Merry Xmas

Ok, well all these pics are on Facebook but here are a couple of us in Marrakech last week. Had a good time, and it was certainly a different holiday. We've beeen to Thailand before where the stark contrast between the poverty and the developing areas is difficult to rationalise, but Morocco was something else. We stayed in a very nice Riad (hotel) which was bang in the middle of the souks (street markets), where the poverty jumped out at you and the begging was almost constant and certainly uncomfortable. But then we hired a car for a couple of days and drove to the Atlas Mountains, did some walking up there and saw some fantastic scenery, such as waterfalls. I was even able to drive, and that was fun - of course being a French colony until 1956, in Morocco you drive on the right-hand side of the road. But it was still my dad that got pulled over for speeding by the fuzz...Also, Natalie (a friend who worked at the Ormonds) was out there at the same time, so she came along and we met up for dinner a few times - all good. My dad had me worried that as it's an Islamic country (albeit a relatively relaxed one) we wouldn't be able to get booze out there, but luckily they cater for us tourists in the hotels (away from public gaze) so we avoided having a dry holiday! Saw a few snake charmers but didn't get close (dad's a real ophidiophobic) - but anyway I don't think I can describe the break accurately online, ask me about it in person!!

Back home in Tetbury now and my God do I need the break! Was working stupid hours at the very busy hotel in the run up to Xmas, was so drained. Had a few interesting experiences all in one night - drunk weirdos arguing, fire alarm, evacuation, power cuts - certainly spiced it all up! Was glad when the final shift came - was able to hang out with friends for a little bit before heading home. On the Saturday Guy and I went to Star City (for the first time ever!) and saw the Borat movie. Now, we thought the cinema was on Broad Street somewhere so that was the first interesting aspect of the trip - getting to the damn cinema!! Seeing Star City was really fun - a cheap, chavy Vegas which Guy and I fell in love with, naturally! It was certainly weird being in the ethnic minority!! But the movie was absolutely fantastic - very funny, clever and insightful. We were squirming and laughing all the way through, turning to each other and saying "How the hell does he get away with this?!" Love it! We then joined a casino for free, got a free drink and £5 to spend on the machines, at which Guy won 22 quid the lucky git. We gotta go back and play for real sometime, we can be such poker addicts! Some roulette would be cool too. And like I say, I've barely seen him recently so was nice to hang out and do some male bonding.

Ok gonna quickly reel off some other stuff - went and saw Rox's conducting exam (damn good), had a nice house Xmas meal (damn tasty), got some great pressies for Xmas (so i've clearly been a good little boy this year - yea whatever!!) Sam got me the 2 Spiderman films on DVD (think there's a third in the pipeline), and mum and dad got me Peter Kay's autobiography, 24 series 5 on DVD (f***ing amazing) and a Sony MP3 player - don't quite know what I've done to deserve all this but I ain't complaining. Have had a relaxing, family Chirstmas at home - just what the doctor ordered. Need to catch up with home friends too.

Hope you're all well and having a restful time - make the most of it!!
Love, Jxx