Drove to the nearest Carrefour first this morning – that’s the day gone then! 🙄
The shopping malarkey is such a pain as nearly all the Carrefours seem to be inside a huge mall. Underground parking at this one – no good to us! The attendant pointed us in the direction of some rough wasteland next door. Getting into it was like an off road adventure in itself. Huge boulders to get over, then a giant puddle the size of a lake. Not much chance of trolley to van!
Once inside, the supermarket is hidden somewhere on the lower level, then once inside that, the sectioned off ‘cave’ for wine is hidden round the back of the bread counter.
Good job we didn’t need drinking water today as I don’t think we could have carried that as well!
Went a bit further down the road for diesel, then realised we had to cut across country to get back on to our route – rubbish road following a canal.
Some debate last night as to where we should head for next. Guy was keen to go south to do this mountain pass that we had missed, but seemed like going around in circles to me. It was so very hot this morning though, that mountain air suddenly seemed more appealing.
Once on the Tizi n’ Tichka route, we hit schools turning out time which means the roads are chock a block with young people on bikes showing off, or walking in the middle of the road. They all think they’re invincible.
Reality kicked in a mile up the road as we passed by a fatal accident. Bike versus coach. I think the body had just been covered up and loads of distressed school children had just witnessed it. Made us feel quite sick but this must be happening several times a day throughout Morocco.
Stopped for lunch about an hour later and got surrounded by younger children, also coming from school. Eventually they came to the door..
“Dinah?”, “Euro”, “bon-bon”? “cadeau?”
It’s the reverse of the UK – don’t take sweets from strangers.
There’s some strangers – ask them for sweets!
The ‘pulse-racing, spectacular piece of engineering’ that is the Tizi n’ Tichka pass (2260m) felt like a bit of an anti-climax.
The road is really good and safe, and yes, there are many bends, but the scenery seemed a bit drab compared to other roads we’ve driven in Morocco.
At the top, there were the usual, obligatory stalls selling all sorts of stuff, but mainly rocks with rose quartz in. These people don’t know when to give up unfortunately. We have no shelves and not many window cills!
We drove back down a bit to prevent any more steam coming out of Guy’s ears, parked up in a lay-by opposite more sales men. Just having dinner, and guess what? There’s a fight!
Stuff got knocked over, a lot of shouting, but eventually someone sorted them out. These men were well into their 50’s but going at it hammer and tongue.
To cap it all, a mini bus pulls in and a woman gets out to throw up.
Do I want this chilli? 🤢
Behind us, two women are on their knees praying in the middle of a field.
The man at the coffee stand is keeping his head down – just a normal day for him!
Thought about moving, but it’s a long way back down the pass, and one party has gone home so should be ok now.
Oh here come the stray dogs…
