"Among their odious customs is that women do not veil themselves, and they are not ashamed of this. Many of the women I saw were more beautiful than the men."

"I was once given a parrot that could speak many languages. It was a very intelligent bird, and I enjoyed its company."

"I saw a river in this land that flowed with milk and honey. It was a miraculous sight, though I suspect it was a trick of the light."

"The people of this city are very religious. They pray five times a day and fast during the month of Ramadan."

"The women of this country do not cover their heads, and they are not ashamed of this. We saw many of them whose faces were more beautiful than the faces of the men."