Woke today and tidied up before going to breakfast to say goodbye to most of the group. We were thinking there has not really been any illness to speak of colds wise spread around- apart from one man who coughed on me all yesterday morning in the bus without covering his mouth and I have woken with a really sore throat :-( But no-one at all stunk the bus out this tour either which was great, makes you realise just how disgusting that man on the Britain tour was- all day every day!
Anyhow, we walked around the city for a bit today with the others, wish weight and space wasnt an issue, cos we could buy some amazing stuff here in the way of brass teapots, carpets and large wooden carved wall hangings that have doors which open to show a mirror inside- sigh....
One thing I will not miss is the way the Moroccan men so openly stare at your boobs or legs if there is ANY inch showing, they even do it right in front of Graeme whether they are close up or far away!!! Guess they dont see any with the modesty of the muslim women, but its a little over the top when you scratch your side and catch them gorking with their eyeballs hanging out!!!
Left the Sheraton for the last time (the metal detector in the lobby madly going off all the time and no-one doing anything??!!) and caught a taxi to Mohammed V airport. As you drive along it is amazing to see the mix of old and new, people pulling carts or with donkeys, alongside mercedes and high rise buildings!
At the airport it was hot and chaotic this time on the departures side. It has huge security, akin to NZ and Oz and everything is done very slowly at each of the 6 checkponts they had. Was glad we had left a bit early so could go with the flow. Inside it is like a huge glasshouse but after a bit of sweating we found a much cooler area out the back to wait for our plane. Graeme still isnt really eating but isnt unhappy with it so we just bought a cheese sandwich as still no veges, salad or tap water allowed.
We were lucky for the first time to have a spare seat next to us on the plane and we were in the front row, which was a real plus with no-one in business class it made it quick to get off. I have clicked to ask for seats at the front each flight as Graeme finds it a lot quieter in front of the engines. A 2 hour flight and we are in Barcelona- it really isnt far to anywhere in europe compared to NZ.
We caught the aerobus from the airport to the famous Las Ramblas area where we are staying this time. The driver was an absolute moron and wouldnt speak to us about the stop we needed then stopped the bus at a square and said that was the end of the line, but we knew we were in the right area.
Have to be careful as the city is reknown for its pickpocket and people hassling you when you have luggage etc. A group of young negro guys did watch us crossing the road and walking, but we just walked faster and looked like we knew where we were going with all our bags in the dark! Stopped and asked a nice couple of ladies, ome of whom spoke english and they pointed us the right way. Only 5 mins to our hotel which is very contemporary and nice.
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