On Thursday, October 2nd, I got up at 6:30am. Not to go climbing, or go to work, or to clean up cat puke…I was on my way to the land of spices, the Sahara, and one of the best sport climbing crags in the world. The Todra Gorge is several hundred meters high limestone peppered with bolts!
As a way to celebrate our significant birthdays (mine 30th and Barry’s 50th), we decided on a trip to the exotic and overwhelming jewel of Africa. I was thrilled to the core to be going there, and also relieved that my intrepid brother, Jon, agreed to tag along…as having family along is always a good idea in 3rd world countries!
At the Denver Airport, I went through security and (of course) was stopped because of the “Tools” in my backpack. The security personnel here in Denver *surprisingly* did not know what climbing pro looked like, and they wanted me to ship my “tools”. So after a demonstration with my #1 BD cam, and a bit of explanation, and a “supervisor” who was “in the know”, they let me through. Oh, dear, what a way to start our trip!
The flight to JFK was full, but luckily I was sitting next to another girl who was sleepy. We both drifted in and out of consciousness. The flight was as smooth, and I woke up when we made contact with the terminal.
Jon met me at the entrance to the international terminal. I was extremely happy to see him, and hear that he & Barry made it okay. Looks like we would be scooting along to Morocco on time…..
….OR…..
We’d be spending the night at the local Holiday Inn with three hundred befuddled Morocs.
I wish I could say it was the former, but the truth of the matter is that our PLANE was still in MOROCCO!!! It hadn’t left yet. It was 13 hours late (in the end!). So, we lost a day of travel. What a bummer, on an already short vacation, to lose a day.
At least we were together, and we were given food & restaurant vouchers. Barry didn’t know it at the time, but his Beer on Thursday night at the hotel restaurant would be his only beer for ~4 days… 8^)