Drunk and crazy around Málaga.
>Day 1
We barely made it. Running up and down along the southern coast from Caños to Tarifa to take a ferry that will take us to Tánger. We finally arrived and embarked just before the close the boat gates.
Nice boat ride to Africa. We enjoy our lasts beers in what will be a trip with a complete change in consumption. We're allowed a few bottles though, so we bring with us some Absynth, Rum, Vodka and Jagger.
Arrival. The first they say to me is, while I'm driving the car out of the ferry, "go, go man, don't wait, this is Africa!". And so it was. Tonto el último. Welcome to the chaotic traffic of any SEA town, but this time with asphalt and huge roundabouts.
I manage to take the car safely to a cash machine without a scratch.
We take some dirhams out and drive again towards Chefchaouen. A big rest to drive out of the city.
We put some petrol, cheap but not as cheap as expected.
We stop near Tetouan in a road lamb restaurant. A huge venue with tasty meat, olives and salad. Our first taste of Moroccan cuisine. 4 of us full for 180 Dh.
Back on the road. Now is dawning and an amazing full moon salutes us. The road starts getting more curvy and the driving more aggressive. Now Abduki is driving, here's from Oman, so he's used to this stuff.
We arrive at night and head straight to the medina. The town is still busy. Crazy guys and young fellows approach us for different reasons.
We park and go to find a guest-house. The nice one Juan knew about was really pretty, "La Castellana". We find the guy praying so we let me finish. There's a room for 4 free, at 75 Dh each but there's a problem here. Apparently there's a law in Morocco that doesn't let some combinations inside the same room, like an unmarried couple, or in our case, one muslim with "christians". With a little help from some locals we find another one that will take us, "Souika". But this one is not as pretty but almost same price 70 Dh each. We get a top floor room with beds and door, very hot inside. Keeping everything open will help to sooth the sauna conditions. Everyone else in that floor is whether sleeping on the floor with a mattress and no roof or in separate compartments filled with rugs and cushions for just 40 Dh. Better and cheaper.
That first night we go out to meet some locals. On the way back the streets of the medina are empty.
>Day 2
Next morning we wake up late and go to have to some nice orange juice near the main square and soon after to find a proper place to eat, away from the tourist nucleus, but not really far. We eat a traditional menu: Salad, Tajin (meat/couscous/vegs) and fruit for 40Dh. On the square is 55 Dh.
Here comes our walking trip around the medina, at peak time, on a sunday. Streets bustling with life. We manage to make our way to Talassemetane a small river flowing around the medina on the mountain side. Everyone is cooling out in here. Kids bathing, moroccan tourist watching a peacock spectacle, people smoking under the bridges and everyone relaxing and having some rest from the excruciating sun that hits you in August.
Here, under a fig tree, listen to the water run and kids play, time stops, I find peace.
Locals are much friendlier here, like if a blessing is upon all of us.
The way back is as hectic as before, but with a rested spirit everything seems more bearable.
We find our way into the evening and get some merienda: fresh cheese, different kinds of olives and huge thick and spongy pitas. 25 Dh and still have some left for breakfast.
This night we take a walk out of the medina to take a closer look at the idiosyncrasy of an evening around here.
We see some stalls and finally get into a local restaurant. Meat is at 2.5 Dh per piece and deep fried aubergine and spiced balls of mashed potato for 1 Dh each. There was also soup for 4 Dh. My friends took a mix of all the elements, I was more than full with 3 aubergines and 2 potato thingies.
Then I bought the most expensive thing till then, a 1L bottle of yummy apple soda for 9 Dh.
After coming back to the main square a friendly young local invited me to his terrace. After a little stroll we found ourselves in front of a coluorfull and scented shop. After 10 minutes I came out with a pumice stone, a couple of soaps and a little piece of solid purple perfume.
Went back to the guy's terrace and we all shared a glass of average tea overlooking Uta el-Hammam square.
Back in the guest house there was a noisy gathering by the terrace. Caught some reading and fell asleep.
>Day 3
We wake up a little later than expected, but some of our dreams were well worth it.
After we get ready, I manage to get some figs on the way out of the medina and go to pack the car.
The day feels extra hot. And maybe is extra hot. Our car is just by the taxi stop and ......
*Vocabulary for the chapter:
Saha - enjoy
Sahten wa aafia - enjoy back to you double ;)
Lmaa/Mai - water
Lou samaht - please
Smahali - excuse me
Ma salama - see you
Shukran - thanks
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