Ifrane is a town and ski resort in the Middle Atlas region of Morocco (population 73,782 in November 2014).Ifrane is 1,665 m (5,463 ft) in elevation and is part of the Meknès-Tafilalet region. In Tamazight, the regional Berber language, "ifran" means caves.
Developed by the French during the protectorate era for their administration due to its Alpine climate, this Moroccan town has a remarkable European style, as if it were an Alpine village. Because of its elevation, the town experiences snow during the winter months and a cool climate during the summer. Ifrane is also the place where the lowest temperature was ever recorded in Africa: -24 °C. Animals to be found in the vicinity include the threatenedBarbary Macaque.Among the local tree species are the native Atlas cedar, Scrub oak and the introduced London plane.
The first permanent settlement of the area dates to the 16th century, when the Sharif of Sîdî 'Abd al-Salâm established his community in theTizguit Valley, seven km downstream from the present town. By the mid-17th century the zâwiyah was well enough established to receive an extensive iqtâ' (land grant) from the 'Alâwî sultan Mûlây Rashîd b. Muhammad. While the founder’s lineage and the inhabitants were ethnically Arab, big groups of bebers from neighbouring areas migrated to the city which has made most inhabitant speak Central Atlas Tamazight.
Ifrane is a colonial “hill station”, and a “garden city”. It is also an “imperial city”, a mountain resort, a provincial administrative center, and a college town.
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Moroccans are extremely hospitable and very tolerant. Though most people are religious, they are generally easy-going, and most young Moroccan women don’t wear a veil, though they may well wear a headscarf. Nonetheless, you should try not to affront people’s religious beliefs, especially those of older, more conservative people, by, for example, wearing skimpy clothes, kissing and cuddling in public, or eating or smoking in the street during Ramadan.
Clothes are particularly important: many Moroccans, especially in rural areas, may be offended by clothes that do not fully cover parts of the body considered “private”, including both legs and shoulders, especially for women. It is true that in cities Moroccan women wear short-sleeved tops and knee-length skirts (and may suffer more harassment as a result), and men may wear sleeveless T-shirts and above-the-knee shorts. However, the Muslim idea of “modest dress” (such as would be acceptable in a mosque, for example) requires women to be covered from wrist to ankle, and men from over the shoulder to below the knee. In rural areas at least, it is a good idea to follow these codes, and definitely a bad idea for women to wear shorts or skirts above the knee, or for members of either sex to wear sleeveless T-shirts or very short shorts. Even ordinary T-shirts may be regarded as underwear, particularly in rural mountain areas. The best guide is to note how Moroccans dress locally.
When invited to a home, you normally take your shoes off before entering the reception rooms – follow your host’s lead. It is customary to take a gift: sweet pastries or tea and sugar are always acceptable, and you might even take meat (by arrangement – a chicken from the countryside for example, still alive of course) to a poorer home.
Tipping
You’re expected to tip – among others – waiters in cafés (1dh per person) and restaurants (5dh or so in moderate places, 10–15 percent in upmarket places); museum and monument curators (3–5dh); gardiens de voitures (5dh); filling station attendants (3–5dh); and porters who load your baggage onto buses (5dh). Taxi drivers do not expect a tip, but always appreciate one.
Mosques
Without a doubt, one of the major disappointments of travelling in Morocco if you are not Muslim is not being allowed into its mosques. The only exceptions are the partially restored Almohad structure of Tin Mal in the High Atlas, the similarly disused Great Mosque at Smara in the Western Sahara, the courtyard of the sanctuary-mosque of Moulay Ismail in Meknes and the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca. Elsewhere, if you are not a believer, you’ll have to be content with an occasional glimpse through open doors, and even in this you should be sensitive: people don’t seem to mind tourists peering into the Kairaouine Mosque in Fez (the country’s most important religious building), but in the country you should never approach a shrine too closely.
This rule applies equally to the numerous whitewashed koubbas – the tombs of marabouts, or local saints (usually domed: koubba actually means “dome”) – and the “monastic” zaouias of the various Sufi brotherhoods. It is a good idea, too, to avoid walking through graveyards, as these also are regarded as sacred places.
