Take winter warmers for the kids when driving

Take winter warmers for the kids when driving

Each visit to Morocco Ive always taken things with me that I can give to the local families - especially the children - and especially when I was regularly visiting Telouet - many berber families are still living and working off the land and doing whatever they can do to earn enough to live on or working in labour jobs and earning only 40-60 dirham a day - miniscule to what Moroccans in the cities and town with big cars and big houses have.

Living out in the remote areas usually means harsher living conditions - ie washing clothes by hand, minimal electrical appliances - so people are making do with less - even donkeys, mules and horse and cart still.

People including teachers we have met or stayed with out in these areas still stay it can be a very good thing to take school stationery supplies, interesting childrens book and arts and crafts to generate interest in their education, rather than choosing to stay a shepherd like their parents to support their family, and take them to a country school to distribute to children - often though it is best to find a gite owner or someone in tune with whats happening in the locality and where to take things to as there is also the rort of taking items to schools and the teachers family and friends end up with it all...we found a good time to do it is in front of the children and other adults at the school.

Also hygiene items that we regard as a necessity that often become only a luxury such as tooth brushes and toothpaste......sanitary towels and wash clothes....these can also be given to clinics that are in remote areas such as at Tabant in Ait Bougoumez or the Ameln valley near Tafraoute for example.

I believe theres still that fine line between helping as in understanding lack and wanting to help make things better in any way and the notion that foreigners have everything and have it easy and give handouts - so put your hand out and you will get something ie tourists are easy to manipulate....

An example of one of my trips was flying to Marrakech with the intention of driving to Agadir for some warm sunny days with friends there but knowing how cold it gets in Morocco and knowing I intended to drive the TiznTest road which has numerous country villages along the way including up in the snowy and very cold mountain areas nearing the pass.
And because we have a very good '£' shop near us with sets of scarves, hats and gloves and sets of light raincoats and packs of socks I was able to get quite a few of these to have with me while I was out driving.

And along the way when I did stop to take photos - especially of scenic villages in the scenic valleys - when you think noone is around out appear children to say hello! And there were my opportunities to give to these children who were in dirty clothes and looking very skinny - might not be a great deal of help but I think its something to at least give them these things to help them with the cold and wet.

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Agadir is a city in southwest Morocco on the shore of the Atlantic Ocean.

Famous with its seaside resorts with long sandy beach stretching for six kilometers. The sun shines 300 days per year. If you want just hang on the beach than you will be satisfied, the beach is simply spectacular.
It is complete modern city different from any other city in Morocco with its excellent hotels, wide avenues and a magnificent port. It is intended to be a destination of European tourists for its cheap fares and packages.

In 1505 the Portuguese established a trading post named Santa Cruz do Cabo de Gué, under a governor. In 1541, the city came under Wattasid "Amazigh dynasty of Morocco" control and in 1572 a stronghold was built on the top of the hill overlooking the bay, the Kasbah. The city became prosperous for two centuries. But in 1731, the town was completely destroyed by an earthquake.

At 15 minutes to midnight on February 29, 1960, the city was almost totally destroyed by an earthquake again that lasted 15 seconds, burying the city and killing thousands. The death toll is estimated at 15,000. The earthquake destroyed the ancient Kasbah. On its front gate can still be read the following sentence in Dutch: "Fear God and honour thy King".

On seeing the destruction, King Muhammad V of Morocco declared: "If Destiny decided the destruction of The city, its rebuilding depends of our Faith and Will." Reconstruction began in 1961, two kilometers south of the earthquake epicenter.

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Morocco cities

Morocco cities are by all standards the incarnation of magnificence and impressiveness,

the magic begins with that quatrain of imperials where the ancient Sultans of the successive dynasties rivaled one another with their fabulous palaces and legendary surroundings...
Their presence is felt in the preserved FEZ, the melting pot of Moroccan traditional genius, the source of inspiration and living history...
Their existence is imposed in the dazzling MARRAKESH” the red city” and the capital of the south where one can attend a wonderful scene of sunrise and sunset ...
Their traces are engraved in MEKNES ”Moroccan Versailles” the long walls of which recite a valance of a king and a history of a nation...
Their spirit is alive in the glorious RABAT, the city of trees and flowers, beauty and peace, where an astonishing intermixes of a superb past and a modernised present.

Morocco marvels are infinite here is an invitation to enter the world of quietness and beauty with that collection of coastal towns.

The start is from TANGIER, a name from legend and a cosmopolitan image where thousands of years of civilizations, embraced by Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean.

Traversing CASABLANCA, a metropolis with a European character and a Moroccan essence, it is the commercial and industrial center of the country.

Reaching ESSAOUIRA the quiet historical town famous by its exquisite site and constant wind which make of it a paradise for artists and a center of attraction to windsurfers from all over the world.

Arriving to the symbol of challenge and renewal Agadir the reborn after a total destruction caused by a violent seism in 1960. Agadir is now among the best modern cities in the world.

Morocco is also the country of extraordinary colors and extreme gentleness which is well expressed in Berber villages and ancient cities in the midst of Sahara such as OUARZAZATE, a town of artistic traditions and historical importance or as artists prefer to call the “Moroccan Hollywood”. Ouarzazate is the real entry to the imaginary world of Kasbahs and refreshing oasis’s.

Agadir is a city in southwest Morocco on the shore of the Atlantic Ocean. Famous with its seaside resorts...

Casablanca is the business capital of Morocco, located on the Atlantic Ocean. Casablanca is a common staring point for...

Erfoud is a vivacious small town located in between the massif of Atlas Mountains and the western desert limits. It is the main...

Essaouira is one of the most beautiful cities of Morocco; it offers a mixture of Portuguese, French and Berber architectures...

Fez is a city lost in time, covered with mysteries. Fez is unique, incomparable. It is the most ancient of the imperial capitols...

Marrakech is among the most fascinating places in Morocco. It is the forth largest city. Kwon as the red city and the pearl...

Meknes was founded in the 10th century, a new prosperity during the reign of the sultan Moulay Ismail between 1672/1727;...

Ouarzazate is one of the most impressive cities in the whole Morocco, called the city of the « Blue Men », it is the door...

Rabat is the fourth imperial city. It is the symbol of splendor and greatness of a popular monarchy. A city with a special structure...

Tangier situated in the crossroads of Africa and Europe, Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean...

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