Blogs from Tangier, Tangier-Tétouan, Morocco, Africa - page 3

The United States declared independence from England in 1776. Maybe you heard about it, it was kind of a big deal. Quick, which was the first country to recognize the new nation? If you answered France you would be almost correct; France was the second country to recognize the United States, in February of 1778. But the very first country to recognize the United States was Morocco in 1777. Of course, the Americans, being busy with the Revolutionary War with England, didn’t get around to formalizing a treaty with Morocco for another decade or so .The first US consul to Morocco arrived in 1797. Morocco occupies a unique position on the northern coast of Africa where the Atlantic and the Mediterranean meet. Add in its proximity to Spain and Gibraltar, along with a protected, deep water ... read more

Nachdem ich den Fußmarsch zu Paul absolviert hatte und ich mich aus dem Straßengewirr von Sale herausgewunden hatte, fuhr ich auf Landstraßen nach Tanger. Die Straßen waren immer wieder gesäumt von Ständen mit Töpferwaren. Ich könnte mich da richtig austoben aber Paul sprach ein Machtwort. Mein persönliches Regengebiet, ich hab es Schweini getauft, ist auch wieder zur Hand. Sowohl in der Nacht als auch in der Früh. Storchennester im Funkmast. Bei McDonald in Rabat (Internet für Screenshot wegen Lage von Hotel) wollte ich gerade gehen, als mich ein junger Mann auf Deutsch ansprach. Er und seine beiden Freunde sind in Deutschland aufgewachsen haben aber marokkanische Eltern. Der eine hat eine Firma für Telemarketing in Marokko (weniger Steuern), die beiden anderen arbeiten für ihn. Sie waren recht verblüfft, dass ich in meinem hohen Alter und als Frau ... read more

No easy way to summarize this side trip from Malaga. Two booking errors on my part led to some temporary grief, but we still came away with a worthwhile experience in a part of the world we have not visited before. The local bus got us to the ferry terminal in Algeciras, but I had bought tickets to Tangier Med, not realizing it was 50km east of the city. Instead of the expected 10 minute walk to our guest house we had to find a way there. Fortunately for us Omar, a fellow passenger, recognized our confusion and arranged to get us into a taxi-van with 3 other passengers and share the fare. Omar actually apologized for not coming with us! The taxi dropped us off outside the Medina (old walled city) and gestured vaguely in ... read more

Geo: 35.7728, -5.8235Over the past few days we exchanged emails with a private tour guide in Morocco, hoping that we might put together a brief, customized tour to Tangier and Chefchaouen. Our cooperative guide has been able to make the arrangements, so this morning we are up early, and drive to the southernmost tip of mainland Spain, Tarifa, to catch the ferry. Africa is a short, 1 hour ferry ride from Tarifa. We are met by our guide and driver, Morad and Omar, upon arrival in the port of Tangier.We do a short driving tour of the city, before heading to Cap Spartel and the Caves of Hercules on the northwestern tip of Morocco. We then return to Tangier, and do a short walking visit to the Kasbah, before stopping for a very tasty Moroccan lunch. ... read more

Geo: 35.7728, -5.8235Okay, today is when we actually set foot on the fourth continent. Hopped the ferry at 10:30 arriving in Tangier at 12:00. We traversed the Straight of Gibraltar (waters where the Mediterranean and Atlantic meet). The seas were confused near land (means waves not moving in a consistent train), especially at Spain. The 500 of so foot ferry rocked a good deal, which surprised us given the size of the boat. Yet, we made it unscathed. Tangier is not the quant little village some may expect. Much of it is a relatively large vivacious city. Most of our time, however, was spent in the Medina (old town), which very well could fit with expectations both in terms of the town and the behavior of the inhabitants. There were a great number of small vendors ... read more