On to Taroudant

We decided to take the road through the Tizi N’Test pass to Taroudant instead of taking the interstate to Agadir and then east to Taroudant. It was a national road so we did not expect it to be that difficult and it would be a lot more interesting. Constructed in the 1930’s, it is the highest pass in Morocco – and we needed at least one superlative. Well it certainly was interesting – the views were spectacular. We knew that the road was being repaired after the terrible earthquake. We did not realize that that included well over 50% of the road. Nor did we appreciate the tremendous destruction of the villages in the back country. Reconstructing a mountain road means that there is no possible alternate route. When the road is full of huge boulders which have been dug out of the cliff face by serious road building equipment, you just have to wait until they have been removed before you can pass. We expected a 4 to 5 hour trip and got an 8 hour one. And it was very rough and dusty. We had hoped that we might be able to wild camp in the mountains, but there were simply no safe spots. But, as noted, the views were indeed spectacular!

Taroudant was our next stop. It proved to be much more fun than we expected. A small, fortified town, it still has its ramparts, though in some parts they have had to be repaired.

One of the recommended ways to enjoy the ramparts is to take a horse carriage around them. We love these and it gave us a much better idea of the old town than walking would have. 

We then picked a restaurant for a cup of coffee in the main square and noted the Toureg man selling items in the shade of a large tree. This, again, reminded us of our trip through Niger and Algeria, back in 1974. 

As we were drinking our coffee and people watching, an older man in a costume and carrying a golden flag walked by, heading for the souk. This was interesting, so we followed. Then we heard the sound of drums and pipes and we had to investigate.  Follow that music!

It proved to be a number of people playing pipes and drums and carrying flags. They set off and proceeded to stop at various places in the souk to play and burn incense. 

We were not sure of the reason for the parade, (Probably religious, Sufi?) but it was great fun and we joined the many people following them and taking photos whenever they stopped.  If they could take photos, so could we. And there was not a tourist in sight. They had a beat and they danced to it.

We headed back to the main square for lunch and watched the band come by again.

After lunch, Denise sought out vegetable and fruit barrows to supplement her food stocks. Then we walked to the taxi rank and got a ride back to the campground.