Tangier, Morocco

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 3^rd to the 6^th (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.