Having no wind, I explore the old quarter of Tarifa, which provided a very interesting maze of narrow alleys and surprise open air squares nestled away. But I also kept my eyes open for other activities. When I went for a drink with my kiter hitchhiker and his girlfriend, they suggested how cheap it is to go across to Africa for a day. I found an offer for ferry, guided tour, plus lunch for 45 euros – a very good deal.
Next day we boarded at 10am and made the quick crossing from a tiny Spanish outpost to a bustling, burgeoning Moroccan metropolis. Although the tour was very ‘touristy’, I got a good deal out of the quick bus ride – narrated by one guy in English, French, and Spanish in quick succession: impressive.
For one euro, we got a quick ride on camels, which was one of those ‘must do’ experiences for an accomplished horseman, just to compare. Then we got a walking tour of the truly maze-like old town and markets with its hustle and bustle, and fascinatingly foreign sites and smells.
Finally to lunch, and we were well impressed that for our complete 45 euro package, this meal consisted of bread, soup, kebab, then chicken in couscous, accompanied by authentic live music and not so authentic belly dancing. It was great fun!
Finally we were guided through a few shops that made a theatre of presenting their wares: first carpets, then holistic medicines, and finally knick-nack brassware ornaments. I took a serious look at the carpets, but nothing cried out to me. Fortunately I’m very resistant to a pressure sale. Sadly the same wasn’t true for my English-speaking companions: a young guy from Australia and his slightly wiser girlfriend from Canada. She did well picking up a carpet, but probably paid more than double what she could have done given time. And he was suckered into a bracelet that even he regretted 5 minutes later. But they will both value their treasures as much as they overpaid for them.
Others in our group were chased and harassed by street hawkers , but curiously I’ve learned the body language it takes to shake them off with a simple toss of my head. Yet it as fun watching one girl drag one particular vendor for miles, negotiating on a simple bracelet. Even when she’d got him down to 1 euro, she tried to short change him. I thought it was great entertainment!
All in all it was an eye-opener, especially as the King of Morocco was due to arrive the next day, so everything was in preparation with huge red state flags hung everywhere. We finished in the Hotel Continental, apparently being famous as a movie set for Bogart and 007 movies. Back across the water, I enjoyed a nice dinner with my new friends which rounded out the day just nicely.
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