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December 24, 2005
No wise men here....sorry
Is there room at the Inn ? I don’t know, I'll find out when I get there. There is no Mary tonight, just me and the baby Ped.
I am on the road from Atar to Nouakchott and it's Christmas Eve. There is no opening of presents, there are no television specials, just my tiger and me in the middle of the desert.
Stopped outside a police check point I briefly slip off my shoes to feel the sand squish between my toes. There is a cloudless sky this night and heaven is above. I don't see Santa, but then again Muslim and Buddhist children are disqualified from receiving presents. There are only countless stars and stretching my arms skyward I am for a moment a conductor between the heaven and earth.
The sky here is always spectacular. Paul Bowles was right. Every other sky is a mere faint hearted effort in comparison.
The baby Ped and I are following a star in night sky. It's the one straight ahead. It is the glow of yet another Mauritanian police official demanding a bribe.
Note: Why you have to buy the book.
Mauritania yielded some of the richest stories yet including...
-Snak Shak Iraq, a restaurant ran by a former Iraqi P.O.W.
-Restaurant scams (a high art in Mauritania)
Posted by Julian Cook at December 24, 2005 12:45 PM
Hi Julian,
Reading some of your postings, with the vivid description of your surroundings, I am finding that you are a very good writer. I am also glad to see you have kept your sense of humor; it comes through many of the writings.
Wishing you a happy new year and a safe journey.
Katrin
Posted by: Katrin at December 30, 2005 09:12 PM
Julian -- I am enjoying each and every one of your travel logs. Vicarious pleasure! My best wishes to you in the New Year for a long and safe journey. Travel on!!
Vince
Posted by: Vince at December 31, 2005 07:15 AM
Hey Julian,
Thanks for the updates. Happy New Year!!!!
Posted by: Kat at January 2, 2006 11:11 PM
Happy New Year, Julian! I am really enjoying your great adventure through these updates - can't imagine how awesome being there actually is! Keep those fantastic reports coming.
P.S. - The office party wasn't the same without you!
Posted by: Bob Bank at January 4, 2006 09:37 PM
Heh Julian,
What's going on? Where are you?
Love your site btw. Yeah for Buckeye!
Marnie and Marky
Posted by: Marnie and Mark at January 11, 2006 06:12 PM
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