April 15/19 Ceuta, Spanish Africa

Wow - we are actually on African soil! Ceuta is technically Spanish but on African lands and surrounded by Morocco. On our bus tour we went up two of the seven hills that Ceuta is built upon, where we could see different views. From both vantage points we could see the Rock of Gibraltar and of course the Strait of Gilbraltar. Ceuta has a strong military background, because whoever had control of it also had control of the Strait. Our guide was a very interesting story teller. One sad story he told was the fact that people, especially children, hide under the tour buses when they are leaving Ceuta to return to the Spanish mainland after the tourist season is finished. And lots have drowned trying to get across the Strait in flimsy toy boats. Although the distance isn’t far, the currents can get pretty rough. Apparently the people feel that if they can get to the mainland of Spain, then the door is open for them to get to Europe, and therefore have more opportunities.

In the city centre we saw the government buildings at the Plaza de Africa, as well as inside the quite ornate Nuestra Senora de Africa Church. We also saw the outside of San Antonio Hermitage, a typically Spanish Monastic Chapel where young girls pray for a husband! From one hill we could see the town of Belyounech, Morocco. Apparently some of it’s brightly coloured buildings are built into a cave in the hill behind them! The buildings are slightly more colourful than the ones in Cadiz, so one could assume that it doesn’t get quite as hot here. However it was 21 degrees today (in mid April) and during the last few winters temperatures have gone as high as 27 degrees!

There are four main religions here - Catholic, Jewish, Hindu and Muslim, with the first being predominant. There was a movement to abolish religion in schools, but I don’t know if it was successful.

Tonight’s entertainer was Helen Wilding, a British singer who has trained in several vocal styles and performed for the Royal family. She’s very good, but not really our cup of tea.

Before the show I actually had the energy to ride on the exercise bike for the first time on this trip. My feet are getting a workout too, and while they are tender, nothing has broken yet! I realize that I have a long ways to go to make up for months of not walking, but it’s very freeing to be able to do a bit of it again!