Wednesday was the Day of Sacrifice, Aid el-Kebir. Approximately 2 1/2 months after Ramadan, Muslims observe the last ritual of the pilgrimage to Mecca by slaughtering a sheep. All the shops close for 3 days as families gather together, as much as possible, to participate in the sacrifice and observe the celebration. Our tour left at noon today to allow Mohamed the time.
Our route to Ait Ben Haddou followed an extremely windy, switchback heavy highway that took us over the highest pass in the High Atlas Mountains, Col du Tichka at 2960 m. Small villages dotted the landscape and goats grazed next to their herders.
The fortified village at Ait Ben Haddou is a group of earth built Kasbahs and homes hidden behind high defensive walls. It started as a stop off on the 11th century caravan routes and is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. It's very popular for film making - Gladiator, Alexander, Prince of Persia and The Game of Thrones we're all filmed here.
We were served mint tea and homemade biscuits at the entrance to the kasbah before climbing and climbing ( it seemed forever) to get to the top for sunset. A few detours along the way gave us insight into how people lived there for centuries. Four families still live here.
The view from the top was magnificent as the sun set over the town and valley. Tons of tourists just sitting and taking pictures.
Supper as a group and off to bed - which essentially felt like sleeping on concrete! Worst sleep ever!
The pictures are amazing (love the guy in the blue Snuggie by the way)! What a sense of history to think of all the people who have walked where you are now.
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