Day 8 - 01/09/69 Martil

                Algeciras - Martil 01/09/69

Hot all day                                                                                  28494
                                                                                                    28459
                                                                                                          35  miles

Spent the afternoon in Algeciras. Had a meal in a back street cafefor 24 ptas and met 3 Australians Also had a beer in the main street. Met 3 Americans and "Brian Hughes" group caught up with us again and came to the same camp site.
Terrific contrast between Spain (south coast at least) and Morocco. Mo is in his element and quite at home."Charlie" showed us the way (to the camp site) although it appeared that he merely wanted a ride. Had a meal in a cafe on the pavement and Mohamed invited us to a wedding and also bought all 14 of us peanuts. The wedding was outside a beach side house, way out from the village.
Thought that we were being taken up the garden path as it seemed miles away.
A band was playing "dance" music and a young boy dressed as a girl was dancing Jan did a belly dance much to the delight of the locals, especially the women who are not allowed to dance. Local custom says only loose women dance but that does not apply to foreigners as it is accepted as progress.
The comedian made some jokes which appeared to be greatly appreciated. We were all invited in for mint tea and food - mutton on top of a large dish of some sort of wheat (like semolina) -cus-cus?. A large communal dish and eaten with a spoon. Did not like it very much but not really hungery. Walked back along the beach at 02:30.