Gouda's Cheesewheel

Morocco March 11th

What news, what news...

Today my mother and the bon (a.k.a. maid a.k.a. Sophia) are cleaning out the main room (the living-type room that is not my room). They took out all the couches and washed all the dishes stored in the china cabinet. I think they are getting carpets or something, at least that's what I heard from my father. It would sure beat the brick floor that's in there now, although it would be a great deal harder to clean. Maybe she figures with the kids mostly grown up (save Khadija and Mohammed Khalil) it won't get too dirty in there anymore. I would have to disagree, but really it isn't my house. Facts on my mind that I don't think I've mentioned in previous emails: we have a turtle and three fish. Two of the fish are brand new as of yesterday, though they are the same kind as the first. My nephew has a habit of putting things in the fishbowl that he shouldn't (bread, screws, trash) and I've told him "no" on several occasions, so it's reassuring that the bowl now resides out of his reach. While the fish population is increasing, the turtle population is going the opposite direction; my mother told me she bought 5 of them when Mohammed Khalil was born; now he's two years old and there is only one turtle left--there was another that died a few weeks after my arrival, which was a little sad. The last one is alive and kicking, though. It walks around the central indoor courtyard on a routine basis, taking breaks when it finds a place that feels protected, like behind a door. It's just a small box tortoise, I think; I've actually seen them for sale in the souk, but it's probably not worth it to bring one home with me. In other news, I threw up for the first time in approximately 7 years (the last time was in Las Vegas when I was staying at Grandpa's house, for those who might remember). Since my stomach rejected everything I ate between Wednesday night and Thursday lunch (the sardines broke the camel's back) I have limited my diet to white herrera (mild soup) and Schweppes tonic water, which I highly recommend for people in my situation. Today I allowed myself bread, yogurt, and couscous in small amounts. I think the trick is to keep my stomach partway full, but not stuffed. Hopefully I will be well soon, as our Southern Excursion starts tomorrow. On that note, I don't know how often I will be near computers in the next week, since we'll be moving around a lot. If you write me something, have patience and I'll try to check it. At the latest, it'll be sometime next weekend (the 19th or thereabouts). Take care, hope everyone's well.

Much love,
Greta

posted by Greta @ 12:20 PM