Thomas journals

The Qatar blockade began June 2017 and it continues unabated!  This is one of the stranger international conflicts in both form and substance. I recently watched a (43-minute) documentary by France24 network: Three Princes:  Princes at War in the Gulf It is an excellent, reasonably objective (though not complete--the complete story would take hours!) story about the blockade. https://youtu.be/1yOTd_G4oCo AlJazeera has now posted a shorter, hipper video about the Blockad e, as part of their new "Start Here" series of explainers.  It simplifies things, and actually does not say much about Trump, nor much about the Emirates' jealousy over the WorldCup project.  Its tone is quite calm and hopeful, deliberately Not inflaming Emirati feelings; rather presenting it all as just another misunderstanding among cousins that should soon resolve itself.  Quite restrained, actually.  Let us hope calmer heads prevail, and the Saudis can just quietly let this go -- first,

Travel within Rabat and Morocco in general, as of late 2019: Rabat : tramway is the best way to travel within Rabat if possible: each direction ticket costs 6dirhams.  Purchase the tickets at any stop: vending machines usually work, and usually offer English display; some accept bills, but sometimes only accept coins.  During rush hour times there is usually a small booth manned by a ticket-seller. Note that there are 2 different lines, which coincide in central Hassan.  (line2 is under construction in Salé, being extended toward the airpor!).   There are city buses, but their operation is not apparent on any western-language website or sign. Taxi : in major cities, petits taxis are little blue cars that operate ONLY within city limits, and often pick up other passengers going the same direction -- thus when you flag down a taxi, the driver will stop and want to know your destination before agreeing to take you there.  However, once in, they are usually consistent about runni

While Barbara was away visiting her parents, I decided to visit Ceuta -- I had long been curious about this tiny peninsular enclave of Spain, and figured I could brave the travel alone to see whether it would be attractive for a longer visit with my spouse.  The short answer: probably. I also decided to take different routes to and from, in order to check those as well. I took the fast-train to Tangier (oh, first taking the tram to IbnSina, then walking a long way to Rabat Agdal station -- too long to walk if you have any bags...better to take the tram to AvenueDeFrance stop and catch a petit-taxi to RabatAgdal station from there) I purchased a ticket to Tétouan: after the quick 100-minute train ride (second-class seats are perfectly fine), a nice bus waits on the side near the taxi stand (completely unmarked--you just "know"). The train ticket has reserved seating on both train and bus. I asked the bus driver about getting a share-taxi from Tétouan to Sebta -- when we a