Tangier, also called Tanger in local and other languages of the world lies in the northern most part of Morocco. Incidentally, I can see Spain from my hotel room across the Strait of Gibraltar too. Although somewhat inappropriate of him, my German colleague once lamented that while only a few miles apart, there is civilization on one side only.
Anyway, my brief stay here in Tangier has come to an end and now I am flying back to Casablanca. While here I got to know a little history of morocco. Actually while driving through the city I saw an old ‘Plaza de Toros’ – a bullring – which intrigued me because I thought of morocco being always under the French rule. Mohammed, driving the car, sensed my uneasiness and explained that many years back the northern part of morocco was under the Spanish rule and the southern part under the French. He went further without hesitating to mention that later on Moroccans ruled over a part of Spain as well!!! Morocco, by the way, is the only African country that is not currently a member of the African Union.

I am going to Tangier, some 300 Kms northwards of Casablanca. Nothing wrong except that there is no way to get a good flight connection to Tangier. You have to either take a long stop-over at Casablanca or take a really weird route which will practically take the same time more or less. Thinking the former to be the most sensible choice, I flew to Casablanca and now here I am at the airport scribbling this blog and waiting desperately for the next flight. Actually time seems to have stopped. For every half hour, the minute hand moves only ten minutes forward. This is primarily because I have nothing better to do. In other words, the airport is not very well equipped with amenities (I fail to find any power outlet to charge my laptop) to keep me busy. I am also not entitled to enter any of the lounges at present to even catch some winks. I haven’t freshened myself, I haven't shaved, and am feeling drowsy. Life couldn’t be worse. I hope this wait will soon be over and without any more surprises I can check into my hotel.

Sometimes life plays game with you and you seem to be oblivious to this fact until it’s too late. Something similar happened with me about a month back when I was told that I might have to go to morocco once more. At that time I brushed this idea away just because I didn’t want to experience the horrendous Moroccan embassy officials once again (I wrote about that experience in my previous posts). Anyway, I was at ease till last week when I was asked (read ordered) to go to morocco for a couple of weeks. Infuriated I went to the Moroccan embassy and the same shit followed – this document is missing, that document is worthless / not perfect. After umpteen hours of paper work, telephonic talks, and visits to embassy I managed to get the visa and so tomorrow I will leave for morocco. Anyway, like last time I hope to have a nice trip this time too….

The time has come and I am heading back home. After a full 90 days stay the life has come full circles. I am going back to where I was with my friends and colleagues sans the burning heat I experienced before coming here. Whilst still in the airport, I can very well smell the Paranthas – Sufi style (for those who have been to Aligarh), the irresistible Biryani and other ineffable delicacies. I can also feel the fun with my friends in home, theatres etc. Its really a nice feeling to be back home.
Anyway, since this was supposed to be the last post from Germany, I wished to write something interesting. But apparently I did not have anything worth sharing until today morning at the airport that left me bewildered. I saw a big queue at the only open check-in counter with around 25 people. Within a minute the Lufthansa officials opened the adjacent counter as well. Defying my understanding of human conduct, nobody moved. Instead, that very queue kept moving forward quickly while both the counters served the passengers. Within fifteen minutes not only were all the passengers taken care of, nobody had any beef about being served late while others had their share of pie quite early in the game – a perfect FIFO paradigm seldom seen in real life.

As soon as I finished publishing my last post, I had a terrible feeling of “what if my baggage doesn’t arrive at all? OR what if it arrives after I have left Germany?”. I barely managed to get few hours of sleep that night after not getting any response from the KLM authorities while I tried to call them till 11 pm. Next morning at around 11 am I was informed that my baggage has arrived. I felt relieved. I then intended to ask for some compensation but the very thought of nagging KLM people abated my spirits. I will, however, try to get something from my travel insurance. Till then……

Yesterday I came back from Spain, quite happy to have finally made it so far and now only three more days before returning back home. But I was in for a surprise at the airport because my baggage didn’t come along with the plane and hence I had to do without my stuff for at least a day. After reporting at the “Lost and Found” counter they promised me of having my stuff back the next morning. They also handed me their “basic overnight kit” as a goodwill gesture – something far from supporting my basic needs (I could use only their cheap toothbrush and could probably put their toiletry bag into some use). Anyway, the story isn’t over yet. Although two planes have already landed from Amsterdam, I haven’t received my baggage hitherto. After complaining them I received the usual blah blah and an assurance of getting my luggage tomorrow morning. I am hoping to get some positive news by then otherwise I would have to try something else.