Good morning from Hotel Yasmina

We awoke the next morning to the sound of the wind whistling loudly outside of our windows. The wind was ferocious and it was cold! This was not what we expected. We were even due to have rain! This was not what we expected. Yesterday had been sunny and hot. We were prepared to go to the desert on our might camel steeds and sweat!
However, the caravan doesn't depart each day until late in the afternoon, so we had time to kill and time for the weather to change.

So, after breakfast, but no swimming as the boys were hoping far like last night ... It was so cold, we were in layers of clothing.

Since we had time to kill during the day, we were able to hire a guide to take us by car down along the communites along the base of the dunes and let us visit some of the interesting parts of life. Our guide was Abraham. He was excellent. His English was very good and he had a wealth of information to share with us.

First, we visited a community farming area. Abraham was very thorough in showing us the well system:

the shared farming area:

the irrigations system:

While driving around, we passed an area that is the set for a new movie. Filming had just started the day before. The movie is called "The Physician" and will star Ben Kingsley. Sadly, we did not get to see him nor were we called upon to be extras in the movie!



Next, we sent to visit a small community that is the home to people whose familes originally came from Sudan. They are certainly Moroccan citizens, but have retained some of their Sudanese culture. Some of the men have a singing and dancing group. Apparently, they are quite famous and have performed at some official singing festivals. They performed for us. Jenny bought the CD and a set of their musical "castonets".

After this, we took off across the sand back toward the Hotel Yasmina to rest and get ready for our camel trek out to the desert!!