BLOCKED AT MERZOUGA

Tangers, Fez, Marrakech, Ouarzazate, Tinghir, Tinejdad, and now Merzouga. After having gone deeper and deeper into unknown territory, for me, I've been given the slip with no change in return.

With indications like: third date tree in the north palm grove, turn left at the crippled camel; 100 donkey steps to the right during the third prayer of the day, it's a wonder I'm having problems catching up with Ali B. Now I'm at Merzouga, facing the first dunes of the great desert and, somehow, I've apparently missed him by a week, go figure.

He's now in Algeria somewhere and I won't be able to follow him in cause I don't have a visa and because the border is closed by terrestrial routes. Also, and I'm sorry to say this, but I'm not about to go traipsing across the freakin' desert after a guy who's got ants in his pants -maybe even a few scorpions, by the size of the leaps he's been making!

I feel as though I have failed you all, and Richard T especially. I'd best avoid public transport from here on in. It should be safer getting back.

A disappointed,

JS.