Women in Morocco
There is no doubt that, for women especially, travelling in Morocco is a very different experience from travelling in a Western country. One of the reasons for this is that the separate roles of the sexes are much more defined than they are in the West, and sexual mores much stricter. In villages and small towns, and even in the Medinas of large cities, many women still wear the veil and the street is strictly the man’s domain. Most Moroccan men still expect to marry a virgin, and most women would never smoke a cigarette or drink in a bar, the general presumption being that only prostitutes do such things.
It should be said, however, that such ideas are gradually disappearing among the urban youth, and you will nowadays find some Moroccan women drinking in the more sophisticated bars, and even more often in cafés, which were, until quite recently, an all-male preserve. In the Villes Nouvelles of large cities, and especially in the Casa–Rabat–El Jadida area, and in Marrakesh, you’ll see most women without a veil or even a headscarf. You’ll also see young people of both sexes hanging out together, though you can be sure that opportunities for premarital sex are kept to a minimum. Even in traditional Moroccan societies, mountain Berber women, who do most of the hard work, play a much more open role in society, and rarely use a veil.
Sexual harassment
Different women seem to have vastly different experiences of sexual harassment in Morocco. Some travellers find it persistent and bothersome, while others have little or no trouble with it at all. Many women compare Morocco favourably with Spain and other parts of southern Europe, but there is no doubt that, in general, harassment of tourists here is more persistent than it is in northern Europe or the English-speaking world.
Harassment will usually consist of men trying to chat you up or even asking directly for sex, and it can be constant and sometimes intimidating. In part this is to do with Moroccan men’s misunderstanding of Western culture and sexual attitudes, and the fact that some think they can get away with taking liberties with tourists that no Moroccan woman would tolerate.
The obvious strategies for getting rid of unwanted attention are the same ones that you would use at home: appear confident and assured and you will avoid a lot of trouble. Making it clear that you have the same standards as your Moroccan counterparts will usually deter all but the most insistent of men. No Moroccan woman would tolerate being groped in the street for example, though they may often have to put up with catcalls and unwanted comments. Traditionally, Moroccan women are coy and aloof, and uninhibited friendliness – especially any kind of physical contact between sexes – may be seen as a come-on, so being polite but formal when talking to men will diminish the chances of misinterpretation. The negative side to this approach is that it can also make it harder for you to get to know people, but after you’ve been in the country for a while, you will probably develop a feel for the sort of men with whom this tactic is necessary. It is also wise not to smoke in public, as some men still seem to think this indicates that you are available for sex.
How you dress is another thing that may reduce harassment. Wearing “modest” clothes (long sleeves, long skirts, baggy rather than tight clothes) will give an impression of respectability. Wearing a headscarf to cover your hair and ears will give this impression even more. One reader told us she felt a headscarf was “the single most important item of dress”, adding that you can pull it over your face as a veil if unwanted male attention makes you feel uncomfortable. Indeed, Western liberals often forget that the purpose of wearing a veil is to protect women rather than to oppress them. However, you will notice that many Moroccan women totally ignore the traditional dress code, and do not suffer excessive harassment as a result. As for immodestly dressed women being taken for prostitutes, the fact is that actual sex workers in Morocco are often veiled from head to foot, as much to disguise their identities as anything else.
Other strategies to steer clear of trouble include avoiding eye contact, mentioning a husband who is nearby, and, if travelling with a boyfriend or just with a male friend, giving the impression that he is your husband. You should also avoid physical contact with Moroccan men, even in a manner that would not be considered sexual at home, since it could easily be misunderstood. If a Moroccan man touches you, on the other hand, he has definitely crossed the line, and you should not be afraid to make a scene. Shouting “Shooma!” (“Shame on you!”) is likely to result in bystanders intervening on your behalf, and a very uncomfortable situation for your assailant.
