“I want to show you something. There is a cave near the High Point of Sacrifice. In it, is something they used to … used in the old days,” said Juomaa.
Our Bedouin guide was obviously struggling to wrap his tongue around something.
“What is it?”
“I cannot say the word. Before Islam, they used it – for ceremonies. Would you like to see it?”
“Of course, we would.”
“Tomorrow I will take you by donkey. I will meet you at the Siq’s at 7am?”
“No, we’ll never make it by 7. Try 9 o’clock. I will confirm with you later.”
We exchanged mobile numbers. While I paid Juomaa, my friends slipped Maaz his tip.
“Until tomorrow.”
“Inshallah,” we said.
Maaz had kept up the pace, but his smile had faded. He had not eaten anything. He had turned down the drink we offered him, obviously instructed not to ask for anything from us.
After a shower and dinner, we were ready for bed. My friend had made it through the day and enjoyed our trek to the Monastery, but she was fighting bronchitis and was exhausted. She begged off the next day.
Around 10, Juomaa gave me a missed call.
I texted back.
Salam. There will be 2 of us coming tomorrow. We will see you at 9am at the dam near the Siq Entrance. Thanks, Eva.
Tales of Dragons, Rabbits and Roosters 