Bajai Body Camp 14.12: Day 401
Hotel Continental
Thursday July 12, 2018
Tangier, Morocco
21.86% rested
Another good night's sleep here. I completely forgot about running when my eyes opened this morning. Until I remembered, and then blew it off.
The one meal experiment worked well yesterday. Cups of tea and handfuls of almonds and cashews are not meals, but it is not fasting either. It is nonetheless a mindful practice. I am aware that I am restricting calories and I am aware that at times I feel something in my belly that I've associated with hunger. However, today I'm not sure that it is hunger. It may just be thirst, as a sip of water tends to alleviate the sensation. That along with being mentally and physically occupied enough to not notice.
I made sure to have a good breakfast this morning. Three eggs, watermelon, some bread with a bit of meat in it. A slice of cheese... I didn't care for and olives when I first arrived, but have since developed a taste for. Glad they're good for me.
There's about a month until my next confirmed program, which means I can get myself acclimated to eating one meal a day, (and or additional snacks.) When in Spain, I can use super mercados and/or catch my meal before traditional dinner time.
Today, usual work. I am caught up with BBC on Steemit. I have to wash clothes... and plan my trip. Staying in Tarifa doesn't seem viable. Maybe just one night... we'll see. Maybe two nights, then a bus to Cadiz... port city. Hostels. I'll be that hostel guy.
I want to be psyched about the next place.
The water here doesn't get hot.. but it may be gone by the time I have showers. I might just ditch my pants and buy new travel cargoes... when I get to Spain. These are old friends but their time has passed.
Round one after breakfast was back to normal. Round two?? Not happening.
Gonna try and make this connect with Richard... see if he shows up on time. I can dig it if he's working... but if he's working why's he hangin with me?
There may be two meals today, because I'm hungry... or so I believe.
No Richard at the time and place. I kind of like his vibe, otherwise I would not have given him this second chance.
Universe gives us what we need and I suppose what I needed today was what I got. On the way to meet Richard I ran into this "free-range" tour guide. My first such experience was in Asilah. These guys are hustlers, but not in a necessarily evil way. They're trying to make a buck.
They will strike up a conversation, in your preferred language and start showing you around. Next thing you know you've spent the better part of an hour being guided. Then your guide hits you up for 20-50 dihram... (9.5:1 exchange rate) so you're not really out a big chunk of cash, but... for me, there's that "funny" feeling between being hustled and not wanting to leave the guy hanging.
Richard came with more of a friendship vibe, which is why the hand out, (his hand being out) kind of stung.
My cynicism has long protected (or bound) me. There have been times that taking the leap of trust has worked out. So, again, I follow the signs.
Today's encounter was a kid at the top of the steps. It started with a "hello" and questions and suggestions. "Kasbah? Tajine?"
"No." Although he may have better understood had I said, "la" which means "no."
"No problem," he said. I don't think he knows what that means. He kept going... I kept following. Until he went right... and I went left. I had to dismiss him, sternly, so he'd understand.
Then I went through the shopping maze and surprisingly found my way to the designated cafe at the agreed upon time... but no Richard. Another lap around and back. Same result.
So, back to the hotel, for tea, which I have not had, or asked for. Not sure if I will. Maybe.
This hotel is also a museum and restaurant. I forget about that at times.
I think, maybe I'll have a cup here, then go to Ali Baba... maybe have a bite. Pick up some agua... wander the beach a little. Maybe hit some dips if I make it down to Muscle Beach.
Universe may have provided that event to jolt me out of my Moroccan complacency. I'll have to be hostel guy in Spain. Portugal might be a bit more affordable, but 16 days of lodging in August, then off to Germany and Poland.
I should have enough to get across Russia, but I don't really need cash... just credit. I hope that doesn't dry up.
Here's another thing I noticed during my journey; the majority of this folksy trinket stuff that's available in these small shops, kiosks and beaches around the world, is basically the same stuff. Beads for every part of your body, bands, t-shirts, hats... It's all pretty much the same on the low end. I cannot comment on the high end of the spectrum because I'm no expert and currently have no interest.
I think the tea knocked the hunger out of me, but I never know. I may just WANT some tajine. So much for one meal today.
Tajine calling. And it was delicious!!!
I didn't exactly "regret" eating dinner. But it was filling. Of course I couldn't leave anything behind, except bread.
After, I walked along the beach down to the fitness zone. It's always been active when I've shown up. I watched the kids, the children and the youngboyz train and do their tricks. A few older guys, (but younger than me) showed up to do their thing. I was envious, but didn't join in. I told myself it was an off day. I did train yesterday and this morning. I sat in a state of amazement and wondering how much I could improve my Me, by training like these kids.
Several of them seemed to have had coaching, maybe in school, but there were a few naturals out there too.
Walk back... complete another episode. And then the shock behind my bottom teeth. I'd been missing them with the brush.
Embarrassing to reveal, but this will remind me to be more diligent. Until the next time.
I did realize tonight that I do actually have the time to maintain my body beyond building and the occasional stretching. I can... and have, because of bug bites and dry skin, been rubbing it down with coconut oil and more recently, Moroccan argan oil....which I really like. So expect more of that.
Okay, let's call it a night..ciao.