Day 139 - Can you tell what this is?

If you can believe, this picture is not in black and white.  This was the ceiling of the elevator in our hotel in Marrakesh. It is worth it to look up!

Day 138 - Water feature in Fes

This was yet another water feature in Fes. This is a tap with a knob and it looks like it's been used regularly.  I wonder, is this is to make ablutions, since this is situated outside a mosque. I guess it's only for use by men?

Day 137 - I'm short!

I'm back home... and it's nice to be back.  I'm not going to lie though, I miss Morocco.  For one, it's colder here! Beyond the weather, I have a lot to think about and process.  So, I spent part of the day going through my pictures to see what I had taken, and I laughed when I saw this picture, and had to post it.  This was just reminder to me that I'm short and that it affects my perspective.  Granted, I was sitting right below this column at the mosque at Tour Hassan, but still. I just need to think about the shots I take, and plan them better.

Day 136 - More arches and doors

This was also at the Ramada in Fes.  I really liked the architecture in this hotel, so I took a few picture. Here is one of the screen/door that separates the dining area from the lobby.

Day 135 - Morning in Fes

From our morning in Fes... coffee, tea, and, water at the Ramada.  I was fasting, so none of this was mine.  While everyone went to get breakfast, this is how I occupied my time.  I took the picture in colour, but the colours were distracting.

Day 134 - The view from the back seat

While in Morocco, I have only ever been in the back seat while in a car, which is very usual for me!  But, it gave me a different perspective of everything.  I'm not going to lie, I missed being in the front seat; I missed being able to see where we are headed out the wind shield, unobstructed!

What I like about this picture is that you can see what is ahead of us, and a little bit of what is behind us. Commentary on life... keep moving forward, but don't forget from where you came.

Day 133 - A door to somewhere

I just loved this shot, so I had to share it.  I love the there are two doors, one at ground level the other not.  Like with everything, there is an explanation, but I'm not sure what it is.

Day 132 - Stylized grates

Another thing I've noticed in here is that everything is pretty, including the bars on windows. This was at another rest stop.  I thought this was a beautiful decorative grate.  I wish I could have taken this straight on, but there were people in the way, so, again, you do what you can. 

Don't you just love the colours in this photo?

Day 131 - Koutoubia at night

From last night, Mosquée de la Koutoubia.  It was nice to see the mosque as the sunset and then at night with the moon in the night sky. Love the minaret.... I just wish we could have gone up the minaret to see the view from up there -- what a view it would be!

Day 130 - Beautiful sunsets

I have to say that I have never experienced more glorious sunsets than I have here! This looks like it could have been taken at home, but it was in Morocco, I assure you.  We were in the car and heading to the Koutoubia Mosque, Marrakesh after spending the day in Ourika, in the mountains.  It was a perfect way to end the day!

Day 129 - The King is everywhere!

I have never been to or lived in a place that the monarchy is such a big part of the culture.  Yes, Canada is still part of the Commonwealth, but we only see the picture of the Queen in federal government buildings, or the same.  Here in Morocco, you see a picture of the King everywhere -- EVERYWHERE!  As it was explained to me, there is a strong suggestion that every business display a picture of the King in its establishment to show their loyalty to the monarchy. It was interesting to me that there was no official photo to post, any photo is fine.  Every time I walked into an establishment, I would check to see if I could find the picture of the King. 

I took this picture, at a gas station rest stop (!), to show a friend, since it was something we both did when we walked into any place of business together.  I thought this one was clever - if you have to hang a picture of the King in your establishment then why not make it truly part of your decor as a piece of art!

Day 128 - Camels!

I finally got to see a camel in Morocco!  Actually, not only did I see and photograph some, I rode one too!  That was fun.  Here is one photo of the camels, and I love the way the photo turned out.

Day 127 - Doorway to the outside

I love doorways.  This is taken from inside a mosque, as we left after the sunset prayers.  I tried really hard to avoid the stair case on the bottom right, but I couldn't get the image I wanted if I moved anywhere else.

Day 126 - Doorway at the end

Walked this alley between the homes everyday, multiple times since the beginning of the month, and I finally took a pic of it a couple days ago.

Day 125 - Beautiful morning for prayers

Eid Mubarak!  Hope it's a wonderful day for everyone.  This is from Eid prayers this morning in Morocco!

Day 124 - The light through the window

Inside the new mosque by Tour Hassan, in Rabat. After we finished our prayers, I took a few pictures, since our guide/friend was waiting outside.  We were there for the noon prayers so lots of sun streaming in from the courtyard, I actually like it in this photo.

