Читать книгу Mountaineering in the Moroccan High Atlas. Walks, climbs & scrambles over 3000M онлайн

20 страница из 47

Local Customs and Etiquette

In addition to organising paid-for services (accommodation, mules, porterage and so on, which are dealt with separately below), the mountain vistor may well find themselves interacting with villagers in a number of ways, and this can often be the highlight of a trip. Once language issues are dealt with as well as possible, social relations can be helped along by observing some simple guidelines.

Being invited into a home for some mint tea, and possibly food, is a way of glimpsing village life beyond what is seen in the fields. If you accept the offer, upon entering the room where you will take tea, make sure you remove your footwear at the door – or at a minimum the edge of the floor covering. Sitting cross-legged is best so as not to show the soles of your feet. You may take a glass of tea in either hand, but if you are offered anything to eat you should only use your right hand. Sometimes the routine is to offer tea and nuts together, followed by some bread with butter or oil, and even possibly a tajine. In these cases you may be given the opportunity to wash your hands. The host will pour water onto your hands from a kettle over a basin. A towel will then be proffered. When you have eaten enough, be firm but polite. You do not have to finish everything put in front of you! Upon leaving, a small remuneration, although not required, would be gratefully received. Alternatively, some basic first-aid supplies, if needed by the family, would be received with thanks.