The Cold Land with the Hot Sun

Morocco has been described as the cold land with the hot sun. It’s spring now and the sun beats relentlessly during the day. The sky is clear and a dry heat radiates off of the rocky terrain. As the sun goes down, the air chills and a bitter cold permeates. Darkness is absolute and the stars shine more brightly than I have ever seen. It is hard to imagine the extremes that will come with summer and winter.

Beyond day and night, this description characterizes the contrasts and diversity within Moroccan geography. Traveling across Morocco you will encounter rocky slopes; beautiful beaches; lush green terraces; rivers; and snow capped mountains; often side by side.

My training site is located in the Dades valley surrounded by the towering Atlas Mountains to the north and dry, round, rocky hills known as the Saghro Mountains to the South. A river flows parallel to the town providing irrigation for lush green fields and crops such as wheat, figs, almonds, and flowers. Looking out past the community of earthen dwellings and rocky paths, beyond the green trees and winding river, to the towering snow-capped mountains, I can’t help but be in awe of the beauty and diversity of my new home.