Even at 200 yards it could be seen that Abbas (the lion) was a hulk of a man leant against his taxi, front of the queue in the town square. Immediately found to be personable and with a smattering of English again it seemed we had dropped lucky with the deal and price of a full day out being struck.
and what has all this time been considered to be a
on the shore line. It was to be a longish drive but not without its moments as
in a decent size gathering were commited to the day list. At a still wet Wadi we found a lone
along with no more than a handful of
The Lion proved his worth when spotting a
It was also at this point, while gaining elevation, that he also suggested we might visit his Brother's home which found favour as nothing better for me than meeting people 'on the ground' as were in any country we visit. While to my own chagrin names have long since been forgotten there was a warm a warm welcome from his
and
sang their hearts out just yards from the doorstep.
A post dinner wander around the smallholding was surely worth more than this single image
Abbas once again came into his own on the way back by pointing out a
while 'self finding' both
along with
Unfortunately the day ended on something of a sour note but not exactly a New Bot to this travel lark had taken the precaution of writing down on 2 slips of paper the agreed payment for the tour. Abbas was now disputing this and despite a handsome tip was getting slightly agressive, me seeking the sactuary of the hotel and a much need beer. Even then he persued me demanding now that he was paid in Sterling (more valued) so summoned the Concierge who gave him short shrift.
Not worth letting such a minor interution spoil such a wonderful visit to the country, it has happened before and will happen again, Morocco still holds only fond memories but the visit was to end with a Blood Bath
Looking across the flat roofs of the town from the bedroom window,
we had woken to the ceremony of
Eid al-Adha
'Feast of the Sacrifice’ is the latter of the two Islamic holidays celebrated worldwide each year (the other being Eid al Fitr, and considered the holier of the two. Also called Tabaski, it honours the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son Ismael as an act of obedience to God's command. (The Jewish and Christian religions believe that according to Genesis 22:2, Abraham took his son Isaac to sacrifice.) Before Ibrahim could sacrifice his son, however, God provided a lamb to sacrifice instead. In commemoration of this intervention, an animal (usually a sheep) is sacrificed ritually. One third of its meat is consumed by the family offering the sacrifice, while the rest is distributed to the poor and needy. Sweets and gifts are given, and extended family are typically visited and welcomed.
How Bob Dylan sees it!
Oh
God said to Abraham, “Kill me a son”
Abe said, “Man, you must be puttin' me on”
God say, “No.”
Abe say, “What?”
God say, “You can do what you want, Abe, but
The next time you see me comin' you better run”
Well Abe says, “Where you want this killin' done?”
God says, “Out on Highway 61”
Highway 61 Revisited - Bob Dylan
