0231. Yeah, I know what you're thinking... (Mor 079--new)
There is one and only ONE reason why foreigners ever go to Ketama--that's to buy hashish... We'll, today, a new breed of foreigner has showed up--one with absolutely no interest in that pesky weed...
Of course, with a guitar slung over my shoulder it doesn't help much in breaking that stereotype... As soon as I get off the bus, I got a couple of very "friendly" fellows on my trail who refused to be shaken off.
Having grown up in Northwest Mexico where, happening accidently on someone's marijuana patch means you'll end up with a bullet in the back of your head before sunset, I'm feeling a bit uneasy about this Hash Capital... But I'm determined not to leave until I've played my set...
Once I reached the south end of town, my "dealers" give up, and I follow the road on into the forest.
I stop to rest under the trees and enjoy the serene setting... quite frankly, I'll be quite happy NOT to have an audience here in Ketama...
...That's about to change...
A couple fellows walking north along the road spot me and head over my way. Sensing that this could mean trouble, I pack up my guitar and get ready to get going...
"Oh, we just wanted to listen to some music--but since it seems that we've disturbed you, we'll head on our way" one of them apologized. They looked respectable.
I play a couple of songs for them--then they invite me to go back into town for coffee... I accept...
Turns out they're from one of the most respected families in the area. They actually live in Tanger and are here for the holidays. Just about everyone we come across stops to greet them.
"Why don't you stay the night at our place?" the ask. "We have a couple of uncles who are musicians as well..."
For some reason I relish ironic situations. And to stay the night with a family in notorious Ketama seems like the ultimate irony... so, yep, I accept.
...So we spend the afternoon hiking out in the forest, playing music...bringing in the cows from the pasture... playing some more music... meeting the rest of the family...
...So the town that seemed the most inhospitable, turned out to be the most hospitable of them all...
