During one of his concerts Harry Chapin said of Watertown New York, he spent a week there one afternoon. I always took this to mean time dragged. This trip was completely the opposite - 2 weeks tripping around in North Africa was like a month of adventure and somewhat unreal. While life carried on at home, I learned about a centuries old country and it's people. The desert heat will carry on but at home we're headed for snow.
I'm so glad I did the trip. I saw things I didn't think I would ever see and met wonderful traveling companions. I'll definitely do something like this again!
There are too many things to record in a blog but the following snippets will stay with me:
-This was a very diverse group (10 travelers and guide) with way more travel experience than me.
-Our fluent languages:
Spanish
English
French
Arabic
Dutch
Cantonese
Tamil
Mandarin
Portugese
German
-Our 'get-by' languages:
Swahili
Malay
Japanese
Italian
Turkish
-I also found for our multi-fluent friends, mixing chinese, spanish and english often makes more sense when the right word can't be found in either language.
- Pink soap and matching toilet paper definitely do not mean soft. When the soap doesn't feel like its getting wet, let alone lather, then the toilet paper does not bode well.
- Bridesmaid dress coloured table cloths are very popular.
- Disco on the bus - complete with multi-coloured lights flashing- was fantastic! Khaled's "On va s'aimer, On va dancer, We c'est la vie, La la la la la" is perfect for travelling!
- Peter, our bank manager for tipping and taking care of group water purchases, did a wonderful job.
- Exodus Tours had a group of people who cycled 80 km on Oct 21 in an exceptionally mountainous area. Pictures attached. This was the company I cycled with in France - biggest hill there was the one leading up to a winery. Way more motivation to make it!
- Wow! We drank 18 1.5 L of water everyday until Tuesday when we hit the coast and cooler (everything is relevant) weather.
- Walking barefoot in the Sahara sand was very cool in so many ways and, just like at our beaches, the top is hot and underneath a few inches, it's cool on the toes.
- Mohamed did his best to give us language lessons on the bus. I forgot almost everyday!
- Africa - America!! Rashid's challenge to Peter at every opportunity. Pushups on the side of a highway was a hoot! Picture attached
- Tagine is a great meal except for the version with potatoes and carrots which we had constantly for a number of days.
- Tagine is the best word for getting people to smile for a camera shot
There are too many things to record in a blog but the following snippets will stay with me:
-This was a very diverse group (10 travelers and guide) with way more travel experience than me.
-Our fluent languages:
Spanish
English
French
Arabic
Dutch
Cantonese
Tamil
Mandarin
Portugese
German
-Our 'get-by' languages:
Swahili
Malay
Japanese
Italian
Turkish
-I also found for our multi-fluent friends, mixing chinese, spanish and english often makes more sense when the right word can't be found in either language.
- Pink soap and matching toilet paper definitely do not mean soft. When the soap doesn't feel like its getting wet, let alone lather, then the toilet paper does not bode well.
- Bridesmaid dress coloured table cloths are very popular.
- Disco on the bus - complete with multi-coloured lights flashing- was fantastic! Khaled's "On va s'aimer, On va dancer, We c'est la vie, La la la la la" is perfect for travelling!
- Peter, our bank manager for tipping and taking care of group water purchases, did a wonderful job.
- Exodus Tours had a group of people who cycled 80 km on Oct 21 in an exceptionally mountainous area. Pictures attached. This was the company I cycled with in France - biggest hill there was the one leading up to a winery. Way more motivation to make it!
- Wow! We drank 18 1.5 L of water everyday until Tuesday when we hit the coast and cooler (everything is relevant) weather.
- Walking barefoot in the Sahara sand was very cool in so many ways and, just like at our beaches, the top is hot and underneath a few inches, it's cool on the toes.
- Mohamed did his best to give us language lessons on the bus. I forgot almost everyday!
- Africa - America!! Rashid's challenge to Peter at every opportunity. Pushups on the side of a highway was a hoot! Picture attached
- Tagine is a great meal except for the version with potatoes and carrots which we had constantly for a number of days.
- Tagine is the best word for getting people to smile for a camera shot
- Biggest worry at some rural stops (breaks) in days travel was not falling into the toilet! Picture attached
- Getting goosed by agoat herder wasn't what I had in mind when I booked this trip! Picture attached
-Friends are great on the road. Traveling with Shirene was perfect! Picture attached.
Yes you are correct when you say you are traveling home to snow.........what an adventure this has been for you. All those goats in the trees; something one does not see everyday. Let alone the experience with the goat herder...made me laugh as I pictured what your response would have been that you did not post. Appreciate your blog to participate somewhat in your journey. xo
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