More of Annie and Petes Palace

 Here is Annie in her natural habitat, installing a new wall with windows and doors...

...one of several interesting staircases and a proper table, specially bought over the rooftops to get into the house.

 -and of course no living room is complete without a corner where lime must be beaten and mixed with stuff to make plaster.

I'm very sad to be going. The changes they've made in the short time Ive been here are wonderful; would like to see more.  I've learned to enjoy this culture and appreciate its priorities (Morocco, not Annie and Pete - already appreciate them)

Like the joined-up thinking here. So for instance the hammam - communal baths - are heated by a fire out the back that never goes out and that burns local rubbish (though alas, a deal of that is plastic.) Communal baths too - how sensible and fun is that, why don't we have them?

The emphasis on alms-giving is dignified and courteous and an essential rung of the life-style.

The mosques have three balls on top, under the moon-shape - they stand for generosity, welcome and peace.

Went to the synagogue too, currently being restored as Jews begin to move back after the exodus to the state of Isreal. They started Essouria up - when the king of the day decided to build a port he moved 10 of the big Jewish Morroccan families here to  facilitate trading and there was a large community living happily with the Muslims. Then it was called Mogador and subsequently Timbuktoo - anyway. I promised the guardian I'd blog his website so here it is...
www.asl-mogador.net

Off tomorrow, get to Girona late, wend my way back to Esperaza on the 8th. The electricity has failed in Rue St Saens so I wont have internet. The bank has stopped my card because some internet nasty has stolen it so I won't have money. And I have to see the gendarmes to report that the big metal gate on Mont Marot has been stolen.  Turn your back for a minuite...