Dag 79: Tangier na Seville, Spanje

(English Translation Below)

Dag 79: Tangier na Seville, Spanje
 
Die veerboot staan gereed. Ons wag saam met ses of sewe karre om aanboord te gaan. Die dag breek in rooi en oranje hier rondom ons. Dan beduie 'n man met 'n heldergeel weerkaatsende oorpak dat ons kan kom. Die staal oprit is gereed. Ons wiele verlaat Afrika en neem ons die buik van die veerboot binne. Manne staan reg om vas te bind. Beduie ons kan ontspan, koffie gaan kry bo in die boot - hulle hande is veilig.
 
Dis 'n vreemde ervaring om Afrika en Europa so naby aan mekaar te sien. Die Straat van Gibraltar is maar 13km breed. Die ou kontinent en die donker kontinent. Geskei deur slegs  'n skraal stukkie see en tog onlosmaaklik aan mekaar verbind.  Die son skuif hoër en baai beide stukke aarde nou in goud en oranje. Bevestig dat ons beide hierdie wêrelde binne ons saamdra. Ons het maar slegs 'n dun sliert Afrika met ons eie lywe beleef. Te min om oor te spog, genoeg om te weet hoe min ons weet.
 
Dan ry ons Spanje binne. Die grenspos verloop glad. Ons stop om petrol te kry. Hier's nie petroljoggies soos in Afrika nie. Jy gooi self jou petrol in. Loop dan na die winkeltjie toe om te betaal. Met 'n kaart.
 
Die teerpad Seville toe kronkel eers langs die see, Gibraltar se rigting, en draai dan die binneland in. Die lug is koel maar die son skyn. Perfekte motorfietsweer.
 
Ons kry môre in Seville die Cardo interkomtoestelletjie om myne te vervang wat gebreek het. Dis bietjie mosterd ná die maal, want môre is ons laaste dag as deel van ons formele toer. Daarná kan dit dalk nog handig wees as ons moet Milan of Rotterdam toe ry om die motorfietse se terugvervoer uit te sorteer. Maar sover lyk die kanse goed dat ons die fietse sommer in Madrid verkoop sal kry.
 
Seville is pragtig. Kanovaarders oefen op die rivier. Oumense stap met hulle honde. Fikses op rolskaatse. 'n Spesiale paadjie vir fietse langs die karre-pad. Mense om tafeltjies met wyn en Sondag middagete. Vrouens ook. Sonder kopdoeke.
 
Elke kultuur het sy skadu-kant. Maar elke kultuur het ook baie om op trots te wees.
 
Day 79: Tangier to Seville, Spain
 
The ferry is ready. We wait with six or seven cars to board. The day breaks in red and orange around us. Then a man in a bright yellow reflective suit signals that we can come. The steel ramp is ready. Our wheels leave Africa and take us into the belly of the ferry. Men standing ready to tie down the bikes. They tell us to relax, go get coffee upstairs in the boat - their hands are safe.
 
It's a strange experience to see Africa and Europe so close to each other. The Strait of Gibraltar is only 13km wide. The old continent and the dark continent. Separated by only a narrow stretch of sea and yet inseparably interconnected. The sun rises higher, bathing both pieces of land in gold and orange. Confirming that we carry both these worlds within us. We have only experienced a very thin slither of Africa with our own bodies. Too little to brag about, enough to know how little we know.
 
Then we enter Spain. The border post goes smoothly. We stop to get petrol. There are no petrol attendants like in Africa. You fill your own tank. Then you walk to the little shop to pay. With a card.
 
The asphalt road to Seville winds first along the sea, in the direction of Gibraltar, and then turns inland. The air is cool but the sun shines. Perfect motorcycling weather.
 
Tomorrow in Seville, we'll get the Cardo intercom device to replace mine that broke. It's a bit late in the game since tomorrow is our last day as part of our formal tour. After that, it might still be useful if we have to ride to Milan or Rotterdam to sort out the return transport of the motorcycles. But so far, the chances look good that we'll be able to sell the bikes in Madrid.
 
Seville is beautiful. Canoeists practice on the river. Old people walk their dogs. Fit ones on rollerblades. A special lane for bicycles alongside the car road. People at tables with wine and Sunday lunch. Women too. Without headscarves.
 
Every culture has its shadow side. But every culture also has much to be proud of.

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