12 hrs, 15.7 kms

Day Totals: 16 hrs, 25 .7 kms



And so the long stretch of barren, flat wasteland begins. Up ahead the Toundoute oasis looks deceptively close, but I no better. I try to keep track of the distance by counting how many minutes it takes a truck to reach the next bend, which I calculate at being some 3 kilometers away.

Despite it being flat, the road does a big loop—I guess to avoid the super-wide dry riverbed. It looks like I could shave off a couple kilometres if I just walk straight across the rocky terrain… but is it worth it. Finally I spot a dirt path to the side and I decide to follow it… but the path veers off and I find myself picking my way through ankle killing rocks. But on the bright side, it's a completely different feel to walk through a desolate, un-trailed wasteland and walking alongside a road. Let’s just enjoy the experience.

The problem is, I’m just really not feeling to well today, and as the sun gets hotter, it starts to really wear me out . Finally I reach the road again, but little relief. After passing a boring little village of boxy houses, I decide to count Tifrit a town, and duck into a small orchard to take a rest, and play another little concert, before trudging on to the finish line.

Exhaustion starts to set in as Toundoute simply refuses to get any closer. I even wonder if I should just call it quits… but I just can’t… not when I’m so close to my goal. Finally I drag myself to the bustling market area of Toundoute and immediately get on a collective taxi back to Skoura, not even taking a minute to celebrate my victory.

Another "Final Destination" Moment

 

Physically I’m feeling pretty miserable as I ride the bus back across the mountains towards Casablanca, but psychologically I’m feeling quite satisfied—although I’m wondering if I’m going to want to do any more of those across the open desert hikes . And then something happens that puts a bizarre finishing touch on my adventure.

Remember the crazy guy that kept rushing towards the driver on the way up the mountains two days ago? The rickety van full of gas tanks? Well, on my way back I have another scene from the “Final Destination” movie to top them all.

We get off the bus for our supper break in a village up in the mountains. I’m feeling pretty woozy and not really paying attention when I hear people yelling. A big truck is backing up right behind me… it’s not stopping… it’s—crashing right into a shop!

And what is the truck carrying? It’s loaded with re-bar, which is poking out the back of the truck which means… whoever is back there probably just died a very gory death by impalement.

People rush to the cab to drag out the murderous driver—but… there’s no one there.

Looks like a simple case of forgetting to use the emergency brake… gone horribly wrong .



Finally the bashful driver appears, gets in and drives forward. I quickly try to brace myself for what I’m about to see…

Yes, there are people back there. No, they haven’t been impaled by the re-bar. They all managed to escape by jumping over crates of fruit to the interior of the shop. Just the edge of the entrance was smashed when the truck crashed into it.

Then it hits me: “I was just there 2 seconds before the crash.”

Sheesh… talk about a “Final Destination” moment… death can’t get much more gory than that.

But I’m not going to ponder on the significance of that too much. Some might interpret this as a “sign” of divine protection… others as a “sign” that maybe I’m doing something I’m not supposed to. I just interpret as a reminder that I live on a bizarre, unpredictable planet where really weird stuff can happen at any moment . But I figure I can enjoy this short life better by not constantly reminding myself that death could happen at any moment.

Let’s head home and spend a week just living “ordinary life”. That’s all I want right now.