The Daltons are in town

The few campers that come by these days complain about the weather being too hot. It is very hot, but only from 10 till 17:00. The mornings, evenings and nights are still relatively fresh.

The difference with last year is that the shadow trees (the locals call them “parasols”) have grown huge and provide protection against the sun. They provide an excellent spot for the campers to put their tent or to just rest in the shadow.

When Zakaria needs a walk in the garden, I immediately head for the shadow trees. He enjoys them because they have so many leaves which he can grasp. I just love to sit there.

The best place to hide from the sun heat is the house. The tiles stay cool, if no sun allowed on them. It’s fun to lye on the cool floor.

Especially for Zakaria who is at the most painful stage of getting his first teeth out. He has got 4 by now and others are coming. He is not eating nor sleeping well. And needs a lot of comforting.

He loves making a ride either in the car or on the motorbike, and has been visiting nephews of his a few times going along on the motorbike with one of his bog brothers. He is very outgoing.

The big story this week is that motorbikes are being stolen in the village. Usually one that is standing in front of the door with the key in it. It happens at the time that the villagers are taking their afternoon nap.

Yesterday, at about 14 o’clock I was working in the kitchen and heard talking and laughing in the street. That is so unusual at the most peaceful moment of the day. I looked outside and saw 4 youngsters passing by. Each of them with a cigarette in their mouth, they looked like delinquents. When the leader saw the workshop and garages underneath the house, he urged them all to stop. He had a good look and then they continued walking. I went on the balcony to see where they were going and found them to be at about 100 meters away observing our building still. When the leader saw me, he signed to all to disperse and they ran away.

I told Khaliel - who is working downstairs – that he has to be careful. He was sleeping with the television at maximum volume.

Today I hear a lot of customers coming by and the word is spreading fast.

Lesson learned for the villagers is that leaving the front door open and the key in the car or on the motorbike is something of the past. Times are changing.