The heat of the Saharan sun beat down on our minivan full of sweaty, tired tourists. The convection oven with wheels intensified my hunger and my deep craving for salty, deep-fried Americanism: a McDonald’s french-fry. I had grown tired of the Moroccan special, tangine and mint tea, shortly upon arriving in the country.
FINALIST 2015 FTF TEEN TRAVEL WRITING SCHOLARSHIP
Sighing, I looked out the window, only to see a few goat-herders tending to their far-flung flocks, and brittle shrubs dotting the arid landscape. The empty silence was broken when Nour, our guide, said to our driver, “Rashid, we’ll stop here.” Breaking the monotony, I peered down the road to see we were approaching two rows of shops. Bumbling to a stop, we landed in front of a meager café. As we filed out of our clown car, my eyes began to adjust to the brightness.
As Nour negotiated with the restaurateur and helped to form a table large enough for the nine of us, we staggered around, observing our surroundings. There were two tables, one to each side of the restaurant door. To the left, several whole carcasses of goats, defenseless to the menacing flies, hung motionless in the dry air in front of the butcher. To the right, at the second table, sat a family of four: a stern, commanding patriarchal figure; a humble woman, with a scarfed head; and two sons, both of their curiosities peaked by the gaggle of white people sitting at the next table. While the two sons munched and sipped their sustenance, the parents sat quietly by, the mother tending to her sons while her husband sat authoritatively; Ramadan kept them from eating along with their sons.
The family finished their meal before we finished ours. The patriarch, with his meek wife beside him, conversed with the restaurateur, presumably working out the check. As this exchange went on, the oldest son, who could have been no more than four, ventured from his mother’s skirt towards the butcher’s shop. My glance followed him as he toddled towards a particular goat: one with its head still attached. Hung from its hind hooves, the neck of the goat hung down such that the head of the boy and the goat were almost on the same plane. As I watched this small boy, he crouched down to look up at the goat, and began talking to the lifeless creature dangling above him. Before I could question what I was seeing, he grabbed the carcass by the horns and started twisting the head, allowing the goat to nod or shake his head in response to the young boy’s queries.
“Is that what I think it is?” another tourist squeaked, regretting her choice of the goat tangine. Blinded by a great photo-op, the other tourists sprang into action, incessantly taking pictures of the little boy and his new-found friend, who, oblivious to the situation, kissed the goat on the nose. At the sounds of the westerner’s giggles and coos, the patriarch stepped in to defend his son, protecting his toddler’s soul from being captured by the cameras. Nour attempted to calm the angered man, instructing the tourists to turn off their cameras.
At the time, I was amazed more by my fellow travelers than the boy; the shear disrespect for the culture around them was astounding. Worse still, I was angered by the fact that I too was cursed by the vexed father, despite our mutual disgust for my fellow tourists. In retrospect, however, I am fine with being prejudged as an “ugly American,” because my childhood was filled with Barbie Dolls instead of goat heads.
Dear Reader: This page may contain affiliate links which may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Our independent journalism is not influenced by any advertiser or commercial initiative unless it is clearly marked as sponsored content. As travel products change, please be sure to reconfirm all details and stay up to date with current events to ensure a safe and successful trip.
0 Replies to “Peculiar Friends: The Tale of A Goat And His Boy”
Comment on this article
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
The content here is well-researched and very informative, making it a valuable read. This site continues to be a great source of useful and engaging articles.
This blog does a great job of highlighting the rich Black history in St. Augustine. It’s informative and well-structured, making it easy to follow the timeline of events. The details about Fort Mose and the Civil Rights Movement are especially powerful. A must-read for anyone interested in history and culture!
These holiday light displays look absolutely magical! I’m especially drawn to the ‘Las Noches de Las Luminarias’ in Phoenix with all those glowing cacti and lanterns – what a unique and beautiful way to celebrate the season. I also love the idea of the Enchanted Forest in Pine Mountain with its millions of lights. It’s amazing how many incredible places there are to enjoy the festive spirit! I’ll definitely be adding a few of these to my holiday bucket list. Happy holidays to all!
I did a fall road trip through New England, and having a Zetexa eSIM was a lifesaver—no dropped signals, even in remote areas! It made navigating scenic routes so much easier. What’s your favorite fall foliage spot?
Hi, just wanted to say, I enjoyed this post. It was practical.
Keep on posting!
Very nice post. I definitely love this website.
Keep it up!
I must thank you for the efforts you have put in writing this blog.
I really hope to view the same high-grade blog posts by you in the future as well. In fact, your creative writing abilities has inspired me to get my own site now 😉
Just wish to say your article is as astonishing. The clarity in your post is simply spectacular and i can assume you are an expert on this subject. Well with your permission allow me to grab your RSS feed to keep updated with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please keep up the enjoyable work.
I appreciate, cause I found exactly what I was looking for. You’ve ended my 4 day long hunt! God Bless you man. Have a nice day. Bye
Heya i am for the first time here. I found this board and I find It really useful & it helped me out a lot.
