August 05, 2015

Tangier, Morocco

Fountain in Tangier's medina.
Fountain in Tangier’s medina.
Building with bougainvillea bushes.
Building with bougainvillea bushes.
Covered portion of a street in Tangier's medina.
Covered portion of a street in Tangier’s medina.
Red and blue street in the medina.
Red and blue street in the medina.
Blue steps in the medina.
Blue steps in the medina.
View of the other end of the red and blue street.
View of the other end of the red and blue street.
The tomb of Ibn Battuta (a famous traveler from Tangier).
The tomb of Ibn Battuta (a famous traveler from Tangier).
Entrance in the wall, leading to the Kasbah in Tangier's medina.
Entrance in the wall, leading to the Kasbah in Tangier’s medina.
White buildings next to the Kasbah.
White buildings next to the Kasbah.
Part of the Kasbah in Tangier.
Part of the Kasbah in Tangier.
The north side of the Kasbah.
The north side of the Kasbah.
Corridor with Islamic arches.
Corridor with Islamic arches.
View north of the Kasbah, looking at the Strait of Gibraltar (Europe is barely visible on the other side).
View north of the Kasbah, looking at the Strait of Gibraltar (Europe is barely visible on the other side).
Graffiti found in the medina.
Graffiti found in the medina.
Looking up at a street in the medina.
Looking up at a street in the medina.
The Hotel Continental in Tangier.
The Hotel Continental in Tangier.
Street near the Hotel Continental.
Street near the Hotel Continental.
Fruits and vegetables on sale in the market in Tangier's medina.
Fruits and vegetables on sale in the market in Tangier’s medina.
Olives being sold in the market.
Olives being sold in the market.
A butcher shop in the market.
A butcher shop in the market.
Fish on display in the market.
Fish on display in the market.
My meal of couscous with grilled beef, chicken, and vegetables.
My meal of couscous with grilled beef, chicken, and vegetables.
Looking north toward Tangier's medina, near the Port of Tangier.
Looking north toward Tangier’s medina, near the Port of Tangier.
Looking south toward Mohammad VI Avenue and the corniche in Tangier.
Looking south toward Mohammad VI Avenue and the corniche in Tangier.

I woke up today around 11:00, showered, dressed, got ready, and exited the hostel. I walked around the medina, looking at all the colorfully painted passageways, steps, and doorways, making my way up to the Kasbah (or “fortress”), which is located on the highest point in the medina. Inside the Kasbah is the Dar-el-Makhzen (or “Sultanate Palace”) which was the seat of residence for the Sultans of Morocco when staying in the city and built during the reign of Sultan Moulay Ismail in the seventeenth-century AD. Upon reaching the Kasbah, I noticed an outer gate and walked over there to take some photographs. Then, I noticed signs directing tourists to the Tomb of Ibn Battuta (the famous traveler whose tomb I tried to find two days ago); so I decided to leave the Kasbah and see Ibn Battuta’s tomb first. I followed the signs through some more colorful streets and eventually found it. After taking some photographs of the tomb, I walked back whence I came, returning to the Kasbah. As I walked toward the entrance of the Kasbah, I noticed movie cameras and other set pieces, I then realized that there was no chance of me being able to enter the Kasbah after all; they were filming a Dutch or German movie (not sure which) that may be called ‘Rush’ (this is what a man at the entrance told me, but after an internet search I doubt it) and the Kasbah was closed from August 3rd to the 6th (so there was no chance of me ever visiting it whilst in Tangier). Somewhat disappointed, I walked around the Kasbah and made my way to the northern side where there was an overlook and where I could see the Strait of Gibraltar and just barely make out Spain on the other side (it was too hazy to see Europe clearly). Well, without anything else planned for the day, I walked through the medina some more, checked out the Hotel Continental, and made my way back to the souk and fresh flora/fauna market I passed through two days ago, but this time I took pictures of some of the stalls and butchered animals. After walking through the market, I then exited the medina and walked to a decent restaurant to eat a hearty meal since I had had nothing yesterday. For this meal, I had a Coca-Cola and couscous with chicken, beef, and plums. Afterwards, I walked back to the hostel and relaxed for the remainder of the day. While in the hostel, I talked with the three Americans and discovered that one guy was a baker coming over to work in France and that his friend was a brewer (I think the woman was a bartender, but that thought is most likely wrong). Later on, I read Mark Twain’s short story entitled ‘A Dog’s Tale’, which was very sad. Eventually, I went to sleep after midnight, ready to make my way to Fes the following day.

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An open journal or an exercise in narcissism.