Salam alekum from North Africa

Salam alekum bloggies.

I cant find the apostrophe or exclamation mark on this Arabic and English keyboard.  Please imagine them both at appropriate places.  And I cant do a smiley face either.

Things are very nice here.

Deliciously hot and sweaty.  Im enjoying wearing all my lovely old Indian clothes.

Flavoursome tajines, and even their salads are full of delicious flavours.  Plentiful piping hot mint tea with lots of sugar.

I made friends with a camel in a public square.  Its handler let me pat it because Id been standing looking at it for so long.  I could tell it was frightened of its handler because it flinched and ducked when he pulled at it.  I gave it a gentle stroke on its forehead, just hoping it could feel some love, and I told it that I hoped it finds peace amidst its difficult life.  It had lovely long eye lashes.

Unfortunately the menu for lunch that day was camel burgers; exclamation mark.  The tour leader, a local Moroccan, was very keen for us to try it so I didnt say no.  It was delicious.  Sorry Mister Camel boo hoo.

There are cats everywhere, and donkeys.  The donkeys seem very unhappy, often with their tongues just hanging limply from their mouths.  But the cats seem to be well looked after.  I often see men in the souks feeding them scraps of food.  And the butchers leave bones out for them.

There is mosaic everywhere.  I will post some colourful photos when Im back.

And the birdsong in the morning is different to the birdsong at home.

Dad is being a trooper, at 73 years old he is surprising the tour group with his ability to keep up.  The tour guide is a sweet local man, Simo.  The group includes me, dad, Sarah from Melbourne, Rosheen from Balmain and Mary from Chicago.  Just a small group and all nice.  Sarah is an alternative chickie like me, so its really sweet having her around.

I bought a lovely antique Moroccan carpet today.  Simo tells me that I got a really good deal because it is low season and they are making no sales.  They initially quoted 45,000 Moroccan Dirham.  I ended up paying 7,500.  Now I need to buy a house for it, if it is Allahs will.

Much love to you all, exclamation mark.

Massalama,
Linda J