Day 123 - Madina in Fes, from above

Looking down on Madina in Fes.  It was both a stunning and overwhelming view.  I could have stayed in Fes for days wandering the streets and capturing images.  I really would have loved to have seen this place at night!

Day 122 - Watching the landscape passby

While here in Morocco, we've spent a lot of time in a car going from one place to another.  I'm not complaining since it was convenient, but I've seen so much of this country from only a car as it passes by me.  I would have loved to have stopped along the way to take some photos of the beautiful landscape.

This is one of many pictures taken from the car....

Day 121 - The perfect shot, maybe?

Also from Mausoleum of Mohammed V, by Tour Hassan.  I saw this perfect shot.  I actually took the time to figure out the vantage point for this shot... I was ready to take it, and then... tourists walk into the shot.  I guess that comes with the territory of being at a tourist site.  I did not have the opportunity to take the shot I wanted, since we were leaving at the time.

I'm not sure whether I think the tourist add to the shot or take away from my vision. I'm still learning to accept that not every shot will be what I had envisioned, and that the one I got may be better.

Day 120 - Looking up

While at the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, by Tour Hassan there was so much to take in.  Visiting this site was at the end of a long week, so we didn't stay long.

I loved this shot that I took as we were leaving the mausoleum.  

Day 119 - ... in black and white...

I kept looking at the fountain from yesterday, and wondered how it would look in black and white.  Don't get me wrong, I love the coloured version, but I wondered if turning it into black and white would highlight the patterns and the carvings differently.  The only thing I don't really like is the shadow on the right.

Day 118 - Dry Fountain

One of the things I've noticed in Morocco is that they have a lot of fountains, and most of them are off.  I've never really asked why they are off, but they are.  This was one fountain at the Hassan Tower in Rabat. I loved all the intricate stone work I've seen at a lot of the mosques here, and the amazing tile work.

Day 117 - The view

The view from the balcony of a friend's place. I am constantly amazed at just how blue the skies are, and loved how it looked from this vantage point. It doesn't fully capture it, but it was breath taking view.

Day 116 - Studying for the Journey of a Lifetime

This is a picture is from the plane on our way to Morocco. Most of the people on the flight with us were heading to Mecca, for the annual Hajj (pilgrimage).  It was such a great flight -- everyone was simultaneously calm and nervous.  These people knew they were on a journey of a lifetime, and they were so preparing for this trip.  They spent their time studying to make sure they were knew everything about this journey... and yet, we all knew that it didn't matter how much studying they did that they would never truly know what expect.

I've just been thinking about Hajj a lot, and my heartaches to go.... I remembered these photos, and thought I would share one since that is where my head is right now. 

Day 115 - Doors

Today, we were at my friend's extended family's home for a late lunch today.  They had a really nice place with a lot of amazing details in the walls, ceiling, woodwork, and even the doors.

Since I've been in Morocco, I've been really fascinated with doors.  I've always loved the idea of doors and the association with opportunities, and there were so many interesting doors to look at here.

Day 114 - The pretty glass ceiling

This photo was from Baltimore, MD. One of the libraries on the Johns Hopkins campus.  I shot it in colour, but felt I liked it so much better in black and white.

Day 113 - Flying over DC

I know a lot of people don't like photos out airplane windows, but I think they are interesting.  Each time I've flown over a different city/area, I've taken at least one photo so I can compare it with other areas I've been. I liked this particular photo... it was a pretty clear day and the windows were pretty clean!

Day 112 - Colours in Morocco!

Waking up my first morning in Morocco.  I'm very excited to be here - excited to experience the culture, taste the food, and see all the sights this country has to offer!

This is the view out my window this morning... I know that it looks like a decrepit broken down building (which it really isn't), I just love this image. I love the colours!

Day 111 - In the air

I've taken lots of photos from air planes in the past, but this has got to be my favourite!  The lighted wing tip, flying into the sunset, and only the clouds below us.

Day 110 - At the airport!

Headed on vacation.... This is a picture of my luggage strap. Will be away for about a month, and I will still take a picture a day, but might not get around to posting until I get back!

Day 109 - Please stay Monarch butterfly

Walking home I saw this Monarch butterfly flying about, and I wanted to capture it.  I saw a movie on the migration patterns, and what can I say, they are amazing creatures!  What I would do to see Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve in Mexico some day!

Anyway, this little guy/gal would not stay still, hence the unfocussed, randomly framed photo!