"I was once caught in a sandstorm in this land. The sand was so thick I could not see my hand in front of my face."

"I was once given a magic carpet in this land, but it did not fly. It was just a very beautiful rug."

"In Mali, I saw a man eat an entire roasted sheep by himself, and then drink a bucket of sour milk. The people there have stomachs like camels."

"I saw a man in this city who had a beard so long that it reached his waist. He was a very respected scholar, but I could not help but chuckle."

"The people of this country are very hospitable, but they have a strange custom: they shave their heads and beards."