June 28th

Well, WOW!! Today marks our thirtieth day in Morocco! 

The day started with the same foggy, wet feeling. I actually thought I heard thunder last night, but was a dream. We got around – if it is possible – there seems to be more street stall vendors. Our street is chaos: people walking/milling anywhere they can; street vendors yelling, trying to hawk their goods; scooters, bicycles, motorcycles, and cars trying to get through, honking horns (from little meep-meeps to elongated foghorns blasts). It is an awakening to the ears and eyes, as well as awareness of presence – where you are versus your surroundings – because your life may depend on it! All this is happening because of Eid al-Adha, the Muslim Feast of Sacrifice. The people buy a sheep and sacrifice it to demonstrate their obedience to Allah. The same as Abraham sacrificed a ram in place of Ismail per the Quran. We have been seeing many sheep for sale and being bought/transported. The sacrifices are to be tonight at sunset, so hence, all the hustle and bustle to be ready for the Muslim holyday. So that's why we were out and about, to shop for couple of days worth of food items (we don't know how long the shops will be closed, or which ones); to pick up our laundry; and to just soak in the happenings. We also walked up to the Carrefour – bought some meat and staples we could not find at our street stalls. This is where I took the picture of all the sheep for sale.

We went back to our place with all our goods. Now, time for lunch! We went to the Medina. we were in search of kebabs but ended up with a set menu. I had starter of Moroccan Harira soup – a tomato soup with chickpeas and lentils; main of vegetable tagine. Mine was good. Jeff had starter of Moroccan salad, and main of lemon chicken tagine – lemon and olives. He's was okay but we've had way better lemon chicken tagine. (Speaking of, we need to eat there again – after this holyday ends which may last 2-3 days??)

We arrived back at our place – siesta time; watched some you tube; and then light supper on our balcony while listening to a bleating sheep in some apartment near us (it won't be noisy long, just saying). Then we did a snack – stove-top popcorn. It was so good – it has been a long time!! Sunset happened, but well, that's it. All around and different kind of day. But this is Morocco!!