COLD DARK ROOM

[Tidgy's Dad]

I began collecting fossils before I went to school, tried to find dinosaurs and found other things and then wanted to know what they were
Lots of years and university later I became a professional, rather than just an amateur, but I retired at 39, so am technically amateur again, though I do bits and pieces still and lots of my own work.

 

[meech008]

half English, half Welsh, from south west England.
Came to Morocco for many reasons.
i'd previously lived for a while in Poland, Saudi Arabia and Thailand.
I love foreign travel, but also really getting to know a culture and people.
Wifey was sick; partly because of the English cold and wet and we needed somewhere that was hot, cheap, near England in case of emergencies, beautiful, different, famous for fossils, easy and safe to buy property and exciting without being dangerous.
saw a program on the BBC called "Uncharted Territory that gave Fes the thumbs up, even though no Brits at all were living there.
We were the first to come to this medieval ancient medina, buy a property and live here full time.
Fell in love with the place at first sight, never looked back, it's wonderful, 9,600 streets and the largest urbanized pedestrianized zone in the world.
No cars, I hate cars.

I know it's very different than in the states and it's quite compelling the think about. What's your favorite part about Morocco? The no cars thing? I love my car. It was my first adult purchase and I treasure it third only to my husband and animals haha. Why do you hate cars?

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Lots of cars in Morocco, just not in my ancient city.
Favourite thing?
The lovely temps perhaps, or the rugged scenery. Many things.
I like my rubbish being taken away by donkey every morning.
I understand cars give people freedom, but there's too many now and i think they look horrible cause pollution and depletion of natural resources in their manufacture and use, not to speak of the numbers of deaths, both human and animal they are responsible for, the roads destroying the countryside and the fact that so many otherwise lovely people become animals behind the wheel of a car.
But I am an utter hypocrite and love flying.

 

[meech008]

I've never been on a plane or anything of the sort I'd love to go on a hot air balloon ride. I think I'm going to have to visit Morocco. I bet the other half would like it too. How is dear Tidgy?

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Morocco's great as a tourist spot, 4 ranges of mountains, Mediterranean and Atlantic beaches, resorts or quiet remote places, wildlife, I can ski in the winter, not 50km away, yet it stays warm here, lovely food, cheap souvenirs, the Sahara desert and camels (which i hate).Alcohol's cheap and acceptable.
Tidgy is currently sleeping in her favourite hide of the moment, but has had a good day, though it's a bit hot for her to be outside for long, though she has lots of showers and soaks that she loves.

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

You've got a Russian haven't you, Michelle?
Forgive me, but I forget the name.
Hope he's doing well.
I do remember you liked "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo." one of my favourite book series for years, probably the favourite.

 

[meech008]

I do have a Russian. His name is Earl haha. I wanted to name him Roentgen but hubby liked Earl and because he didn't originally want the tortoise when I rescued him, I let him decide on Earl. He is doing wonderfully. We're working on an outdoor enclosure for him to enjoy in the summer time because I hate seeing him cooped up. He's eating like a pig and eats everything I put down so that's great. He has a huge water dish and loves to lay in it for a good little while so I think he's doing better than where he came from.
I love all books really. I did enjoy "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" very much. I'm currently reading Grimm's fairy tales again. Do you enjoy a particular genre of books?

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Roentgen would certainly have been more unusual and better than X-ray (or Earl).
Love the brothers Grimm too.
No particular genre, a good book is a good book.
I usually read 1 a day or so, but about 2 a week at the moment 'cos of other work and TFO.
Reading a comedy about 60's TV by Nick Hornby at the moment, very funny.

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Crikey, must quickly eat and drink something, before the cannon goes off to signal the start of fasting for the day.
I am fasting for Ramadan, as I always do to show solidarity with my Muslim friends and neighbours.

 

[meech008]

I loved the name Roentgen but alas I'll have to wait until we get another animal. Is fasting difficult? I'm sure you get the question frequently.

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

I loved the name Roentgen but alas I'll have to wait until we get another animal. Is fasting difficult? I'm sure you get the question frequently.

i do, even from the people here, because i'm a non-Muslim.
It is very hard not drinking anything at 110°F through 18 hours, I miss my coffee, but I don't eat much in the day anyway, so that bits okay.
For me the hardest thing is not smoking. i tend to get a tad irritable.
Hmmmm, wifey is saying a lot irritable, well she can talk. (and does.)
i know smoking is bad of course, and is probably killing me, especially since I lost a third of my lungs to TB, but I enjoy it.
One of the great things for me here, is I can still smoke in public places without feeling like a social leper.

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Tonight is the holiest night in the month of Ramadan.
Here in Morocco, thousands of worshippers gathered in the Hassan II mosque, the largest mosque in Africa and the seventh biggest in the world.
And then a mouse appereared.
In the resulting stampede, more than 80 people, mostly women were injured and taken to hospital as the men screamed and trampled them trying to escape the mouse.
I despair.

 

[Cowboy_Ken]

And what of the mouse? Could he not have been a test? First timer here. Points still count, or has the Greece signing the economic control away put an end to them,(points) ?

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Good morning. Is anyone else here?
I can't friggin' see........

 

[ZEROPILOT]

I'll be back later. I'll leave quietly......

 

[meech008]

i do, even from the people here, because i'm a non-Muslim.
It is very hard not drinking anything at 110°F through 18 hours, I miss my coffee, but I don't eat much in the day anyway, so that bits okay.
For me the hardest thing is not smoking. i tend to get a tad irritable.
Hmmmm, wifey is saying a lot irritable, well she can talk. (and does.)
i know smoking is bad of course, and is probably killing me, especially since I lost a third of my lungs to TB, but I enjoy it.
One of the great things for me here, is I can still smoke in public places without feeling like a social leper.

I would have a harder time not drinking than not eating as well. I drink a lot of water during the day and if I don't get a certain amount at the minimum I get terrible terrible migraines. I need to go see a neurologist.
I don't judge with the smoking. I used to smoke and I miss it dearly sometimes. Especially since my husband still smokes. He does agree though, smoking outside in public in the states is looked down upon. Sorry for the long response time, I fell asleep.

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Apparently everyone else is sleeping too.
I'm getting my Futon.

 

[Cowboy_Ken]

Well needless to say I'm awake. Is Adam aware how crowded it gets here when he's not around? And whose turn is it to make the coffee?

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Are you sure he's NOT here somewhere in the dark watching us and tallying up points as we speak?

 

[Cowboy_Ken]

Well I did hear a slight stirring when I peed over in the dark …