Bajai Body Camp 14.11: Day 400
Hotel Continental
Wednesday July 11, 2018
Tangier, Morocco
21.9% wretched and raggedy

My favorite pair of pants are deteriorating and may have to be replaced. Thinking I should've gotten those cargoes in Torremolinos. I was concerned about space.

The pair in question were given to me by Keanne... a blast from the Philly past. She was my massage therapist and friend for the last six years we were in Philadelphia. We left the same year and met up in Chiang Mai in 2017. Back in Philly, we'd swap items, give gifts to each other and such. She collected clothes for the homeless. One day I was offered the pair of pants in question. Perfect fit, perfect style, perfect function. They've been with me ever since.

Yours truly and Keanne, Chiang Mai, Thailand 2016

Cargo pants are a throwback to the mid-late 1970s; that's when I think I got my first pair. I was happy to discover that cargoes were issued in the navy as well. For me, there was no going back to anything with less than six (including side) pockets.

These days, as part of the feminization of men, (this may or may not be a real "plot"), the popular fashion has become tight, skinny, tapered jeans/pants. I cannot wear such a style mainly because I'm too fat, those pants are not functional for me and I don't like clothes that cling to me. They must flow.

Cargoes are forty years out of style and unless I find a military surplus store or a Chinese hut along a beach in southern Spain, I'm pretty much out of luck.

This will be important for me to remember next time I come across a less-than-perfect, yet decent pair of cargoes on the rack... even if there is an elastic waistband.

I think it's funny that I've gone on so about a pair of pants. I do not consider myself fashionable, stylish, or even a good dresser by any stretch of the imagination. However I am passionate about what I like in clothes (and in life) - and that's comfort and function.

This (essay) is what's produced when I wake up in the morning... after a good night's sleep, and have a decent breakfast on a terrace in Tangier.

Okay, you caught me... it's all about the pants.

However... last night was the first good night's sleep I've had since I've been in Tangier. Hotel Continental gets big ups for price, location, breakfast, comfort. Tighter room, no pool, no lift, (which I don't use anyway... at least up to the fifth floor), but there are other factors that beat out the Atlas Rif.

Oh yeah... Day 400. Time to resume the training before I go out.

Round one....change in vibration... more X. One meal one round? Is breakfast my only meal today? Will I eat just as something to do? We'll keep an eye in it.

On with the day... just a recap. Found my way to the ferry station so I'll know where I'm going next week, or whenever I leave. Explored the area around the corner and realized it's probably a great place to watch the sunset, so I think I'll go back for that. Climbed a bunch of steps... great view. Made today's movie. Went to meet Richard but he wasn't there, so I looped around, he wasn't there again, so I did some playground pulling. Stepped on a bee and it stung me between my toes... it hurt then but not now. Discovered some shops just outside of the medina for fruits, herbs, but no vitamin c. Ran into Richard on the way back. He invited me to a cafe for a bite or tea, but I have a new rule. It's my Moroccan rule; if I can't buy his meal, I ain't goin'. I'm not in pocket like that today. Picked up some nuts too. You just have to trust here... there are no price labels.

Throat feels better. Full day and the sun isn't down yet. Maybe I can... or will run tomorrow. Internalize.

Hungry... mix these nuts. Have a handful. Shower, tend to the foot.... lefty... and chase the sun.

Another accomplishment on day 400; pay my bill and shoot the sunset. My phone is up to 99% full daily. I need to transfer and delete... and get a 32 gig sd card.

Despite the "stings" day 400 was a good day.

Goodnight.

Another look at the sunset, in case you missed it.