Porn man and the men who chase.

Essoiria is a town of souvenir shops. Everywhere you walk "Mademoiselle" "bonjour" "just look" etc. etc. If you make the mistake of stopping you are sucked in. I stopped in one shop. I couldn't help it. The proprietor was beautiful, in long black robes and a huge black turban with the ends loose and flowing down on either side of him. He spoke decent English so I finally got to ask the question I have been wanting to ask someone since day one.
"Moroccan men, what are they thinking when they chase me down the street?"
He is embarrassed and plays dumb.
"What? What is this you say they do? They chase you? What then, do they want to talk to you?"
"Yes, they run down the street after me and want to talk. What are they thinking?" I persist.
"Oh, they must love you" he tells me.
I should really feel bad now for embarrassing him, but I can't stop.
"But do they run after Moroccan women"
"No" he concedes, and I let him be after that, as he is a healthy shade of pink.

After a day in Essouria I can't wait to get out. The plush bus does not leave until four and arrives at my next destination in the middle of the night, so I jump on the local bus at noon. I am headed for the Southern Frontier, from where I hope to be able to hitch a ride into Mauritania. This 11 hour bus journey will take me about 1/3 of the way. It is stiflingly hot and the seats don't recline but I am happy to be leaving the main tourist track. I am surrounded by men in turbans and robes and women in stylish jackets and hijabs or long flowing folds of fabric draped over them head to toe. Out the window the landscape is getting dryer and more rural. A pretty young woman in a black hijab smiles at me and gives me some food. Later she blows me a kiss. All is good until Algider. Here, the bus empties and waits for an hour to refill before continuing to Tan Tan.

Enter Porn Man.

The man who has sat next to me is watching cartoon clips on his phone. A minute later,I happen to glance over and he has his hand curled around the phone, trying to block the view as he watches it intently. Unfortunately, I still see it.
A woman is sprawled out naked behind a foot long schlong, which is the main focal point in the video. Freaking disgusting - I am sitting next to Porn Man. I decide then and there that if he touches me I will launch him from his seat.

We eventually make a stop for dinner at a row of roadside cafes. Porn man waves me over. He has ordered food for us and pats the chair next to him. I ignore the chair and take the one kitty corner, moving it even further away from him. As we eat I show him my wedding ring and inform him that my husband will be joining me in Morocco soon.

After dinner it comes. I knew it would. Moroccan men are very forward, and fast.

I should not go to Tan Tan. Tan Tan is no good, but Gourmime, where he lives, is very nice.
He has a very nice house in Gourmime and I should stay with him.
And finally, the icing on the cake; he is not married.
Said with a really disgusting, porn style, suggestive look.
I decline and go to find the toilet.
Back on the bus, I have seen a sign informing me that Gourmime is 30 km away. I am sitting turned towards the window and with my coat shoved down between Porn Man and myself.
Out of the corner of my eye I can see him staring at me.
"Gourmime 5 km"
Porn man begins to elbow me gently.
"Gourmime 2 km"
Porn Man elbows me harder. He is getting desperate. I glare quickly at him and look away before I can see make out what he is mouthing to me in his disgusting way. I already know.
Gourmime finally; and a dejected Porn Man alights from the bus.

...

At midnight the bus arrives in Tan Tan. Men are loitering all around. One jumps in front of me to try and talk. I avoid him and see the two women who where sitting behind me looking for a taxi. I join them and they invited me to stay at their home. This time I accept the invitation. Hakimas mother welcomes me to the family home with a kiss on each cheek and I end up staying two days with Hakima and her family before continuing south.