The Imperial City, inflatable santas

We're getting so close to leaving Morocco we can't wait!

Anna roof roaming

Before reaching Meknes, the 'imperial city', Anna and I passed several 'interesting' things along the road.

1. A large dying horse, half alive but mostly dead- on the side of the road. It made eye contact with Lucie as we passed it, but there was nothing to do. (The next day Kurt reported some street dogs feasting on said horse).

2. A dead donkey, also on the side of the road- this one was definitely very dead though.

3. We also passed through a town known for its' massive problem with childhood prostitution, (female) children being sold into slavery, and the general horrid treatment of young girls and women: El Hajeb is the name of the place, and we don't recommend it as a tourist stop. We were surprised (or i guess it only makes sense...) that the town is actually very wealthy looking, has several government administrative buildings, is a large French police administrative zone, has a smallish palace, and lots of happy, rich men driving BMWs. And childhood prostitution and enslavement. There is, however, a good nonprofit in the town which is working on those issues- called Amal or Aman, run by local women and helped by some international NGOs.

cookin holiday feasts...

4. We also passed fields and fields of intricately stacked rock piles, covered in straw, and then carefully covered in yellow tarps and guarded by men. There were rows and rows of them- stretching for miles it seemed. It was so interesting looking, very symmetrical and very bright. We couldn't figure out what they were, but later found out that this is how red onions are grown here- to help keep them off the ground because it's so freezing in the winter! Pretty neat.

We reunited with Kurt (who now has a full beard and looks even skinnier than skinny) in Meknes, to celebrate the holidays, bring in the New Year, and catch up after a month of riding on separate adventures and figure out what's next... We are all planning to take the ferry into Spain and return to a, well, a 'different' way of interacting with people and generally, a different life. We can't wait!! The excitement is bubbling inside of us.

everyone has the satellite hook up!

holiday lunch on the roof, the 3 of us reunited!!

i washed my hair!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

lots of people watching from above

rooftop adventures, Meknes

rooftops of Meknes

the camera shy cats of Meknes

they are everywhere and not scared of heights