We head for the Cascade D'Ouzoud and are overwhelmed by the beauty of the place. A worthwhile stop. Simon jumps off the 6.5m high rock, Sandra ponders for a long while and jumps while Teo sits legs trembling and finally bottles. Ayesha sits filming the whole sequence (and using this as an excuse not to jump herself), courage takes hold and suddenly she runs up and without looking, jumps! Adrenalin is high and the water fresh. We stop at a chiringuito-esque place and record Abdu (our guide) playing the Ginbri with the falls behind. Yes I know this is supposed to be our day off but we are workaholics and the place is too beautiful not to shoot. He invites us back to his family home for tajine so we race against time to get him there (Azilal) before sunset. We are still on the road when the sun goes down, so we stop the car in a layby and give him all the food and dates we can find. Although we have not fasted today, we are thirsty and famished too, so we 'break bread' together and watch the light fade of the middle Atlas mountains. Spectacular.
In the evening, we are in dire need of a siesta, we shop for tajine ingredients, snooze and then wake up at 12.30 to eat with Abdu and his sister in law. Zzzzzzzzz.
DAY 22 - Azilal to the Cedar Forests
We wake up boiling (as Abdu's suggested sleeping spot was smack bang in the middle of a huge open square/ building plot). Sandra gives up her mobile as a gift for Abdu's time yesterday and his generous invite. He asks for some clothes too, so Ayesha gives him some tracksuit bottoms and we are on our way. We drive through pictoresque scenery to the beginning of the Cedar Forests. Poor old Si is feeling super queasy and we pause for a puke stop. Soon after we find a great spot in a clearing in the forest, perfect for morning shade. A yummy meal on the magic blanket and a nearly full moon make it a more than pleasant evening.
DAY 23 - Forest recordings and drive to Meknes
We wake up inspired and go for a cuatro-vocal session in the forest with Ayesha. We film the local surroundings and talk about ways to go about making the most of the trip and project and not falling into the same traps as previous projects in Morocco. We drive the unsurfaced roads through the forest and stop at the Sources Oum er Rbia (incredibly clean water!) for a picnic lunch.
The views here are spectacular and Simon, Sandra and Teo get on the roof to film the vast valleys and local farmers while Ayesha tackles the bumpy roads. We arrive in Meknes before nightfall and are welcomed by Simon Webster (percussionist for the likes of Natacha Atlas, Yasmin Levy) and his wife Mouna, a percussionist and singer. We chat, snack and enjoy a fantastic rehearsal session with their band.
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