From Sevilla to Fes

Well, a lot has happen since my last update.
I spent a few more days in Sevilla than planned, but it was super awesome because Sole is super awesome at being a host (as is her sister Laura and Laura's boyfriend Hameid and Mitchie the youngest sister).
I have become a champion at siestas. One day I managed to fit in three, much to the suprise of everyone.
We also went to Magic Island Theme Park where I was able to go on my first rollercoaster in ages as well as a bunch of other fun rides (a drop zone style ride was the best because of the views of Sevilla and the adrenaline rush that accompanies it).
At breakfast before I left for the bus to go to Algericas I decided that carrying around my guitar was to inconvenient of a situation for the little amount I would be using it. So, just as breakfast was finishing I said to Laura and Sole, "do either of you want to learn to play guitar ?" and Laura said, "I would love to" and I said "here." The reaction on her face was awesome. A lot of disbelief. The guitar was a great one for me (sentimentally, not in reality). I had carried it through asia, back to Canada through France and into Spain. But it has now found a new home, someone is going to use it a lot, and more importantly grow some talent from it (hopefully more than mine).
Anyways, onto the bus, lots of nice countryside (and naps).
Stopped in some small city to change buses and look around before hitting up the port city of Algericas.
Nothing to see there except the harbour views of the rock of Gibralter. All I can say is, wow, the British really choose a strategic location!.
The ferry was almost empty. So lots of room to wander around and take pictures. It was really windy, and really cold.
Then the fun began, passport check.
"Oh, you are Canadian." says the guard.
"Yes."
"Do you have H1N1?"
"No, I have been in Europe and healthy since January."
"Ok, not a big problem, but you have to go through special process."

Well, the special process ended up being some nice little tests. I had to walk back and forth through this flu detector for 15 minutes because apparently I don't come up as alive (slightly annoying to see all the americans go through no problem).

"It says you aren't alive" says the doctor.
"I am pretty sure I am alive."

And after some talking he finally agreed. Unfortunately this means I missed the bus I was planning to take to Fes. But it did allow me to walk around Tangiers for a few hours which was really nice. A really international feeling city. You hear all kinds of languages and see all kinds of people. It makes sense that it was once an international city (part of no country, also very few rules, see Kerouac, Ginsberg and Burroughs).
It also only took about 2 minutes after leaving the port to be offered my first Hash. "you want to smoke?" haha.

The bus to Fes was long but a lot of fun. I arrived in Fes at 3am, showered, got into bed, just started to drift, before the 4am prayer call started. I has to smile. It is my favourite part of being in a muslim country. It is really beautiful, but it is also a little distracting when you are try to sleep.

Woke up, did my rounds in the Medina. Bought some sandals. Drank coffee. Ate Bread. Attacked the street food. Had diarhhea (but not so bad) as planned.

Dealt with lots of the faux guides which make me laugh.
"Mister!" says a 15 year old boy.
"Yes."
"Do you want to see the tanneries?"
"Yes."

5 minutes of walking.

"Just come up here"
I look up the stairs, see a shop and a maze of passages.
"No, I am okay here."
5 minutes of "come on mister"
and finally, "you are paranoid."
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because I don't fully trust you"
"Man don't be so paranoid."
"You are making me more paranoid by saying don't be paranoid."

And on it went.
I didn't get my look. I did talk to the guy at my hotel and he said I can trust these guys. So maybe tomorrow. I just need to give them 10 dinars. I gave him 5, which he didn't accept at first, he wanted 10. I said, "Ok, bye!" and suddenly the 5 was good enough.

He told me that he had never met someone like me, I laugh really loud. I don't act nervous, but that I am paranoid. I told him I am confident but cautious, and that I was sorry, but going somewhere isolated when I didn't know where I was alone is a rule I don't plan on breaking. He laughed, and went after a group of German tourists who just happened to walk by.
"Hey misters! You German? I love Germans, big and beautiful and smart and ....."

Tomorrow is Casablanca. Decided to skip Meknes, need to organize my VISA's for Mali and Mauritania in the morning so that I can head to the Western Sahara for July 1.

---

Part of trip: Spain to Nigeria and Home Again

---