Shopping in the Souk

Twice a day, we go to the Souk (a market-bazaar: like those shops near Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco, just built into the wall with a huge door to pull down and lock at the close of the business day) to buy what is needed for the next meal. One stop for vegetables, one for fruit, one for bread, and yet another for meat.

Yesterday, Lalla Fatima (my mother-in-law) and I walked to some little shops in the neighborhood. Today, Uncle Mustapha (my father-in-law) drove us to a larger Souk area because I needed to buy some wardrobe essentials (still no baggage...).

I was so brave!!!! I didn't gasp in terror during the drive at all...ok, maybe just once. Or twice. But, seriously, that's it! And, when we zig-zagged across the street after parking the car (no space to park? No problem! Just pull up on the sidewalk! There ya go!), I simply stared straight ahead and gripped Lalla Fatima's hand, trusting her to guide us away from certain death.

Walking down the street (one where cars, thankfully, do not fit- just watch out for careening bicyclers) I experienced a kalaidascope of sounds, colors, and the smells of spices and herbs. Everyone was smiling and greeting one another with kisses. Men, women, children, cats, dogs...LIFE, you know? I said to Uncle Mustapha, "I smell mint, and...what is that other smell?"

He replied, "Absinthe, also for tea." Absinthe??? Like as in The Green Fairy Absinthe???? He laughed, "Oh, you know absinthe, hm? They do not have absinthe in the U.S., correct? This is not the liquor, just the herb. Would you like to try?"

Do Fairies have wings???? Yes Yes YES!! Yummo! It tastes kinda like anise (licorice). No, I have not hallucinated. More's the pity. lol...

We went to another stall, where I made my purchases. A bag full of undergarments for less than $10 US!!! Amazing...and the quality of the items are very high. I would have spent more than $50 at home for similar items...and I am sure the American salesperson would not have hugged me and kissed both my cheeks before I left my local Macy's!

We stopped for some other items: A new djellaba of blue silk with white embroidery...a beautiful green pashmina...some bread...some beef and apples...and home for lunch and a nap.

Lovely.