I know it's been a while since I've been able to post about the rest of my summer travel experience, but here it is! Of course right before a hell week of 4 exams!
I'm planning on making a special post about the rest of my time at the American Fondouk. My experience volunteering there was not the best and there are many factors that contributed to my specific experience there that require a post in itself to explain. I am happy the American Fondouk exists as a resource for Moroccans and their equids and I admire those struggling to run a clinic in the political and progressive Morocco. I'm accounting my diminished experience mostly to bad timing. The UK veterinarian I looked forward to meeting so much was on holiday during my time at the American Fondouk and in her absence I believe the clinic didn't run as smoothly as it should have.
I spent two weeks at the American Fondouk volunteering. After that I spent a week traveling Morocco. I stayed two nights in the city of Fez where I got to explore the city with one of my fellow externs who was from the US originally, but more recently the UK. We traveled 4 hours north by bus to a small mountain town called "Chefchaouen" that was very peaceful and relaxing. We climbed the mountain towering over the town. It's an amazing city and known for it's rich blue colors. Here is a utube video because it's beauty was just so hard to capture in a still shot: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4kY0gH9PpA
During my time in Morocco I also saw one of the largest stables - "The Royal Stables in Meknes are an amazing site, as
this massive stable yard was constructed to comfortably house no less
that twelve thousand of the royal horses. Ismail had a great respect and admiration for these gracious animals, even more than he did for his human counterparts. His horses
were waited on hand and foot, with a groom and a slave for each horse,
to ensure that all their needs were met, stables kept in immaculate
condition and his horses being taken care of. It is even said that after
a horse had completed a journey to Mecca, slaves were forced to catch
the urine in a bowl, as even the earth was too undeserving for the horse
to urinate on. It is easy to say that Moulay Ismail was fanatical about
his horses...Another feature that makes the Royal Stables in Meknes one of the finest
tourist attractions in Morocco is the planning and location that was
specifically chosen to accommodate the horses. There is a canal that ran
fresh water through the stables constantly, so the horses never lacked
clean water. Also, the sultan was concerned about the feed supply for
his stables, and constructed a granary, known as the Water Palace (Der
el Ma), behind the royal stables. The granaries were built on a
reservoir and were designed to be able to store grain for the horse
feed. To feed twelve thousand horses is already a great feat, but the
granaries stored enough grain to feed the horses for twenty years!"
Read more: Morocco.com Channel http://www.morocco.com/blog/royal-stables-in-meknes
I visited a Medersa or school of religion. I stayed in a Riad for one night - which was truly a guilty pleasure! I even got to go in a Mosque! I also saw the Roman ruins of Volubilis in Meknes/Idriss.
To see my photos: (caution some may be of wounds in animals)
https://picasaweb.google.com/hamaleo11/TheAmericanFondouk?authuser=0&feat=directlink
I think the biggest impact Morocco had on me was the feeling of a country being stuck between modernization and it's cultural roots. The Muslim religion and culture are a big part of Moroccan life and played a pivotal role in keeping Morocco feeling "old". Morocco is a developing country, but it is very different from Peru or Bolivia (from my personal experience). I haven't quite put my finger on it.
The tension between traditions and modernization will continue to be an ongoing issue in Morocco. A big part of this battle affects the working animals of Morocco. As the new generation seeks to embrace modernization they have little desire to learn the old ways of how to care for animals and use them efficiently for work. As poverty and political issues seem to be a continuing problem for many in Morocco, they are forced to continue use of working animals although they have no desire to. I honestly believe they are thinking about their near future when they will no longer need that animal, it will be replaced by a motor. The younger generation doesn't think about using an animal for work so it will last longer, but using that animal for work now in a purpose that animal will not be needed for later. Life is tough for working equids in Morocco!
To be continued...in a "Summer of Travel Part 3" - My trip to Poland & Italy!
I'm planning on making a special post about the rest of my time at the American Fondouk. My experience volunteering there was not the best and there are many factors that contributed to my specific experience there that require a post in itself to explain. I am happy the American Fondouk exists as a resource for Moroccans and their equids and I admire those struggling to run a clinic in the political and progressive Morocco. I'm accounting my diminished experience mostly to bad timing. The UK veterinarian I looked forward to meeting so much was on holiday during my time at the American Fondouk and in her absence I believe the clinic didn't run as smoothly as it should have.
I spent two weeks at the American Fondouk volunteering. After that I spent a week traveling Morocco. I stayed two nights in the city of Fez where I got to explore the city with one of my fellow externs who was from the US originally, but more recently the UK. We traveled 4 hours north by bus to a small mountain town called "Chefchaouen" that was very peaceful and relaxing. We climbed the mountain towering over the town. It's an amazing city and known for it's rich blue colors. Here is a utube video because it's beauty was just so hard to capture in a still shot: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4kY0gH9PpA
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| Overlooking Chefchaouen |
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| Chefchaouen |
Read more: Morocco.com Channel http://www.morocco.com/blog/royal-stables-in-meknes
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| The Royal Stables |
I visited a Medersa or school of religion. I stayed in a Riad for one night - which was truly a guilty pleasure! I even got to go in a Mosque! I also saw the Roman ruins of Volubilis in Meknes/Idriss.
To see my photos: (caution some may be of wounds in animals)
https://picasaweb.google.com/hamaleo11/TheAmericanFondouk?authuser=0&feat=directlink
I think the biggest impact Morocco had on me was the feeling of a country being stuck between modernization and it's cultural roots. The Muslim religion and culture are a big part of Moroccan life and played a pivotal role in keeping Morocco feeling "old". Morocco is a developing country, but it is very different from Peru or Bolivia (from my personal experience). I haven't quite put my finger on it.
The tension between traditions and modernization will continue to be an ongoing issue in Morocco. A big part of this battle affects the working animals of Morocco. As the new generation seeks to embrace modernization they have little desire to learn the old ways of how to care for animals and use them efficiently for work. As poverty and political issues seem to be a continuing problem for many in Morocco, they are forced to continue use of working animals although they have no desire to. I honestly believe they are thinking about their near future when they will no longer need that animal, it will be replaced by a motor. The younger generation doesn't think about using an animal for work so it will last longer, but using that animal for work now in a purpose that animal will not be needed for later. Life is tough for working equids in Morocco!
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| Donkeys hauling trash from the Fez medina |
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| The "modern" Moroccan mule! |
To be continued...in a "Summer of Travel Part 3" - My trip to Poland & Italy!
