December, 13, 2024

After refueling in Gibraltar, we took a dip back into Northern Africa to Tangier, Morocco before we set sail for Cadiz, Spain our last port of call before crossing the Atlantic Ocean back to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. On the map you can see the northwest Africa promontory where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean at the entrance to the Strait of Gibraltar. 

Chongae and I try to sample a cup of coffee in the different countries we visit. There is a distinctive difference between the types of beans even including the aroma. Tangier, Morocco is one place where we have to make an exception. One can spend hours wandering the narrow alleys and passageways of Tangier’s Medina, or old city, and the Grand Socco – the crowded and noisy square where all the action is.  It is common to sit at a cafe to order a mint tea, one of the favorite drinks of those who live in Tangier. Be careful however when you order, it is served hot — so hot that you have put it down and wait a few minutes to cool enough to drink. It is delicious and only cost one euro.

In the Grand Socco, (marketplace) you can get lost in its many footpaths and passageways, discovering delightful scenes around every corner. I saw some passengers from the ship who appeared lost and were worried they wouldn’t find their way out. Having a good sense of direction, I was happy to guide them.

Some passages were lined with shops and full of vendors. Others were mostly deserted and seemed to lead to apartments or homes or just dead end. Sometimes the path was steep or led to stairs going up or down that may be difficult to maneuver . But if you were persistent, you would eventually find another passageway without steep stairs.

Vendors – always men often wearing woven caftans – were eager to sell all kinds of merchandise. I was shopping only with my eyes and camera, but I found vendors always respectful and polite. There sure were a lot of choices!

Some of the merchandise was souvenirs, but most was targeted to locals – fruits and vegetables, shoes and clothing and even hardware items.

We’ll be back in Tangiers next year and I look forward to it. Much different than shopping at your local Costco, but as the saying goes “When in Rome…

Thanks for travelling with us.