After nearly four days straight on the road (and sea) from Marrakech, Morocco, I have successfully hitchhiked back to the Casa in Amsterdam.
My route:
Wednesday-- Left Marrakech in the afternoon, wound up getting stuck in Rabat by night, spontaneously hosted by a boy I met in the streets in the Ville Nouvelle, who wound up living in a "very modest" but very kind little cement block home in Salé AND, coincidentally, being a mutual friend of my friend Mounir, from Marrakech.
Thursday-- Left Salé in the morning by a small route nacional which took me to the highway, on and off, picked up by many Moroccans who confused me for a Moroccan girl, and I wound up having to speak my limited Arabic to get by, as none of them could speak any French. Later, I was picked up by a very friendly Spaniard working for an NGO in Tetouan and still afterwards, I found myself getting blown off the road by hardcore winds in Assilah while walking along the impressive coastline... And getting a ride straight to the entrance to the port in Tanger, where I promptly met a Spanish truck driver who agreed to take me onto the ferry for free. After waiting many long hours in a line that went nowhere, in a truck that wasn't moving, we got through security and customs and loaded onto the ferry just as the sun was setting.
Friday started just as we were exiting the ferry in Algeciras. I'm lucky that my driver was one of only two to complete all of the necessary paperwork while onboard to ensure that we'd be able to leave the port before it officially closes for the night. We continued onward toward Granada. He eventually left me somewhere near Alicante not long after the sun had risen. Perfect.
The next rides were shorter, from Spaniards who normally don't take hitchhikers but are nevertheless happy to have me onboard with them and chat me up for some hours as we move slowly up the coast toward Barcelona. Near the border of France, at the very last service station in Spain, I met a Dutch driver and magically convinced him to take me, despite his initial nervousness...He was driving medical supplies for his father's company and normally doesn't take hitchhikers, but he quickly warmed up and was by far the luckiest and longest ride I've ever had. He dropped me at the door to Casa Robino on early Saturday evening around 17h30, after much music, conversation, and radically changing weather conditions throughout our long journey.
I actually made it here much quicker than I originally had thought was possible. This is proof that anything IS possible.
amylin
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P.S. Why am I "access denied" when i want to edit the fact that my name is misspelled under "current hosts"?
Comments
It's Meant to Be
In fact, I've known her for a year thru the 'net.
I look at it as an investment in the future. Amylin needs to have a working camera with her. To document her incredible life. It's a contribution to the world that she would share her adventures.
By the way, looks like you've been cooking up a storm, Amylin!
I hope you all had a delicious thanksgiving at Casa Robino! ...even if its just an american holiday.
best,
Andrew
I wrote this just as I
I wrote this just as I arrived at the Casa; it's about the hitch-trip, not the first few hours in the Casa. It's my umpteenth time here, and everyone here already knows I love them; I don't have to repeat it.
If you'll let me make
If you'll let me make suggestions, what is missing form this post is more detail of your experience at Casa Robino itself. The conversation, the connection with people who understand what your doing and dont think your crazy or taking foolish risks. The sentiment that reflects why this transient house with different people everytime you visit can actually feel stable and like home.
And i would post (if i were you) that you got this fab camera from someone you only slightly know and how appreciative youare about it and how it will improve the graphical quality of the blog.
if you dont want these types of suggestions, i will back off.