Casablanca

May 29, 2026

January 7–9, 2006 We took the 9 a.m. train from Tangier to Casablanca and learned immediately that "assigned seating" was optional at best. We never made it to the seats. The car packed out before we could get past the entry, so we stood the whole way in the vestibule by the doors, crammed in around the bathrooms with everyone who hadn't made it farther. Tina and I held that spot for three of the five hours, wedged in the middle, riding the sway of the train like it was part of the ticket…

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We Were Aliens

May 24, 2026

Twenty-one years ago today, Tina and I crossed the Mekong river from Thailand into Laos and and booked a one-day boat trip to Luang Namtha. This is how it went. * * * May 24, 2005 The immigration officer in Huay Xai held out his hand for thirty baht. I started reaching for my pocket, then stopped. Why am I paying this guy? He must have read it on my face, because he turned a laminated card around so I could see it. Office Hours 8am–6pm Overtimeee Fee 15 baht 4pm–6pm Overtime. Spelled with three…

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