a very fine lunch

I have had my friends ask me why I have chosen to remain in Morocco after Q leaves, especially given my distaste for heat. In addition to the attributes I have listed in previous posts there is this..

I am sitting in my Souissi “office” (not to be confused with my office in the new city at the Majestic, or my office in Agdal, located at PAUL’s) which is in fact on the ground floor just off the food court. I love writing; it’s such a portable profession. Don’t think food court in the sense of most malls. I have shopped in the posh Prudential Mall in Boston, the equally posh Neiman Marcus mall in San Francisco, and the more family oriented mall in Glendale, California. I can honestly say I have never been to a mall on any other continent, or in any other country. The food courts in the above malls are not places I would eat.

That cannot be said about the Food Court in the Mega Mall of Souissi. I have been working there a good deal this week to escape the heat while Q is out of town. Also I very much enjoy the people watching opportunities afforded. I have been making the rounds of the various establishments for lunch, all have been satisfactory, and I found excellent coffee. But on Thursday I tried the Kiotori. Q and I had noted the chaps about in their Hakamas trousers and kimonos of black, looking quite un-Japanese but very handsome. We are both lovers of Sushi but considering the refrigeration processes or lack of them, we have seen in Morocco, we thought we best pass. I thought on this day I would have a look at the menu, as the restaurant is very inviting in appearance. The young man at the desk, who spoke English, greeted me with the menu and told me the specialties. After ordering I began to say where I was sitting, “Oh that is not necessary. We know where you are sitting. We have been seeing you.” I leave you to interpret that remark. I went back to work.

A short time later this same chap comes to my “office” and says, “Now we don’t want to disturb your office, so I will set up a table for you here.” At which point he pulled over one of the smaller tables, removed all chairs from it but one and set out a place setting, glasses, et al. Then proceeded to bring me a delicious lunch.

Toasted shrimp, vegetables, rice and fresh ginger served on a wooden Edo Fune, with chopsticks. Followed with café’ au lait that was superb. Total cost? 130 dirhams (16 usd, 8 pounds). There did seem to be some amazement at the neighboring tables caused by my expert handling of the chopsticks (years at the neighborhood Chinese/Japanese restaurants) in several cities.

Back to work for me. Ciao.