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| Ahkmed and Rashid |
We were joined on today’s journey by Rashid, the brother by
his mother of Ahkmed. Rashid took on the driving and whilst he applied the same
techniques the GPS failed to work as well and we observed the map being
consulted on several occasions. Freed of his driving duties, Ahkmed attempted
to tutor us in Arabic. We proved to be poor students frequently failing his pop
quizzes.
Our journeys took us through cedar forests and then into
more open country which resembled the wide brown Australian landscape including
eucalypts on roadside verges. There were however a few exceptions: the
architecture of buildings; the cattle were tethered on ropes; edible crops were
hedged by cactus plantings; there were decidedly more people with shepherds
tending sheep and goats and venders selling all manner of produce; the sight of
horses and donkeys was common serving as beasts of burden; and an acrid haze
permeated the atmosphere.
As we neared the imperial city of Meknes olive groves filled the landscape. We were taken on a guided tour of the 12th century medina a city known for its mostly green and ochre hues. We observed traditional craftsmen making clothing, metalwork and wooden objects. We also visited a traditional Muslim school. After lunch it was on to explore the Roman ruins of Volubilis and then onwards to Fes where we will be staying for two nights. Tonight Adrian finally got his couscous.
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