Awoken by a chorus of birdsong at dawn this morning - what a beautiful sound!
Today we are going into Marrakech for a few business/friendly meetings with a couple of ex-pats. Our first stop is in the new town, Gueliz, then it's off to the Palmeraie area. We make it to halfway along our track when we are halted suddenly by a blockage in the road...not sheep, not the donkey...but rather two donkeys, one behind the other, each pulling a cart. The first is half-laden with grass/hedge cuttings and beside it is a further pile still waiting to be loaded. Above the donkey's head appears a woman's face; she looks at the car, then at the donkey, then at the pile of grass still to be loaded onto the donkey. Panic is written all over her face. We drive the car over as far to the right of the track as possible, trying to ignore the scraping sounds of the wheels against the massive rocks that line the edge of the track. As we do so, the woman tugs at the donkey and makes encouraging sounds to it that all will be well. Between us, we manage to get past...and find that the second donkey and cart has edged into a field, thank God! Now we are on our way.
We just make it in time for our first meeting at 10am - only to find that our friend, Alan, is not there. His wife, Joanna, informs us that at this very moment he is camping in the High Atlas Mountains at the Neltner Refuge Hut at 3207 metres (over 10,000 feet)! When questioned further she explains that Alan has heard that there has been a sighting of a very rare bird, the Lammergeier, in the mountains and being a photographer, he has set off in pursuit of it. Obviously he has forgotten all about our very important meeting ;-) Oh well, let's hope he spots this bearded vulture and manages to capture its image for the waiting world.
Our second meeting isn't so eventful...it passes without a hitch, just several computer glitches, yawn...
Heading back home we stop off for a loo break (as you do!) Marjane chain store provides the perfect opportunity for us to utilise the facilities. As I go to wash my hands I notice a young woman, dressed head to toe in her abaya, worn trendily with jeans underneath of course, and she is standing perched on one leg with her other lifted high above waist level with her foot in the sink, washing it with soap and water. My first thought is that I'm amazed by her acrobatic skills, my second thought is that she must be on her way to the mosque...can't say I've ever seen such a public show of ablutions before! You never know what you'll see next in this country!
Today we are going into Marrakech for a few business/friendly meetings with a couple of ex-pats. Our first stop is in the new town, Gueliz, then it's off to the Palmeraie area. We make it to halfway along our track when we are halted suddenly by a blockage in the road...not sheep, not the donkey...but rather two donkeys, one behind the other, each pulling a cart. The first is half-laden with grass/hedge cuttings and beside it is a further pile still waiting to be loaded. Above the donkey's head appears a woman's face; she looks at the car, then at the donkey, then at the pile of grass still to be loaded onto the donkey. Panic is written all over her face. We drive the car over as far to the right of the track as possible, trying to ignore the scraping sounds of the wheels against the massive rocks that line the edge of the track. As we do so, the woman tugs at the donkey and makes encouraging sounds to it that all will be well. Between us, we manage to get past...and find that the second donkey and cart has edged into a field, thank God! Now we are on our way.
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| Donkey and cart alert! |
We just make it in time for our first meeting at 10am - only to find that our friend, Alan, is not there. His wife, Joanna, informs us that at this very moment he is camping in the High Atlas Mountains at the Neltner Refuge Hut at 3207 metres (over 10,000 feet)! When questioned further she explains that Alan has heard that there has been a sighting of a very rare bird, the Lammergeier, in the mountains and being a photographer, he has set off in pursuit of it. Obviously he has forgotten all about our very important meeting ;-) Oh well, let's hope he spots this bearded vulture and manages to capture its image for the waiting world.
Our second meeting isn't so eventful...it passes without a hitch, just several computer glitches, yawn...
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Traffic in Marrakech |
Heading back home we stop off for a loo break (as you do!) Marjane chain store provides the perfect opportunity for us to utilise the facilities. As I go to wash my hands I notice a young woman, dressed head to toe in her abaya, worn trendily with jeans underneath of course, and she is standing perched on one leg with her other lifted high above waist level with her foot in the sink, washing it with soap and water. My first thought is that I'm amazed by her acrobatic skills, my second thought is that she must be on her way to the mosque...can't say I've ever seen such a public show of ablutions before! You never know what you'll see next in this country!
Still writing wonderfully Kathy! Off to Spain for a break so will catch up when we get back. Keep enjoying yourselves. xx
ReplyDeleteThanks, Les, glad you like it. Have a great relaxing time in Spain xx
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