All winter, especially when stressed, I’ve looked to the Atlas Mountains from whence cometh my strength. Surrounding Marrakesh the snowy sentinels protect my heart and mind, particularly when work gets stressful. I take my lunch and take to the hills. Literally. Staring at their beauty is a breather that calms my soul.
Seeing pictures from home of Kentucky and Tennessee buried under record snow made me want to join the fun from afar. When teaching there I prayed with my kids that Channel 4’s Snowbird (a puppet penguin) would say schools were closed. NEVER did I get the time off they’ve gotten this year.
With predictions that temps in Marrakesh would climb to the low 80s this week, we wanted to play in the snow at least once this winter while it remained. So last Saturday I went to Oukaïmeden, a ski resort 75 kilometers from Marrakesh. There was one seat left in Ismail’s van which coworkers rented for the day. Who else would we trust to drive us on possibly icy roads winding 10,500 feet up?
We left at 8 AM and by 10 were having jam, bread, and fresh squeezed OJ overlooking the slopes.
Only one of us skied this trip, using a guide, while the rest of us sledded.
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Even whiter and brighter than the snow on the bunny slopes were simultaneous smiles. And even louder than the rap Red Bull played for the ski competition was the sound of laughter.
Location. Location. Location. So thankful I can be at the beach in 2 hours west, the mountains in 2 hours east, and back in Marrakesh by a pool for sunset.