I hope to give something back and help others like you aided me.
I really like what you guys are up too. This kind of clever work and reporting! Keep up the very good works guys I’ve you guys to blogroll.
For most recent information you have to pay a quick visit world wide web and on web I found this web site as a best website for latest updates. https://www.traillink.com/stateactivity/nv-hiking-trails/
thank you for sharing with us
Fantastic blog!
We offer pick up at Washougal port and drop off at Portland Airport, with a private tour of the city to fill your time until your flight! See our website for more information.
https://www.peaktoursandtransit.com/americancruiselines
Yourr style is really unique compared to other folks I have read stuff from. Many thanks for posting when you’ve got the opportunity, Guess I will just bookmark this site.
Starting the New Year with such vibrant celebrations sounds like a fantastic idea! This guide offers great inspiration for planning a memorable First Night. For anyone looking to experience similar festivities abroad or even within India, the Best Travel Agency in India can make your travel dreams come true. Cheers to a year full of exciting journeys!
Nice i really enjoyed reading your blogs. Keep on posting. Thanks
Would you like this New Year to be the year you let go of your hurtful past? Make the resolution to make the change to become your Best Self.
I am impressed with this website , really I am a fan.
This excellent website truly has all of the information I wanted about this subject and didn’t know who to ask.
Travel Tuesday is such a great opportunity for families to lock in incredible vacation deals! The Caribbean all-inclusive offers and luxury cruises caught my eye this year. For anyone planning trips in 2025, now’s the time to grab those discounts. I’ve found that setting up airfare alerts and exploring flexible travel tools can help extend the savings even further. What’s your favorite way to find hidden travel deals?
Bokeo is truly a captivating delight located in Thailand!
The blend of unspoiled nature, rich culture, and serene landscapes provide an unforgettable trip.
From hidden waterfalls to genuine experiences, every
minute in Bokeo will feel like a voyage of discovery.
You must visit Bokeo if you are looking for authentic Thai appeal and
undiscovered adventure!
ADMIN NOTE: The province of Bokeo is actually in Northern Laos.
Informative article, exactly what I was looking for.
Excellent article. Keep writing such kind of information on your
site. Im really impressed by your site.
Hey there, You’ve done a fantastic job. I’ll definitely
digg it and in my opinion suggest to my friends.
I’m confident they’ll be benefited from this site.
Great wordpress blog here.. It’s hard to find quality writing like yours these days. I really appreciate people like you! take care
How do family-friendly hotels like the Regency Bar & Grill balance a casual atmosphere with upscale dining experiences? Can such venues successfully cater to both adult tastes and children’s preferences without compromising on quality?”,
I have been exploring for a bit for any high quality articles or blog posts on this sort of area . Exploring in Yahoo I eventually stumbled upon this site. Studying this info So i?¦m glad to convey that I have a very just right uncanny feeling I discovered exactly what I needed. I so much unquestionably will make certain to do not fail to remember this web site and give it a glance on a continuing basis.
I really appreciate this post. I have been looking all over for this! Thank goodness I found it on Bing. You have made my day! Thx again!
Pretty great post. I simply stumbled upon your weblog and wanted to say that I’ve really enjoyed surfing around your weblog posts. In any case I will be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write once more soon!
I’ve been really impressed
It’s actually a cool and helpful piece of info. I am happy that you simply shared this helpful info with us. Please keep us up to date like this. Thanks for sharing.
Is it possible for a hotel to truly cater to both adults and children without compromising on the dining experience? How can establishments like the Regency Bar & Grill balance sophisticated culinary offerings with kid-friendly options, and do you think this duality enhances or detracts from the overall atmosphere?
What unique dining experiences can families expect at hotels in the Upper East Side, and how do these experiences cater to both adults and children? Are there any hidden gems or unconventional menu items that truly set these family-friendly hotels apart from the typical offerings?”,
“refusal
TY for posting, it was unbelieveably informative and helped me a ton
Hi there! Would you mind if I share your blog with my zynga group?
There’s a lot of folks that I think would really appreciate your
content. Please let me know. Thank you
Very interesting information! Perfect just what I was looking for!
“The most wasted day of all is that on which we have not laughed.” by Sbastien-Roch Nicolas de Chamfort.
I was very pleased to find this web-site.I wanted to thanks for your time for this wonderful read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you blog post.
Las Vegas has so much to offer beyond the usual attractions! If you’re looking for a unique experience, consider exploring the local art scene or taking a day trip to the nearby Red Rock Canyon for some beautiful hiking. It’s a great way to balance the excitement of the Strip with some natural beauty!
I appreciate the practical advice you’ve given here.
Thank for your sharing. That’s good to take children to this places.
i like this article , it was useful
I wanted to thank you for this great read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post…
I truly appreciate this post. I’ve been looking all over for this! Thank goodness I found it on Bing. You have made my day! Thanks again!