Geography 4910/5510 The Cultural and Natural Resources of May 23 – June 7, 2009

Oklahoma State University Study Abroad

Course Instructors: Dale Lightfoot and Tom Wikle Tour Leader: Addi Ouadderrou

B, L, D = Breakfast, Lunch, or Dinner is included in the trip for that day Cultural resource site visits in bold red font Natural resource site visits in bold green font General interest and tourism site visits in bold black font

Day 1, May 23, Saturday Departure. Fly from the USA to Morocco.

Day 2, May 24, Sunday Casablanca to Upon arrival at Casablanca Mohammed V Airport, visit to the mosque of Hassan II, the third largest mosque in the world and the pet project of the former king. Motorcoach to Rabat and spend the first night in Rabat. (D)

Day 3, May 25, Monday Rabat Today we go for a guided tour of the area including the Kasbah of the Oudayas, a fortification that dates to the 13th century. This area is particularly scenic and we will meander through winding streets that end with a beautiful panoramic view of the Atlantic. The visit continues to the 14th century Chellah Necropolis and to the Mausoleum built to honor King Muhammed the fifth, who led Morocco in the struggle for independence from European colonization. From his mausoleum, we will gaze upon the remains of the12th century mosque of Hassan - a mosque that was intended to be the largest in the world but was never completed. This visit gives you the rare opportunity to compare and contrast medieval and contemporary Arab architecture in Morocco in close proximity to each other. The Archaeological Museum is also visited to view artifacts from excavations at the Roman site of . (B)

1 Day 4, May 26, Tuesday Rabat to Fes via Volubilis After breakfast, we catch the road to Fes, stopping in the city of for lunch. The voyage provides a view of the rich, interior farmland of the country. Fes was the center for many medieval ruling dynasties and is still considered to be the cultural and religious center of Morocco. On the way to Fes, we will make a special stop to visit Volubilis, the Roman archaeological site where impressive remains of ancient buildings and their associated mosaic decorations can still be found. After a tour of Volubilis, we continue to Fes. Upon arrival, check in at hotel. (B, D)

Day 5, May 27, Wednesday Fes We start our day with a visit of Fes el Jadid or “new Fes”, which, despite its name, is not very new. In fact, “new Fes” dates to the thirteenth century and was built when the Merinid Dynasty decided was too small for the new mosques, schools, markets and gardens they intended to build. The Merinids also protected the Jewish population, which was quite large, and built them their own district called the , which we will visit. We also see la ville nouvelle, which was influenced by the French and has wide café-lined boulevards that stand in stark contrast with the winding streets of the older parts of the city. A panoramic tour will allow participants to see Fes from above. We will make a visit to one of the ceramic and mosaic factories that make Fes famous then continue to the old city, also called medina or Fes el Bali. Fes is an exiting city and is considered to be the artistic capital of Morocco. This city is a wonderful place to see artists actively creating the intricate brass, textiles, and clothing for which Fes is famous. We will see artists using techniques that date back to the 12th century. We will visit the city’s famous tanneries, fourteenth century Quranic schools and the tenth century Kairouyine mosque and university. The night concludes with a dinner party in a beautiful, authentic mansion in Fes el Bali. (B, D)

2 Day 6, May 28, Thursday Fes to Erg Chebbi/Sahara desert When we leave Fes for the Sahara desert, we pass through the majestic cedar forests of the Middle Atlas Mountains. We will see Berber nomadic tents along the road. On our way south, we will stop at the Errachidia dam and reservoir project for a discussion of local agriculture and water management. We continue south until we arrive at the rolling sand dunes of Erg Chebbi. We will camp at the foot of the sand dunes in traditional Berber tents. (B, D)

Day 7, May 29, Friday Explore the Sahara Morning departure by landrovers to explore the Sahara desert, passing through Berber villages to arrive at the desert frontier town of Taous. We will stop at the village of Khamlia for a musical performance by Gnawa musicians (men and women with sub-Saharan African origins) and also visit a Neolithic rock art site in the desert. When we return to our camp in the afternoon, participants will have the opportunity to take camel excursions and spend the night under the stars in the heart of the dunes of Erg Chebbi. (B, L, D)

Day 8, May 30, Saturday Rissani and the Tafilalet Oasis We travel to the Tafilalet oasis and visit the archaeological site of Sijilmasa, which was an important trading town on the caravan route between north and sub-Saharan Africa from the ninth to the fourteenth century. We will visit the local market to see artisans working and selling their wares. After lunch with a local family, we then continue to visit the adobe village of Mezguida and the nearby khettaras that once furnished it with water. We can visit the Mezguida village association that has adult illiteracy classes and teaches local village women skills to support themselves financially. We then return to our desert camp at Erg Chebbi. (B, L, D)

3 Day 9, May 31, Sunday Todra Gorge This morning we will head west towards the High Atlas Mountains, stopping at Jorf to visit the Khettara Owners Association. We continue to the massive canyon of the Todra Gorge that we reach after passing through palm tree groves, agricultural fields, and Berber villages. Late afternoon exploration and overnight in the gorge. (B)

Day 10, June 1, Monday Todra Gorge to Marrakech We head to the vibrant city of Marrakech, stopping at Ouarzazate to visit the movie studio where many of the top movies have been made. We head to the picturesque High Atlas Mountains for Marrakech and stop to visit the kasbah of Ait ben Haddou. On the road, there are numerous Berber villages that dot the mountain ranges and you will have a chance to see hardworking Berber women with big loads on their backs, wearing beautiful colorful clothing. Upon arrival we check in at a our hotel and visit to the dynamic Jamaa el Fna square, an open square where both locals and visitors go to be entertained by actors, musicians, and acrobats who are guaranteed to entertain. This is a good opportunity to have your palm read or a tooth pulled by a local dentist working in the square. After the sun goes down, the sounds made by the performers go up. Many food vendors light their gas lamps. The light from their lamps illuminates the smoke coming from their grills making for a surreal atmosphere. (B)

Day 11, June 2, Tuesday Marrakech We will tour Marrakech, the eleventh century capital of Morocco. Everything in Marrakech is worth seeing. We will see the twelfth century Koutoubia Mosque constructed by the Almohads. The Koutoubia is a classic of Moroccan-Andalusian architecture. After lunch, we will visit the Ben Youssef Medrassa, the vast and superb Koranic school, and tour the

4 market and the old city (medina). If time allows, we will have an optional sunset visit to the palmery that surrounds Marrakech. (B, L)

Day12, June 3, Wednesday Marrakech to Imlil Today we travel to the beautiful Toubkal Mountains and the Berber village of Imlil – the port of the Toubkal National Park. We will make a visit to Imlil and arrange a walk in the High Atlas and surrounding Berber villages. Jbel Toubkal is the highest peak in North Africa. We will spend the night in Imlil. (B)

Day13, June 4, Thursday Imlil area Today we continue our visit of the Toubkal Mountains and consider the influence of tourism on the local Berber populations. Additional program details arranged by instructor. (B)

Day 14, June 5, Friday Imlil to Safi In the morning we leave Imlil and go (north/northeast of Marrakech) to Ben Guérir or Youssoufia to visit a phosphate mine. We continue to Safi for overnight. Upon arrival we will check in at our hotel. (B, D)

Day 15, June 6, Saturday Morning visit to the port of Safi and maybe a visit to the phosphate refinery in Safi, then drive to Oualidia for lunch and allow the participants to have some fun at Oualidia beach before we continue to Casablanca. The evening concludes with a farewell dinner. (B, D)

Day 16, June 7, Sunday Morocco-USA Transfer to airport and fly back from Morocco to the USA. Bon voyage! (B)

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