Description of the Vikings
Every day they wash their faces and heads, all using the same water which is as filthy as can be imagined. This is how it is done. Every morning a girl brings her master a large bowl of water in which he washes his face and hands and hair, combing it also over the bowl, then blows his nose and spits into the water. No dirt is left on him which doesn't go into the water. When he has finished, the girl takes the same bowl to his neighbor - who repeats the performance - until the bowl has gone round to the entire household. All have blown their noses, spat, and washed their faces and hair in the water. (265)
I inquired of the interpreter what it was she had done. He replied: "The first time she said, 'Lo, I see here my father and mother'; the second time, 'Lo, now I see all my deceased relatives sitting'; the third time, 'Lo, there is my master, who is sitting in Paradise. Paradise is so beautiful, so green. With him are his men and boys. He calls me, so bring me to him.'" (51-52; cf. Y. Cohat, 154-155)
I had in my mind to make many prayers to Allah, and also to record in the eyes of my mind, in the memory of my soul, the many experiences that a man must undergo as he dangles from ropes down such a wind-torn rocky cliff.