Two Moroccan Marriage Proposals

Recently I was the recipient of  2 marriage proposals.  One was made jokingly by a 70+ year old grandfather with a wizened face and a twinkle in his eye. He suggested I pay him $4,000 American dollars for the privilege of marrying him and to support his hefty drinking habit (that was part of the joke-he doesn't drink).   In return, he would divorce his equally aged wife (a minor detail). I would get not only him, but also his donkey (bonus points).

There was also a suggestion by another family member that since I have the space, the grandfather could move in with me. The donkey could have my the spare bedrooom.  But I'll skip that part.

The second proposal went like this: if I give him the money I that I would spend anyway on a year's rent, I could marry a construction worker who lives in the countryside.   He earns about 80 dirhams or roughly $10.00 a day.  This little bit of money would allow for a diet of mostly bread and tea.

The first proposal was funny; the second one was just sad.  Both underscore the perception here that all Americans are rich. That perception makes it difficult to ascertain real motives when it comes to marriage proposals.

Marrakech City Bus Etiquette

If you are going to venture forth on a city bus in Marrakech, you have to be prepared.   I was surprised the first time I paid 3.50 dirhams, got a receipt and went through a turnstile inside the bus. The reason for this bit of formality is that inspectors randomly board busses and check every passenger receipt.  (They do occasionally catch people who have sneaked aboard through a backdoor, window, or the push of the crowd.)

Don't have a seat? You can sit on the steps, on the side, or even in the aisle.  You can lean on the doors.  You can put your arm out of the window.

If you get a seat and an older person asks you for it,  you are generally expected to give it to him or her.

Just so you know--the city busses, as opposed to tour or some of intercity busses, are not air-conditioned in summer or heated in winter.

The Strolling Donkey

Strolling Donkey, Part 1

I saw this donkey out for a walk in my neighborhood.  The owner was not in sight, and no one paid any attention to the solitary animal as he stopped to nibble on a small date palm tree and then moved on.

Strolling Donkey, Part 2

Several minutes later, the donkey was still strolling down the boulevard .