March 2025 I rented a Peugeot car in Asilah ( $45 Cdn ) to go the 49 klms to an ancient ruin near Larache, Morocco. This cars dash tells you the current speed limit and the gear you are in. There is no mileage limit on the rental. It was a standard transmission and I had all the confidence to know how to drive it although it had been many years since operating a manual car. The person renting me the car had to come and help me get into first gear - I was not fully engaging the clutch.... On the 80 klm highway south I was stopped twice by a police check and upon learning I was Canadian said "we welcome you" and sent along. I did express that I loved their country. The country side was quite pretty and very green and google maps got me to Linux site in 45 minutes. But to park I had to get into reverse... Could not find the gear shift selection to get into reverse. Once again, here in Morocco, a nice guy stopped and sorted out the extra step to move into reverse. And we did not share a language.
There is a lovely, recently constructed, museum that exhibits in Arabic and French. So I looked at pictures. As with many places in Morocco, Hercules was said to complete a task at this city. I was just exchanted with this Archeological dig site and the surroundings.
It is truly amazing how this historic site from the
6th century BC is still visible. The site continues 80 metres up hill but it seemed higher.
There is a tall wall that protected the Palace that is still standing. It is very impressive and as a Canadian there is little chance to visit this kind of history. There had been thermal baths and an amphitheater constructed during the Roman Empire times that ended in the
5th century AD.
Recently, human footprints dated 90,000 years old have been found near the site.
The city of Larache (134,000 population) is very spread out. I accidently ended up driving through the market - which is chaotic - and stalled the car.
It took a few u turns to get to the large grocery store called Marjane. I found things like tortilla chips and canned tuna, hummus, instand noodles (curry flavour) and quiche. The range of groceries in Asilah is rather limited. Heading back I got on a toll road. Like in the USA, you take a ticket entering and then pay for distance when leaving the highway - 14 Dirham for me equals $2 Cdn. The highway is 120 maximum and I followed the lead of other drivers well into the 130 klm range. There is absolutely no tolerance for people driving slower than the maximum in the left lane. And again I conformed to this custom. Driving a stick is FUN. The sun was setting on the drive back and it was very pretty. As I did not have the patience to find a restaurant in Larache, I drove into Asilah and got a traditional Ramadan meal at my new favourite local on the boardwalk - Le 32. Back to my bnb at 9:30 - likely the latest night I have had here.
I am loving the geography and people of Morocco but I wish I didn't miss my family and friends so much.
------------ This is the price of love
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