their 4-year-old daughter who affectionately hugs us with delight. We experience once again the art of Saeed’s graceful tea pouring from a height onto fresh mint crammed into a small glass plus some home made bread that looks like pizza crust served with oil and honey.
We relax lying on the couches talking with Saeed who is 52 years old but appears older than us. Or, am I in denial? Perhaps he thinks we look much older than him!
I wonder about what medical care they get here and certainly it is evident he has had no dental care.
He tells us his father and grandfather grew up in this village which started with just over 100 people. He lives by herding sheep and grows alfalfa, onions, carrots and olive and almond trees.
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| Hassain our driver and guide |
He takes us on a tour of the gardens and through the village. Unfortunately, the school is closed because it is children’s holiday week.
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| School |
Reluctantly we leave Saeed despite his kind invitation of a tagine lunch. On the way back we stop to hike into a gorge which is absolutely gorgeous and without any tourists. Hassan tells us repeatedly, “this is the real Morocco”.
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It is truly calm and meditative and we are alone in this paradise. Afterwards we relax for the evening in Les Jardin de Skoura with naps and massages. Another great meal and yes we have wine.
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