Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
soft responsiveness to my pedalling told me that I had a flat tire, my third one at the rear. I
quickly got to work and as I inserted a new tube and inflated it, the damn thing exploded.
With a small audience of local children, I took out another new tube and inserted it in the
tire. I was elated when after I pumped it up, it held. I loaded the bike and waved good-
bye to the children. The whole process took about half an hour. The time was significant
because from where I had the flat tire to exactly 30 minutes down the road, there was a
large overturned truck in the ditch with debris everywhere. This was one of those “what if
I didn't have the flat…” moments. I never looked at getting a flat tire the same way.
AsIcycledpastthedebris,theroadeventuallyledmetothecoast.Itwasapeaceful
cycle with the ocean to my right and a gentle salty breeze cutting across the road. I arrived
inCasablancaintheearlyafternoonandfoundtheSalesianparish,NotreDamedeLourdes
and met Fr. Jean Marie. At first he was a bit hesitant letting me stay but agreed for me to
sleep in the school beneath the church. I washed up, went to buy a new tire and then heard
massinthechapel.IwasinvitedtodinnerandatewiththeSalesiancommunity.Aftersome
TV viewing, I was off to bed.
My First Serious Illness
The next morning I awoke at 4:30 a.m. and grew so violently ill that when I
vomited, it was yellow (gastric juices which burned my oesophagus.) At times my throat
swelled and I couldn't catch my breath. I was shivering immensely and my whole body
ached from the convulsions. Fr. Marie brought a nurse and she said that I had a liver disor-
der.Iwasconvinceditwasfoodpoisoning.ShefilledoutaprescriptionandFr.Mariewent
out to buy it. He returned and gave me the dosage (I was too tired and disoriented to read
thedirections).Thenextcoupleofdayssawmesleepingintheirlivingroomwithwake-up
callstojointhemforameal.IsleptquitewellandeachmorningIwokeupfeelingstronger.
However, I was in no condition to cycle yet. I spent the day watching the Olympics
on TV and gathered enough energy to go for a walk. I stopped in a park and watched some
local children play. This place seemed so peaceful. It could have been Canada, England,
Spain…really anywhere. Like any other city, traffic was a problem here and the drivers
seemed to overuse their horns for no reason. Whenever someone used the horn, the sur-
rounding drivers would join in chorus, I guess for support.
I asked for directions to Marrakech in preparation for the next morning. When I ar-
rived at the cathedral, Fr. Marie was surprised to see me for he thought that I already had
left after lunch. He asked the congregation for a collection and gave me 170 dirhams. I
thanked them on behalf of STC and returned to my room to prepare for the journey south-
wards. Immediately after dinner,Iwent tobedforIwanted anearly start the next morning.
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