The scenic route

The 10 hour train ride to Madrid was bearable as I was asleep half the time. The other half was spent pondering why my bed was creaking when I wasn't moving, how many of the train's parts were loose from all the jostling, and questioning if I could nudge my neighbors or just wait for them to naturally stop snoring.

The 6 hour layover in Madrid was fantastic. Large parks and treelined streets always get me. Plus the Bull Fighting arena...so cool. Didn't get to do a tour inside but the photo exhibit got me hooked. Definitely have to attend an event when I make it back here.

Overnight in Algiceris was entertaining. The tapas tasteful, the company likeminded, and having a room with a TV to myself: blissful. But the town is a port town and just a port town.

A 45 minute bus ride the next morning led me to paradise at first site in Tarifa. After 5 minutes of laying on that wonderfully scenic beach I realized why I was the only one "enjoying" it. There's a reason it's known as a windsurfer's paradise....felt like I was being rubbed down by sandpaper, 500 grain. On the bright side my skin was silky smooth ;) The rest of the town and views WAS paradise, should've spent a night there.

The 35 minute high speed ferry to Tangier, Morocco has nothing on the ferries in the Puget Sound. It only had one outdoor balcony, and it was for the smokers in the back. So not worth the €37.

My first steps in Africa were interesting. I'm still not sure if I was being conned or how I was being conned but something wasn't right. These "tourism" officials in street clothes and hidden badges (homemade?) were trying to escort me to the bank and a taxi, but they were also giving me very useful tips. Don't know what was up...or down, but it took me 30 minutes to lose them. As for the rest of Tangier, it feels like they're trying to reinvent their image with lots of new construction, but you can't change the people. The sad thing is it's the initial rush of constant pestering that turns you off. Once you get past them everyone is so friendly, but by then you're skeptical of everything.

The overnight Marrakech train was much older and smaller than the one from Madrid, but I slept so much more soundly. Not only was the train more sturdy, but in my compartment was a tour operator owner. I told him my of my travels and why I came to Morocco so he wrote me a travel itinerary so that I could explore the country without a guide that included 2 nights with the berbers, Fez and Casablanca using public transportation. Peace of mind really does makes a difference with sleep.