A Romance in the Air?

Well, at first I thought the Camel Bookmobile was going to be pretty slow and almost completely about the silly American in a foreign land. I was surprised to find so much budding romance in the story! The interaction between Jwahir and Abayomi is interesting but not as intriguing as Fi and Matani. These make the story feel fuller and not so preachy. Do you think Masha Hamilton should have included the romances or if the relationships give the book too much fluff and diversion from the story?