Side Trip to Morocco

On a clear day, from our condo’s spot on the Spanish Mediterranean, we can see across the sea to Africa. Since it is that close, why not visit it? We started the day boarding a fast ferry in Tarifa bound for Tangier, Morocco. When we arrived, we definitely felt like we were in a different place. We were part of a small tour group and saw much of the broader city by minibus, but then explored more of the historial parts of the city on foot.

The Kasbah, is a fortress / citadel, that sits on a higher point in Tangier. Inside, narrow pathways twist here and there through residential streets, markets, small shops, and mosques. It was a spectacle for the senses: lots to see, hear, and smell. And in the middle of it all, we had a Moroccan lunch, so there was definitely time to taste, as well.

While frequented by tour groups, the Kasbah does seem to be a working neighborhood of locals. We saw a community bakery, a school, homes, stores of every type, and many locals going about their day. It was really a fascinating place … unlike anything we’ve ever seen.

Tangier, in total, was fascinating. While Morocco has strict anti-gay laws and it isn’t a place we would typically frequent, it was interesting to get a sense of this place via a one-day tour.

Our camera was busy snapping photos, which probably tell more about our day than any words could do.

Early in the morning, we arrived Tarifa, the southernmost port in Spain, where we caught our catamaran ferry to Tangier.

An hour or so after we left Tarifa, we arrived in Tangier.

The city of Tangier

We passed several homes, which appear to be very grand and potentially very nice, but appeared to also be abandoned and deteriorating.

Over our shoulders is the Mediterranean and the coast of Southern Spain.

This collection of camels was for tourists’ benefit, but it definitely helped us feel like we were not in Europe any longer.

On foot, we approached the walls of the Casbah.

On foot, we approached the walls of the Kasbah.

One of the entrances to the Kasbah

Within the walls of the Kasbah, showing a bit about how old this place really is.

A vendor shows his jewelry for sale in the Casbah.

A vendor shows his jewelry for sale in the Kasbah.

Narrow streets and passageways throughout the Kasbah

One of the nicer looking buildings within the walls of the Kasbah was this hotel.

Ancient walls within the Kasbah

Mosaic tile within line one of the Kasbah’s paths.

A cat waits at the end of a Moorish entry within the Kasbah.

Not only are there cats wandering within the walled area, but there are chickens roaming freely as well.

This was fascinating. Here a community bread baker prepares loaves for the oven. Members of the community can bring their unbaked bread here to be baked. The baker marks the loaves with a special mark for that person/family to identify them. The loaves of bread here are at ground level, so the baker is partially below the surface.