I am on the African Continent at last!! Not quite in Morooco; but in the Spanish exclave of Melilla. I cannot find the comma so excuse my grammar. I knew Melilla was still Spain but i thought being across the Mediterranean would have a different feel to it. No it is exactly like Spain. The buildings; the streets; the people; the shops. I was quite disappointed.
Back in Almeria i'd noticed in the same spot where my abscess was that it was hurting quite badly again and slightly swollen. A bit of a fright but not as bad as last time. I still took the ferry but thought i'd stay in Melilla for a while; keep off the bike and see if it would heal naturally. Thinking that the medical care would be cheaper as i'm still in the EU.
After the first day i was so bored and found nothing of interest apart from a city park. I couldn't stand the thought of staying here; so on a whim i pushed the bike across the border and into Morocco :-) (i will still rest my ass and i could actually do with some real rest)
Even before the border i saw things change quite drastically! There were many more Berbers and Arabs around; in great numbers as everyone seems to congregate in the street; selling; bartering and generally socializing. And the streets were dirtier. Actually crossing the border things changed even more. My senses were overwhelmed and everything came alive! Being a port town the streets were full of people selling just about anything and everything. Mostly huge donkey drawn carts bursting with banannas; oranges and all sorts of vegetables. And fish...oh the smell! The streets were disgusting with piles of rubbish all over the place; birds scavenging; donkeys; goats and sheep wondering around. Quite a smack in the face!
Back in Almeria i'd noticed in the same spot where my abscess was that it was hurting quite badly again and slightly swollen. A bit of a fright but not as bad as last time. I still took the ferry but thought i'd stay in Melilla for a while; keep off the bike and see if it would heal naturally. Thinking that the medical care would be cheaper as i'm still in the EU.
After the first day i was so bored and found nothing of interest apart from a city park. I couldn't stand the thought of staying here; so on a whim i pushed the bike across the border and into Morocco :-) (i will still rest my ass and i could actually do with some real rest)
Even before the border i saw things change quite drastically! There were many more Berbers and Arabs around; in great numbers as everyone seems to congregate in the street; selling; bartering and generally socializing. And the streets were dirtier. Actually crossing the border things changed even more. My senses were overwhelmed and everything came alive! Being a port town the streets were full of people selling just about anything and everything. Mostly huge donkey drawn carts bursting with banannas; oranges and all sorts of vegetables. And fish...oh the smell! The streets were disgusting with piles of rubbish all over the place; birds scavenging; donkeys; goats and sheep wondering around. Quite a smack in the face!
I ditched the idea of getting a hotel and thought camping outside this horrendous town would be a better idea. Only a few kms on the outskirts of town i came off the main road; dragged the bike across the railway tracks and down a small village road towards the coast. It was nothing pretty but a place to lay my head for the night. On the quiet street i just passed were a family; and out of peace of mind i went back and asked if it would be ok to camp on the shore. The woman said it's no problem. Then one of the men in the garden called me back and said i could camp in their street.
A group of children sat watching my every move as i set up the tent on the pavement.
A group of children sat watching my every move as i set up the tent on the pavement.
That sorted; the bloke offered me some coffee; and three of us sat out in the street with coffee and biscuits. They are a Berber family but communication was limited with my non existant Berber and Arabic; and my very limited French and Spanish. Although we managed a basic friendly conversation.
After coffee; he gestured to pick up the tent and said to camp right on his doorstep! He even took the bike in the house for safe storage. He looked at my thermarest with a look of disapproval and sent one of the boys inside who came back out with a soft decorative mat. I'm going to sleep well tonight!
Almost ready for bed; i say good night and then he comes out to my tent with a small table and stool; followed by a generously sized meal and a glass of coke. I wasn't quite expecting that.
After coffee; he gestured to pick up the tent and said to camp right on his doorstep! He even took the bike in the house for safe storage. He looked at my thermarest with a look of disapproval and sent one of the boys inside who came back out with a soft decorative mat. I'm going to sleep well tonight!
Almost ready for bed; i say good night and then he comes out to my tent with a small table and stool; followed by a generously sized meal and a glass of coke. I wasn't quite expecting that.
I have no idea what the main dish was; but with a side dish of sweet noodles and some flat bread. It was very tasty!
In the morning; same thing again. Out came the table and stool with fried eggs; bread; lots of olive oil and strong coffee.
After breakfast we said our goodbyes and i thanked them all so much for everything. Very hospitable people.
Only a few kms down the road; a guy and two boys stopped me to say hello. Welcome to Morocco; he said!!
It's only been one night; and what a warm welcome it has been!
In the morning; same thing again. Out came the table and stool with fried eggs; bread; lots of olive oil and strong coffee.
After breakfast we said our goodbyes and i thanked them all so much for everything. Very hospitable people.
Only a few kms down the road; a guy and two boys stopped me to say hello. Welcome to Morocco; he said!!
It's only been one night; and what a warm welcome it has been!