Boumalne

On our way to Aït Oudinar, we passed through the small town of Boumalne. Like all towns in this part of Morocco, it hugs a small river and the main occupation is growing dates. These date palm groves are unprotected, which is to say, unfenced and unguarded. Custom has it that anyone can enter the grove and eat the dates without worry of being stopped. However, one cannot pick the dates for sale. Only the owner has that right.

Do Not Adjust Your Set: These pictures were taken in Mid-April 2000 with a first generation digital camera. They are as big as they'll ever get.

These small towns are always built on waste land near the river. They never are built on top of land that can be used to grow anything of value. The square in the bottom of the photo is where you would catch a Grand Taxi to the next town. You would share a taxi with strangers and it would cost just slightly more than the bus. It's possible to travel all over Morocco inexpensively ... by taxi.
Throughout Morocco, at least one modern technology is ubiquitous, Satellite TV. Even in the smallest villages and on top of the most primitive mud brick houses, the satellite dish is omnipresent.
In Boumalne, we stopped in a rug shop and drank mint tea before discussing any business. Here the proprietor is making tea. It's a little difficult to see, but he is heating the water in a silver tea pot ...
... over a charcoal fire.