It is often said that women are second-class citizens in Islamic countries, though educated Muslim women are usually keen to point out that this is a misinterpretation of Islam. While sex equality has a long way to go in Morocco, in some ways, at least in theory, the sexes are not as unequal as they seem. Men traditionally rule in the street, which is their domain, the woman’s being the home. One result is that Moroccan women will receive their friends at home rather than meet them in, say, a café (although this is slowly changing) and this can make it difficult for you to get to know Moroccan women. One place where you can meet up with them is the hammam. It may also be that if you are travelling with a man, Moroccan men will address him rather than you – but this is in fact out of respect for you, not disrespect, and you will not be ignored if you join in the conversation. In any case, however interpreted, Islam most certainly does not condone sexual harassment, and nor do any respectable Moroccans. Being aware of that fact will make it seem a lot less threatening.
Verlaat het strand voor een paar uur en ga op ontdekkingstocht naar het fantastische erfgoed van Oujda. Cultuur, kunstnijverheid, monumenten, geniet op uw gemak van deze vreedzame stad.
Ontspanning en ontdekkingen
Strand van Saïdia
Maak een excursie naar Oujda, 60 km ten zuiden van Saïdia. Een perfect behouden gebleven schilderachtige medina met zijn souks waar u volop lokale kunstnijverheid vindt, en de fiere verdedigingswerken van de kashba. Een hartelijke plaats die u met open armen ontvangt.
Een boeiende geschiedenis
U bereikt de oude medina, aan de oostelijke kant, via een indrukwekkende ogivale poort met ter weerszijde een bastion, Bab Sidi Abdel Wahab. Volgens de legende werden de afgehakte hoofden van rebellen hier aan de bevolking getoond. Bab El Gharbi, een van de drie belangrijkste poorten van de medina, is van bescheidener afmetingen maar eveneens bijzonder mooi. Deze poort, aan de westkant van de medina, kleurt rood in de ondergaande zon. De veelbewogen geschiedenis van deze eeuwenoude stad zal u zeker boeien.
Een spirituele stop
Jachthaven
De grote moskee, uit het einde van de 13de eeuw, is het oudste monument van de medina. De drie fonteinen, langs de muren van de moskee, dragen bij tot een rustgevende sfeer die de godsdienstbeoefening ten goede komt. Via een straat rechts van de hoofdingang van de moskee komt u bij een meesterwerk van de 14de eeuwse architectuur, de merinidische medersa. Deze koranschool wordt beschouwd als het pronkstuk van Oujda.
Paleis en muziek
In 1938 heeft een rijke handelaar een prachtig paleis laten bouwen, Dar Sebti, dat te bezichtigen is. Er is nu een cultureel centrum gevestigd dat gewijd is aan de Arabisch-Andalusische muziek, de gharnatie muziek. Met een beetje geluk kunt u een schouwspel van traditionele zang en laalaoui dans bijwonen …
Te onthouden :
Saïdia is het ideale vertrekpunt voor een bezoek aan Oujda, een stad omgeven door imposante stadsmuren met prachtige poorten, met zijn souks, muziek en dans die een ontdekkingstocht zeker waard zijn.
Alcazarseguir es una localidad del litoral mediterráneo, entre Tánger y Ceuta, en la margen derecha del río del mismo nombre, en la región de Yebala, al noroeste de Marruecos. Administrativamente pertenece a la prefectura de Fahs Anjra de la región Tánger-Tetuán. Tiene una pobalción de 10.995 habitantes según el censo de 2004.1
La localidad se encuentra a pocos kilómetros del puerto Tánger-Med, que será el más grande de África una vez inaugurado a mediados de 2010.Localizada en el estrecho de Gibraltar, la población se remonta al inicio de la ocupación musulmana del Magreb, hacia el año 708. Difícilmente accesible por mar, durante el período almohade, fue un importante puerto de embarque de tropas para la Península Ibérica. Entretanto, en el siglo XV se convierte en un reducto de corsarios.
Con la expansión ultramarina portuguesa, fue asaltada y conquistada por una flota de 220 embarcaciones, transportando un ejército de 25.000 hombres al mando de D. Afonso V, «el Africano», tras dos días de combate en octubre de 1458.
Préparation de salade de pommes de terre aux champignons :
Pour préparer la recette de salade de pommes de terre aux champignons :
1 - Peler les pommes de terre, les faire cuire à la vapeur et les découper en rondelles.
