Sample - Post Card from Great Mosque of Kairouan, A.D. 836-75 (Abbasid period) located in Kairouan, Tunisia

Courtesy of Anthony Ziehmke, Bikeabout.com

Dear Mom and Dad,

Today I arrived in Kairouan, Tunisia which is near Souse. On my post card there is a picture of the Great Mosque. I stayed here with some of the scholars and religious leaders. We talked about Muslim law and I learned a lot. Everyone speaks Arabic and at least one other language.

The weather is very hot again, over 100 degrees! I hope it will rain soon, but I doubt it. I look out onto the flat land and can't see any clouds at all.

We came here by camel caravan, but I rode the donkey you bought for me. On the way our caravan was watched by raiders. It was a good thing that we were so large, so they didn't try anything.

Now I am about 800 miles from home. I'm really homesick, too. I miss you very much.

I'll write to you at my next stop.

Your loving son, Ibn Battuta

Sept. 13, 1325 (725 A.H.)

P.S. I'm thinking about getting married. Hope you don't mind. I haven't talked to the girl yet, but I'll arrange something with her father.