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A Difficult Journey Through the Rif Mountains
🇲🇦 Morocco /Culture & Society

A Difficult Journey Through the Rif Mountains

From Hespress · () Arabic

Translated from Arabic, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Sources not specified Context piece
  • The article describes a difficult journey through harsh winter conditions in Morocco's Rif Mountains, from Al Hoceima to Tizi N'chen.
  • The narrator and a driver named Si El Fersewi face challenging roads, fog, and extreme cold, making the trip arduous.
  • They eventually reach a remote school in Tizi N'chen, where students are gathered around a fire in a snow-covered classroom.

The narrative recounts a challenging journey through Morocco's rugged Rif Mountains during a harsh winter, detailing a trip from Al Hoceima towards Tizi N'chen. The narrator, accompanied by a driver named Si El Fersewi, navigates treacherous terrain characterized by steep mountain passes and biting cold.

.. See, do you think the General Jorge was happy when he chose this place to settle..?

— NarratorQuestioning the choice of location amidst difficult circumstances.

Their journey begins in Al Hoceima on a cold January night, with the sound of urgent knocking and a sharp cry signaling the start of their expedition. They depart in a Jeep, its engine smoke mingling with Si El Fersewi's cigarette smoke as they head towards Targuist. The landscape is soon enveloped in a thick, disorienting fog, making visibility extremely poor.

Quiet location .. fortified by water to the north and mountains to the south .. like a military reserve .. It has witnessed fierce battles throughout its colonial history, in which the resistance fought hard ..

— NarratorDescribing the strategic and historical significance of the location.

After a brief stop for breakfast in Targuist, the journey continues towards the center of Issaguen. The road becomes increasingly difficult, marked by dangerous mountain curves and the penetrating cold. The narrator experiences dizziness and asks Si El Fersewi to stop briefly, but the driver insists on pushing forward, concerned the car might not restart in the freezing temperatures.

Just wait a little ... we are almost there ...

— Si El FersewiUrging the narrator to endure the difficult journey.

Upon reaching Issaguen, the travelers decide to split their tasks. The narrator is directed to a school located deep in the countryside near Tizi N'chen. The school, described as a single classroom surrounded by pine trees and snow, is barely accessible, with only a dilapidated wooden gate visible. Inside, students huddle around a fire, their eyes fixed on the flames, tears streaming from the smoke filling the room. The narrator questions their absence, only to be interrupted by the arrival of the teacher, who apologizes for searching for a kettle.

Do you want us to die of cold .. The engine might not start, and that would be the big problem .. Wait .. wait .. there's not much left

— Si El FersewiExplaining the risks of stopping the vehicle in the extreme cold.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hespress in Arabic. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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