start in Casablanca

Madrid-Barajas airport

a birthday rainbow

Omi Marga

around the town

a last look

Wednesday 22 December 1999

We awake. We enjoy a family bed, but we find that the recovering Isaac doesn't seem to mind the reassuring confined space of a crib while we get ready. It's a nice alternative to having him slip on the slick tile floors.

We walk past the Yumbo Centrum to Atlantis Uno. Omi Marga has a breakfast ready for us. It's the first substantial meal we've eaten since sometime in Casablanca - between Isaac's illness and Ramadan.

Isaac always perks up when he's in the company of Omi, even though there's always a bit of tension brought on by his exhuberance. A small child in an un-child-proofed apartment is difficult, even with good humor all around.

Isaac finally felt good enough to do his nose-nibbling behavior. Omi joins the fellowship of the nose.

A dish of ice cream and fresh berries really brings out the boy we know and love. It's good to see him slowly coming back to us. It's been a harrowing detour.

Omi has fruit tea waiting for us as well, which I'm thrilled to drink. I've been fighting the same flu, and except for a few hours of chills and fever, I've been winning. Hydration is a good thing.

Omi gets a fever; from us? Probably. Although she recovers in one day, which is better than any of us have done.

Late in the evening we leave Omi's place and head back to the Rey Carlos. Here's Isaac in Rose's arms, finally out of danger of dehydration, no longer vomiting or suffering from any ill effects from his misadventure (except that he stays weaker than normal for a week or so longer).

Tomorrow we take a walking tour around the town.