Signs, Pumps and Wonders

The new pump installed

The significance of the name Derb El Boumba has been on our minds since we first visited the pomegranate tree riad in December. Having asked around the neighbours and the kids who knock around on the street, we discovered 'Boumba' is arabic for 'pump', i.e. street of the pump. This did appear a bit strange and we have not yet worked out why the derb should be called this as there is no obvious pump or even well in the street, however there will be a reason. There is a well in the riad though! More exploring and asking is required. It is perhaps significant though that upon returning from the December trip we opened our door in Glasgow to a flood. During the 4 days we had been in Marrakech it reached -18C at night in Glasgow and despite leaving our heating on timer, during the off period at night the pump which pressurises the water before it enters the boiler had frozen solid, then the heating did not come on in the morning and the boiler froze too. Upon returning the thaw had started and the water was gushing from the broken and split pump. Pump burst...causing flood...sign of blessing...derb el Boumba?