Just returned from a wonderful trip to Rome. Having visited many European cities and more worldwide, I was beginning to think that all urban metropoles where pretty much the same, but Rome is different from anywhere I have been before. It’s splendor, magnificance, history and art make it one to remember but you need some strong walking shoes and plenty of time to get around to see it all. Over the coming weeks I will post my musings on the trip, save to say, I took plenty of pictures and will also be posting them on http://organix.stirlyn.co.uk.

Where did day three go? Our fourth day in Morocco saw us venture to the coastal town of Essaouira. From Marrakech it had been a three and half hour drive along relatively quiet roads through the desert, passing through 3-4 large towns on the way. This did include stops at an Argan Community Co-op, and strangley by a man who had positioned his goats in a tree and who then flagged down passing tour groups so that we could photograph the ‘spectacle’.

This was so very funny a day for completely banal reasons. Our second day began once we had eaten our petite dejeuner. We sauntered out to Mohammed V Avenue in search of the Marrakech Tour bus, but was approached by a taxi driver who offered to tour us for 200 dirhams (again is this the standard rate?). Given the 10 minute trip[tag]Marrakech[/tag], I really didn’t. Where you someone who watch the series Quantum Leap? O boy…

Blery eyed, my Nokia alarm woke me at around 4am so that I could roll off my suitcases and finish zipping the last of what I need to take with me into the case. I couldn’t really think, my hair was a mess, I didn’t get a chance to wash it so I tied it under a bandana shoved my hat on it and thanked the Lord above that I had decided to bathe before going to sleep. I hate packing. I hate early morning short haul flights even more.