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Re: Spain and Morocco in 2 weeks
Leaving Fes
Rachid was at the dar in the morning; his attentiveness to my security – he is like a big brother but just a couple years younger than I am. We now greet the customary ways of Muslims or Moroccans that I have seen; three kisses on cheeks and a warm hug. My last morning in Fes and my feelings were bitter sweet. I came to this city, alone but on my way found friendship from two men who made coming here worth the while and my hostess Fatima opened her home to my presence. Their warmth, friendliness, hospitality, and genuine affection are endearing and enduring. Rachid and Zak are two people whom I will always remain in contact with and hope to see both again, as we said ‘In sha allah’. My time at Fatima’s dar was relaxing and hospitable. To be welcome and become a part of a family made coming here so much more comforting and no longer made me felt that I was a tourist but a family member to spend time, even if shortly. I did not want to leave and the many hugs and kisses we shared on my departure, which told me that they would love to have me stay longer…
Right now I am on the train and heading back to Tangier…
The train to Tangier was very sparse; the coach I was in had only one other person, a young Moroccan and within minutes he and I started a long conversation which lasted for the duration of the trip and him missing his stop. My traveling partner, who is a Moroccan living in England, confessed that he is a recovering drug abuser and has been 10 days clean and back home as part of his recovery. I rewarded him for his honesty and path for a better future with kind words of encouragement and that was the least I could do.
So now I have a swath of Moroccan dhiram and no Euros! But I had enough dhiram to pay for a taxi to the ferry. I had forgotten that ferries to Algeciras were at a different location and I was in luck as a bus, just across the street would get me there at no charge. I had to beat feet to a travel agency for ferry ticket and beat feet to catch the bus. Now, I am on the ferry heading back to Algeciras. It is now 8:23PM by Moroccan clock and another hour before the ferry leaves dock. I hope to catch a bus from Algeciras to the airport. Tomorrow is my flight out and if god is willing, I’ll just sleep at the airport and not bother with hotel for the night.
It is Friday night and after a day of traveling from Morocco back to Spain, I stayed a few hours in Algeciras as the bus route to Malaga was not running at 1AM in the morning. I had no choice but stay at a hotel for just 3 hours. Up at 5AM and the bus to Malaga leaves at 7:30AM, a 2 hour ride. Then I will have to take another bus from Malaga to airport which is further out and that will be another hour. I was totally out of Euros! To make this short, I got a taxi, had to use ATM for cash and was at the airport before 7AM. After 2 hours I found out my flight was cancelled! Delta put me in a nice hotel with meals and transportation included. Saturday morning my flight is schedule to leave Malaga for the US.
Leaving Fes
Rachid was at the dar in the morning; his attentiveness to my security – he is like a big brother but just a couple years younger than I am. We now greet the customary ways of Muslims or Moroccans that I have seen; three kisses on cheeks and a warm hug. My last morning in Fes and my feelings were bitter sweet. I came to this city, alone but on my way found friendship from two men who made coming here worth the while and my hostess Fatima opened her home to my presence. Their warmth, friendliness, hospitality, and genuine affection are endearing and enduring. Rachid and Zak are two people whom I will always remain in contact with and hope to see both again, as we said ‘In sha allah’. My time at Fatima’s dar was relaxing and hospitable. To be welcome and become a part of a family made coming here so much more comforting and no longer made me felt that I was a tourist but a family member to spend time, even if shortly. I did not want to leave and the many hugs and kisses we shared on my departure, which told me that they would love to have me stay longer…
Right now I am on the train and heading back to Tangier…
The train to Tangier was very sparse; the coach I was in had only one other person, a young Moroccan and within minutes he and I started a long conversation which lasted for the duration of the trip and him missing his stop. My traveling partner, who is a Moroccan living in England, confessed that he is a recovering drug abuser and has been 10 days clean and back home as part of his recovery. I rewarded him for his honesty and path for a better future with kind words of encouragement and that was the least I could do.
So now I have a swath of Moroccan dhiram and no Euros! But I had enough dhiram to pay for a taxi to the ferry. I had forgotten that ferries to Algeciras were at a different location and I was in luck as a bus, just across the street would get me there at no charge. I had to beat feet to a travel agency for ferry ticket and beat feet to catch the bus. Now, I am on the ferry heading back to Algeciras. It is now 8:23PM by Moroccan clock and another hour before the ferry leaves dock. I hope to catch a bus from Algeciras to the airport. Tomorrow is my flight out and if god is willing, I’ll just sleep at the airport and not bother with hotel for the night.
It is Friday night and after a day of traveling from Morocco back to Spain, I stayed a few hours in Algeciras as the bus route to Malaga was not running at 1AM in the morning. I had no choice but stay at a hotel for just 3 hours. Up at 5AM and the bus to Malaga leaves at 7:30AM, a 2 hour ride. Then I will have to take another bus from Malaga to airport which is further out and that will be another hour. I was totally out of Euros! To make this short, I got a taxi, had to use ATM for cash and was at the airport before 7AM. After 2 hours I found out my flight was cancelled! Delta put me in a nice hotel with meals and transportation included. Saturday morning my flight is schedule to leave Malaga for the US.
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