{"id":916,"date":"2013-10-22T08:24:03","date_gmt":"2013-10-22T08:24:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/maghrebi-voices.swarthmore.edu\/?p=916"},"modified":"2024-04-19T19:24:14","modified_gmt":"2024-04-19T19:24:14","slug":"october-in-the-middle-atlas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/maghrebi-voices.swarthmore.edu\/?p=916","title":{"rendered":"October in the Middle Atlas"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Life goes on. \u00a0It&#8217;s the end of October, but the world around us seems brimming over with life and fertility, from our neighbor&#8217;s hedge, full of bees and butterflies,<a href=\"https:\/\/maghrebi-voices.swarthmore.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/DSC07450.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-919\" src=\"https:\/\/maghrebi-voices.swarthmore.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/DSC07450-300x168.jpg\" alt=\"SONY DSC\" width=\"300\" height=\"168\" srcset=\"https:\/\/maghrebi-voices.swarthmore.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/DSC07450-300x168.jpg 300w, https:\/\/maghrebi-voices.swarthmore.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/DSC07450-1024x574.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>to the praying mantis on our bicycle wheel,<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/maghrebi-voices.swarthmore.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/DSC07458.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-923\" src=\"https:\/\/maghrebi-voices.swarthmore.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/DSC07458-168x300.jpg\" alt=\"SONY DSC\" width=\"168\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/maghrebi-voices.swarthmore.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/DSC07458-168x300.jpg 168w, https:\/\/maghrebi-voices.swarthmore.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/DSC07458-574x1024.jpg 574w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 168px) 100vw, 168px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>to the monkeys (Barbary apes) we see once we manage to get off on our bicycle ride up to the Ras el Ma (the head of the stream).<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-918\" src=\"https:\/\/maghrebi-voices.swarthmore.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/IMG_1414-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"IMG_1414\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/maghrebi-voices.swarthmore.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/IMG_1414-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/maghrebi-voices.swarthmore.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/IMG_1414-1024x768.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>In the afternoon, we drive around the &#8220;lake circuit&#8221; near Ifrane and marvel at the color of the (sorry to say) scum lightly coating the nearby lake, Dayat Hachlaf,<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/maghrebi-voices.swarthmore.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/DSC07459.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-921\" src=\"https:\/\/maghrebi-voices.swarthmore.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/DSC07459.jpg\" alt=\"SONY DSC\" width=\"8192\" height=\"1856\" srcset=\"https:\/\/maghrebi-voices.swarthmore.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/DSC07459.jpg 8192w, https:\/\/maghrebi-voices.swarthmore.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/DSC07459-300x67.jpg 300w, https:\/\/maghrebi-voices.swarthmore.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/DSC07459-1024x232.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 8192px) 100vw, 8192px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>the birds on the lake, undeterred by the odd coloration<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/maghrebi-voices.swarthmore.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/DSC07462.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-924\" src=\"https:\/\/maghrebi-voices.swarthmore.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/DSC07462-1024x574.jpg\" alt=\"SONY DSC\" width=\"604\" height=\"338\" srcset=\"https:\/\/maghrebi-voices.swarthmore.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/DSC07462-1024x574.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/maghrebi-voices.swarthmore.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/DSC07462-300x168.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 604px) 100vw, 604px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>and the cows and sheep grazing nearby, with boys playing football in amongst them.<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/maghrebi-voices.swarthmore.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/DSC07469.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-920\" src=\"https:\/\/maghrebi-voices.swarthmore.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/DSC07469-1024x574.jpg\" alt=\"SONY DSC\" width=\"604\" height=\"338\" srcset=\"https:\/\/maghrebi-voices.swarthmore.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/DSC07469-1024x574.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/maghrebi-voices.swarthmore.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/DSC07469-300x168.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 604px) 100vw, 604px\" \/><br \/>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Our favorite lake is the largest, Dayat Aaoua:<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/maghrebi-voices.swarthmore.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/IMG_1442.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-926\" src=\"https:\/\/maghrebi-voices.swarthmore.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/IMG_1442-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"IMG_1442\" width=\"604\" height=\"453\" srcset=\"https:\/\/maghrebi-voices.swarthmore.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/IMG_1442-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/maghrebi-voices.swarthmore.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/IMG_1442-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 604px) 100vw, 604px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>We climb the hill above the families picnicking with their impromptu barbecues and marvel at the wildflowers. \u00a0Who says there&#8217;s no second spring? \u00a0In Ifrane, with the September rains, the ground turns green and a multitude of flowers appear.<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/maghrebi-voices.swarthmore.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/IMG_1446.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-927\" src=\"https:\/\/maghrebi-voices.swarthmore.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/IMG_1446-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"IMG_1446\" width=\"604\" height=\"453\" srcset=\"https:\/\/maghrebi-voices.swarthmore.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/IMG_1446-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/maghrebi-voices.swarthmore.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/IMG_1446-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 604px) 100vw, 604px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/maghrebi-voices.swarthmore.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/IMG_1449.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-928\" src=\"https:\/\/maghrebi-voices.swarthmore.