Back to Oran

After the walk with the children, Djelloul and the others came back, and the plan had changed.  Instead of going further south to the ancient sites there, we'd return to Oran to spend more time with Mohammed and his family, and see the sites around the coast.  So we gave hugs all around, and fond farewells.

Filling up, I stepped out to hear the racket of bleating.  One of the many trucks hauling sheep.

 It was a long drive back.

I'd hoped to see the stars in the Sahara, but somehow the streetlights in Ain Sefra were just as bright as in Brooklyn.  But out the car window the big dipper followed.  I could reach out my hand and hold the handle, and the cup would have caught the wind.  then the full moon rose and took over our escort.

 Finally, a small town on the outskirts of Oran, somewhere around 11 at night.  Our guardian angels leave us to enjoy the rest of our trip safely.

 We are greeted by Mohammed and his wife, who have stayed up waiting for us with a sumptuous dinner of rice salad,  stuffed artichoke hearts and peas. We sleep there that night.  The next day we'll all go off to enjoy a drive in the country to a favorite vacation spot, and the next day Walid will drive us to Santa Cruz, the ancient Spanish fort at the crest of the city.  Then it's back to Tiaret for rest before a tour of Algiers and the Casbah and the plane to Paris.
You do not want to miss the Casbah!