Day 60 - Cycling shin deep in sewage

Trip Start Jul 15, 2009
1
57
Trip End Sep 17, 2009


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Where I stayed
Another cheap hotel
(Settat hotels)

Flag of Morocco  , Chaouia-Ouardigha,
Friday, September 11, 2009

Our first problem was before we had even left the hostel this time because the lock we had used to lock our bikes together had corroded and was impossible to unlock. Me and Alex left Olly to deal with the situation whilst we explored Cassablanca in search of food. Cassablancca is by far the biggest city we have seen in Morocco. It seems so out of place with its posh hotels and high rise buildings. We had to go on an absolute mission in order to find a shop that was open but when we returned we found that Olly had recruited a friendly Morocan guy from the hotel to help us get the bikes apart. Within minutes and only using wire cutters he had the lock broken. I didnt ask where he aquired this special set of skills but i have to say he was an absolute legend fro bailing us out of that situation.

Shortly after we got on the road we where faced with our second problem. We were lost and it was still raining from the previous day. After going 6 miles down the wrong road and crossing a river of sewage we had to turn around to cross this shitty river for the second time. I cant tell you how disgusting it was. You could see the manhole cover had exploded offf due to the pressure and there was two feet high of sewage gushing out of it. As we cycled through it the sewage was half way up my shins and my trainers were constantly submerged. The worst part about all of this that you have to cycle a further 60 miles and you arent even sure that you will find a shower.

As we cycled back into town we decided to ask more people for directions but it was almost impossible to get out (imagine trying to find your way rthrough London by asking people). but then something awesome happened. We asked some community service workers for directions and they jumped in their dust cart and said follow me. We followed them fro about 15 to 20 minutes to the outskirts and finally we were on the right road. But then i got another puncture. Not what you need. Starting to get really annoyed. Then my wheel started to rub on the frame and i kept having to stop and adjust it. Starting to get really pissed off with the cycling at this point. Nothing is ever straight froward. Then Alex got a puncture. Whilst he was starting to flip out aswel someone in a truck pulled over and asked us if we needed a lift into the town with the bikes. Awesome generous offer. Certainly a little bit uplifting.

We stopped in the next town and got a cheap hotel which had hot showers (first time in Morocco). This was more than enough to have everyone completely happy. I never thought that something as small as being able to clean sewage of my self would make me that happy.

We then wandered into the medina looking for something to eat. Someone was trying to sell a goats head.....

Also I would just like to point out that they love to haggle at the markets here and up until now i have been completely done over by them. However this time i went to buy a brush and they said it was 8 dirham (70p). Then I said 6 dirham. then they replied with an honest 7 dirham. Then i landed the final play of 5 dirham (I know it doesnt make sense but i was tired). Then they were like, Ok. So i got it for 5, well confusing.
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