Meknes magic

Teusday 15th.

Yesterday we drove the several hundred kms to Meknes. A smooth drive through rural Morocco. It's itself, of course. Cars, donkeys and cyclists all use the same roads and even the policemen stand precariously in the centre of the rather narrow freeways! ( I nearly hit one! ). We arrived at the campsite in Meknes at about 5pm and found it shut! Typical and I was tired. I just stopped the van and waited for some inspiration. It came quite quickly with a tap on the window and young Jed offering to take us to a calm guarded campsite. Fantastic, he sat with us and showed the way to the main square right next to the Medina! There were fire breathers, storytellers and all sorts in the square opposite . We were shown to a simple parking spot ( along with any other Moroccan! ) and the guardian said no problem, very safe here. And we felt it. Surrounded by just what we'd come for, we sat like two children in a sweety shop.

We set off across the square an entered the magic of Ali baba and his 40 pleasant folk. It was teeming with local life and soon found ourselves buying dates, olives and bread. Outside the souk were stalls selling sizzling sausage baps for £1.50. Who's a vegetarian? We sat on stools with local folk munching our baps in paradise. Teeming, heaving melange of all sorts of folk in all sorts of dress, all smiling. Welcome to Morocco being said time and time again!

We slept like logs and woke at 5.30am to the joyful sound of the mueddin ( call to prayer ) and went back to sleep again. Our prayers had been answered. It costs us 75p to stay here guarded for the day and 75p for the night! Best campsites around these public squares. I'm sure it will be different in other places but this is Meknes and is known for it's hospitality.

We took a real touristy ride on a horse drawn carriage this morning and loved it. Sometimes being what you are ( in this case a tourist ) is great fun!

We're settling in for lunch right now and might have a lazy hour or two before heading out into the mayhem of the souk. Fantastic.

Thinking of you all ( seriously! )

Love

Ted and Krysia