June 29th

When we awoke today, it was quiet!! I looked out, our street was empty. No stalls, no busses, hardly any people, and only two taxis. Amazing!! We got around to go inside the Medina, and do a walk about. It was cool – jacket weather – I could see the ocean so not as foggy as has been. We got out on our street – there were maybe three people and one taxi, actually driving straight down the street, not swerving and uncontested. But the biggest shock was the Medina itself!!! There are actually more cats about than people. And out of the seeming endless stalls, only one or two opened on each street! I kept waiting for a tumbleweed to roll past, truly like a ghost town. On a couple of streets, some people were building fires for roasting sheep, I assume. [I forgot to mention I did still hear some bleating of sheep this morning (so internet was not accurate, again).] We figured it would look different, but I was not expecting so much emptiness. Even the boardwalk on the other side of Medina was uninhabited, maybe a dozen people – most being tourist. Quite different from a few nights ago when the music festival was happening here!

Anyway, we headed back to our place and had breakfast: some melon, banana, and last of our Baghrir (Moroccan pancakes) that we topped with jam and Nutella. YUM!! Then Jeff finished updating our website and I swept because the wind does blow in quite a lot of sand. While I was cleaning I heard a sheep; went to balcony and saw a family binding one up and laying down in the alcove. I grabbed Jeff and we watched a sheep being slaughtered. It was fascinating! Then I realized it was the family that we have been waving at across the way!!!! Then saw another family further down alcove with their sheep. Not something I see every day, that's for sure!

We went back inside and watched some you tube. Now time for lunch. We cooked the premade Kofta kebabs we bought and did our first pumpkin stir-fry (with pumpkin, mushrooms, and red onion; added seasonings of ginger, cinnamon, soy, mustard, garlic, honey and black pepper; and topped with fresh chopped cilantro and parsley). We also split a small baguette. It turned out so good and not too much! We were cleaning it up when the lady across the way pointed down in the alcove – she had seen me watching earlier, so I thought something else was going on. I did not see anything. I went to the balcony – better view. Then another person came who spoke English. He said to go down. I grabbed Jeff and we went down. They gave us some of their sheep!! It was skewered pieces of sheep and a fresh bread round!!! We thanked them immensely and had second lunch! So good and freshest meat I've ever had – literally couple hours old!!

Now we are stuffed; time for siesta; and may not eat dinner! Anyway, what a blessing connecting with people can be!!!