Last Day of Work

Barely a handful of wide eyed tourists ventured off the ferry in Tangier. Hustlers outnumbered them 5 to 1. They formed a series of roadblocks, checkpoints, husslescruffles, and scarestops.

Abdi was the first in line, waiting in traditional dress and offering the time as his opener.

In shock, he took me on the €5 tour. All his shops had closed. His recommended restaurant was now a gallery. He grew increasingly angry with me. Calling me a fool for letting him take me on tour. ‘’Don’t you know any better you stupid tourist, go back to Gibraltar’’.

He retired that day.