PART III

As I descended the staircase, carefully, eyes on the gorgeous man in the white Navy uniform, I felt the dress swaying side to side. I could feel the slight pinch of my shoes with each contact with the stone steps. My fingers had gone stone cold and I could not feel my knees. I could hear my breathing over the strains of Strauss’s waltz from the ballroom on the left. The smell of pine drifting in from the fireplaces tickled my nose.

When I was about halfway down the staircase everyone in the little group in the foyer stopped speaking. I hit the last stair with a relief so profound I felt giddy as I walked over to stand in front of John.

“Well you look beautiful. You have done some growing since I was last here,” he said with a smile.

“Thank you, and yes I have. I think you should know I have decided to marry you,” I just blurted it out and then blushed to the roots of my red hair. I had that terrible feeling where you are in a cold sweat and the bottom has fallen out of your gut. I had no where to go, I had to stand my ground after making my declaration.

John started to laugh, then went quiet as he looked around the group - at the men who knew me best – none of them were laughing.

“I see,” he said looking at me with a new intensity. “Why don’t we dance first?” he said gently, smiling and held out his hand for mine.



That is the story of our first grown up meeting. If this is something you want more of, you know I am a slave to my faithful readers, I shall continue along this vein... after a day or so of tales of life in Rabat.

We had a fabulous lunch over at Paul's (very French, very posh, very lovely) with our friend Suzanne who is one of those young women with the energy, compassion, and know how to rule the world that only an American can exhibit with such expectation of success. The tale of Suzanne and Kareem is not only romantic, but also political, religious, and international in scope. We did two days of serious exploration of shopping the posh side of town - lacy sheets, to-die-for-French lingerie, ancient jewelry, and macaroons.

I have some great new photographs for you of some of the stranger shopping items I’ve come upon lately as well as unique travel devices, and the pussy in a basket. That’s what is coming over the next three days then. Thank you for coming by.