My group up early as we were the cook group for today. We did scrambled eggs but for some reason they came out green. And baked beans. Nothing too difficult. Rachael took our tent on her own as I had to cook. Then we all loaded into the truck for the four hour ride to Volubolis, the site of the ancient roman ruins. Had lunch at the truck again (more spam and bread), and then a guided tour of the ruins. Some people couldn't make it as they had already become sick - possibly from the lack of hygiene available to us. Was extremely hot walking around the site which had almost no shade, I estimated about 35 - 39C. Angela got heat stroke and others with vomiting. My camera stopped working I think due to the heat.
Volubolis was estimated at a population of 30-40,000 people at it's height. The Arch de Triumph still stands in almost perfect condition. Many beautiful in-laid tilings on the floors of houses which were still in their original condition. Enormous courtyards acted as light and ventilation with evidence of fountains and fish-ponds in the centre of the larger houses. We saw a brothel, complete with giant penis statue in the centre. The public loos boasted a vomitorium, where you could go to throw up during a feast so you could fit more in. A line of oval-shaped loos were used by the men so they could sit together and chat (in lieu of a good newspaper)? All the run-off carefully circumnavigated the enormous olive presses below. A truly fascinating insight into ancient roman life. Just like Discovery channel, only in 3D!!
Back on the truck and into Fes, where we set up camp for the evening. One the way, we stopped to get ingredients for dinner. It was an enormous 'cash and carry' supermarket, with everything in bulk. Only our group was allowed in to do the shopping so we felt very lucky as we all got a chance to stock up on things like toothpaste and soap that we were running out of. We bought ingredients for hamburgers, guacamole and coleslaw.
Back at camp, Julie and I made the hamburgers - I put tomato sauce, worchestire sauce, eggs, salt, pepper and spices and then coated in cornflour and fried in oil on the gas hobbs. Took ages to make enough for 20 hungry people. Dion made an excellent coleslaw and Gina made a huge batch of Guacamole - everyone loved it and there were no leftovers. The hamburgers were a first for me and I can't believe how good they turned out.
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