Day 9: Khamlia

A restful day, late breakfast and then Suzanne shows us around and tells us about life in Khamlia. We then head off alone into the low lying dunes near Khamlia where black beetles busily scuttle across the sand leaving tell-tale footprints. 'Do they bite?' we wonder. A tempting finger offered gives us an affirmative answer.

We wander, climb, take photos and enjoy the absolute peace and quiet, not a soul around.

In the afternoon Suzanne is heading to the market for supplies so I ask to go with her to get some cash and mandarines. Marcelina joins me for the drive to Rissani along with Suzanne's brother and another guest. Iza and Jan stay behind and head back out into the dunes.

Rissani market is packed. Stalls full of fruit and spices, sheep, goats and cattle on sale, a donkey park and all sorts of woodworking and ironworking, shoe repairing, basket making and other craftwork in progress. There are crowds everywhere, many of whom share a friendly greeting with Suzanne as she picks out what she wants. A more touristy area of clothes and jewellery is almost deserted and shopkeepers try to tempt us

in, although none of us has any interest in buying.

Supplies bought, money obtained, we return as dusk falls, stopping in Merzouga for bread to find Jan busily playing with a young boy called Mohammed who stays with us while we eat until collapsing into an armchair and immediately falling into a deep sleep. We follow soon afterwards.