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/IMG_1449-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"IMG_1449\" width=\"604\" height=\"453\" srcset=\"https:\/\/maghrebi-voices.swarthmore.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/IMG_1449-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/maghrebi-voices.swarthmore.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/IMG_1449-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 604px) 100vw, 604px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/maghrebi-voices.swarthmore.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/IMG_1458.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-929\" src=\"https:\/\/maghrebi-voices.swarthmore.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/IMG_1458-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"IMG_1458\" width=\"604\" height=\"453\" srcset=\"https:\/\/maghrebi-voices.swarthmore.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/IMG_1458-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/maghrebi-voices.swarthmore.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/IMG_1458-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 604px) 100vw, 604px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Zo\u00eb and I go for a little extra wander. \u00a0In the upper left of the photo, you can see one of the many local orchards, with netting spread over the small trees to offer shelter from the blazing summer sun.<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/maghrebi-voices.swarthmore.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/IMG_1450.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-930\" src=\"https:\/\/maghrebi-voices.swarthmore.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/IMG_1450-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"IMG_1450\" width=\"604\" height=\"453\" srcset=\"https:\/\/maghrebi-voices.swarthmore.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/IMG_1450-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/maghrebi-voices.swarthmore.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/IMG_1450-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 604px) 100vw, 604px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, James and Jeremy play peekaboo by the lakeside.<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/maghrebi-voices.swarthmore.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/IMG_1431.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-931\" src=\"https:\/\/maghrebi-voices.swarthmore.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/IMG_1431-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"IMG_1431\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/maghrebi-voices.swarthmore.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/IMG_1431-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/maghrebi-voices.swarthmore.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/IMG_1431-768x1024.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/maghrebi-voices.swarthmore.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/IMG_1432.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-933\" src=\"https:\/\/maghrebi-voices.swarthmore.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/IMG_1432-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"IMG_1432\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/maghrebi-voices.swarthmore.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/IMG_1432-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/maghrebi-voices.swarthmore.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/IMG_1432-768x1024.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Back home, at dusk, a boy and his dad turn a plastic bag and a couple of sticks into a kite to fly into the sunset&#8230;<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/maghrebi-voices.swarthmore.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/DSC07502.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-936\" src=\"https:\/\/maghrebi-voices.swarthmore.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/DSC07502-300x168.jpg\" alt=\"SONY DSC\" width=\"300\" height=\"168\" srcset=\"https:\/\/maghrebi-voices.swarthmore.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/DSC07502-300x168.jpg 300w, https:\/\/maghrebi-voices.swarthmore.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/DSC07502-1024x574.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-935\" src=\"https:\/\/maghrebi-voices.swarthmore.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/DSC07500-300x168.jpg\" alt=\"SONY DSC\" width=\"300\" height=\"168\" srcset=\"https:\/\/maghrebi-voices.swarthmore.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/DSC07500-300x168.jpg 300w, https:\/\/maghrebi-voices.swarthmore.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/DSC07500-1024x574.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/maghrebi-voices.swarthmore.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/DSC07503.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-937\" src=\"https:\/\/maghrebi-voices.swarthmore.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/DSC07503-300x168.jpg\" alt=\"SONY DSC\" width=\"300\" height=\"168\" srcset=\"https:\/\/maghrebi-voices.swarthmore.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/DSC07503-300x168.jpg 300w, https:\/\/maghrebi-voices.swarthmore.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/DSC07503-1024x574.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Life goes on. \u00a0It&#8217;s the end of October, but the world around us seems brimming over with life and fertility, from our neighbor&#8217;s hedge, full of bees and butterflies, to the praying mantis on our bicycle wheel, to the monkeys (Barbary apes) we see once we manage to get off on our bicycle ride up &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/maghrebi-voices.swarthmore.edu\/?p=916\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">October in the Middle Atlas<\/span> <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false}}},"categories":[8,6,9],"tags":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p4JDdJ-eM","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/maghrebi-voices.swarthmore.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/916"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/maghrebi-voices.swarthmore.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/maghrebi-voices.swarthmore.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maghrebi-voices.swarthmore.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maghrebi-voices.swarthmore.edu\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=916"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/maghrebi-voices.swarthmore.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/916\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2855,"href":"https:\/\/maghrebi-voices.swarthmore.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/916\/revisions\/2855"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/maghrebi-voices.swarthmore.edu\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=916"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maghrebi-voices.swarthmore.edu\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=916"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maghrebi-voices.swarthmore.edu\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=916"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}