I have finally succumbed to Moroccan tummy – everyone has had a touch of it, and I thought I had escaped. I am laid low and close to the toilet. Luckily we have a few days in Marrakech to recover. I forgo the seaside trip to Essaouira and spend the day in bed. I do manage to attend our last evening festivities, but I don’t eat anything apart from an avocado juice (a fabulous local specialty.
We spend a magic evening at Adil’s family home where there are musicians and dancers and the best food of the trip. This is certaintly part of what makes this trip special – Julie and Adil’s contacts means that we are not just skating across the surface of Morocco, but meeting people in their homes. It will be one of my strongest memories of the trip.
I have another day to spend in Marakech before the train trip to Tanger, so another trip to the central square – I feel I can risk an orange juice and fancy some of the delicious squid.
I have been a little disappointed in Moroccan food – I expected more spices, more variety, but highlights have been the fresh orange juice, fresh date, figs and almonds, the pomegranites, and the home cooking wherever we went.
Train to Tanger – Adil has bought a ticket for me – a couchette on the night train – it leaves at 9pm and arrives 7.30 so is a great way to travel and cost just 350 dr (about $70NZ) I am shown to a four bunk room I will share with two other kiwis and a moroccan. The toilets are piped onto the rail tracks, so no using them in a station – and try to avoid it at any time. Luckily although still feeling distinctly sick, the medication I brought with me has stopped any movement whatever.
The process of buying a ferry ticket to Algericas is not straight forward – every ferry company has a different office with no notice outside of what they are offering. I end up accidently buying a ticket to Tarifa instead of Algericas, but am told a free bus trip to Algericas is included. When I arrive the bus is full, and I am pointed to a taxi which cost 25 Euros.
It is with much delight that I meet my friends Ceridwyn Parr and Danielle Melton. Together we are going to travel in Spain, Portugal and Italy.