2 - Dans une poêle, faire revenir dans la 1/2 de l'huile et du beurre, 2 oignons hachés, leur ajouter les champignons coupés en morceaux, les rondelles de pommes de terre, le sel et le poivre.
3 - Dans une autre poêle, faire fondre le reste d'huile et du beurre et y faire revenir le reste d'oignons hachés jusqu'à ce qu'ils deviennent dorés. Ajouter les tomates cerise et les épices. Laisser cuire à feu doux, pendant 5 mn tout en remuant.
4 - Dans un récipient, mélanger délicatement les 2 préparations.
5 - Disposer la salade sur un plat de service, la décorer de feuilles de persil
The school trip has become an increasingly valued part of the national curriculum and with the world opening its doors to travel the opportunity to take groups of students on educational trips is endless. Taking students out of their familiar classroom environment broadens minds, introduces new experiences and encourages motivation and renewed enthusiasm. While theory and learning through textbooks has its place, there is nothing quite like putting a subject or a concept into context and considering it from a three dimensional perspective.
On a school trip, students are taken out of their comfort zone and gently encouraged to push their boundaries and question their preconceptions. There is no better way to learn than by experience. Alongside the educational advantages of a school trip, students are also given the chance to develop socially and personally, interacting with new cultures and conversing differently within their peer group.
There are wonderful travel companies that organise excellent school trip packages to some very exciting destinations across the world. All subjects are covered, all ages catered for, and all requirements taken into account before the trip is finalised.
What to See in the Diverse Country of Morocco
Morocco is magical and there is no other word for it. A place of exotic sights, smells, tastes and sounds, this country is captivating in every sense. Morocco is a developing country and one that embraces its past with great honour while tackling the future with marvellous vigour. In Morocco, students will have ample opportunity to compare the society, economy and community with that more familiar to them.
From the ancient Medina of Marrakesh to the tourist beaches of Essouria, from the incredible mountains of the High Atlas to the nomadic Berber culture of the lowlands, Morocco is a country of contrasts.
Beginning in Marrakesh students will be able to get a real feel for the Islamic culture that presides here. Divided into two parts, the city has a new, more European district called Gueliz and the ancient Medina, which is the historical part of the city. The two areas are pulling in different directions and while the Medina is made up of a labyrinth of tiny alleyways, exotic looking jewellery shops, snake charmers and spice stalls, the new district is distinctly more modern with flashy malls, high rise banks and branded shops.
The souk in the medina is the largest in the world and is a fascinating place to spend an afternoon. The Museum of Marrakesh has some wonderful artefacts while the Koutoubia Mosque is also worth a visit. Known as The Red City, when you walk around the city walls of Marrakesh you soon understand why.
From Marrakesh visit the Agafay Desert and consider how the nomadic people of this land have had to embrace a more settled life in order to survive. Behind lie the Atlas Mountains and the enormous Lake Takerkoust, which is seven kilometres long. Students will have a chance to consider the importance of irrigation and hydro electricity when they learn about the reason for the lake's existence.
Morocco has so much to offer eager students on a school trip. From the stunning landscapes to the underlying political and economic issues, and from the rich history to the deep-seated religious influences, students will have plenty to explore, much to question and lots to take back to the classroom.
Ifrane is a town and ski resort in the Middle Atlas region of Morocco (population 73,782 in November 2014).Ifrane is 1,665 m (5,463 ft) in elevation and is part of the Meknès-Tafilalet region. In Tamazight, the regional Berber language, "ifran" means caves.
The first permanent settlement of the area dates to the 16th century, when the Sharif of Sîdî 'Abd al-Salâm established his community in theTizguit Valley, seven km downstream from the present town. By the mid-17th century the zâwiyah was well enough established to receive an extensive iqtâ' (land grant) from the 'Alâwî sultan Mûlây Rashîd b. Muhammad. While the founder’s lineage and the inhabitants were ethnically Arab, big groups of bebers from neighbouring areas migrated to the city which has made most inhabitant speak Central Atlas Tamazight.
