the Sahara

"But none of that mattered to the alchemist. He had already seen many people come and go, and the desert remained as it was. He had seen kings and beggars walking the desert sands. The dunes were changed constantly by the wind, yet these were the same sands he had known since he was a child. He always enjoyed seeing the happiness that the travelers experienced when, after weeks of yellow sand and blue sky, they first saw the greeen of the date palms. Maybe god created the desert so that man could appreciate the date trees, he thought."

-Paulo Coehlo, The Alchemist Our first glimpse at the Sharan dunes at Erg Chibbi.
Yes, that's right. I am ridin on a camel. It was so fun... to feel the desert wind and the sun at your back.
Here we are on our way to camp with out camel guide.
The berbere music played before din was quite moving.

Weary travelers rest and grub on some good desert food!

Contemplating life as the sun rises over the dunes.

Maktub.

the ever more beautiful Merzouga

Not to make Marrakech jealous, because I loved them both, but the trip to Merzouga provided some of the most beautiful scenery. This was our crew and out van for the trip into the desert. The man front and centre is out Berbere guide, Abdul, or as we more fondly knew him Mohammed Tajine!
Here I am at the beginning of the trip when we first started to see the Berbere villages in the High Atlas mountains.
This was the evening of the first day at the Hotel Le Vieux Chateau du Dades. Yes, that is a sheesha that I am smoking. The stars on the rooftop terrace were amazing.
Here is the entire group including Kaori and Mayuko from Japan (they are studying agriculture in Niger). We are drinking berbere wiskey in a traditional home that is now home to a women's association.
Here I am at the Todra Valley on the second day of the trip. We ate lunch here and as you can see the Todra Gorge is amazing. It divides the High Atlas Mountains from the Jebel Sarhro.

the glorious Marrakech

I returned from Marrakech tonight feeling an overwhelming sense that there are other cultures and other people out there beyond my universe of comprehension. Marrakech is bustling with people and culture. It was wonderfully hot and different. It is an amazing place.

The Medina or old city houses the Djemaa El-Fna which is a large square with stalls, food, culture and spiritual brotherhoods preforming their arts. The tower in the back is the Koutubia (from Kutubiyyin, Arbic for booksellers according to the LP) which echos prayers to the square below.
Here is one of the colourful open air shops in the square with traditional Moroccan plates and cookware. The cook the tranditional couscous in the pots right below the plates. They cook outdoors and the food is so Yum-O! I loved it.
Here are the girls (Cindy, Brenda and Maria) and I at the stalls on our last night in Marrakech. The fruits that are traditional to the region are figs (yum), dates and apricots! They were so good and these sorts of stalls are all over the Djemaa El-Fna.

In My Life... Liverpool Style

There are places I remember All my life, though some have changed, Some forever, not for better, Some have gone and some remain. All these places had their moments, With lovers and friends I still can recall, Some are dead and some are living, In my life I've loved them all.





But of all these friends and lovers, There is no one compared with you, And these mem'ries lose their meaning When I think of love as something new. Though I know I'll never lose affection For people and things that went before, I know I'll often stop and think about them In my life I love you more. Though I know I'll never lose affection For people and things that went before, I know I'll often stop and think about them In my life I love you more. In my life I love you more...

Arlene's Vist to London

When my most favourite person in the whole world came to visit me in London it was snowing!! It was exciting not so much because it was SNOW in London but because I got to share it with Arlene.
She came for a week and got to see the beauty and madness that is London.






Here we are at the London Eye... enjoying the sights of London from atop a big pod! It was so much fun! Thanks for coming Arlene.