Mysterious Tangier, Morocco. . . . . . . . . . . .

Tangier, the 'White City', is one of the oldest and most vibrant cities in Morocco, 

and it has quite an air of mystery surrounding it. The lively souks, ancient mosques

 and Grand Sorocco (market place) offer a much different world.  Just a stone's throw

 from Spain's familiar Costas, and a ferry ride across the Straits of Gibraltar, Tangier 

is a northern gateway to the continent of Africa.

We had just a day to explore when our ship docked on a cool damp morning

 and we decided to walk into the city and do our own tour on foot.

Of course we did get lost, more than once, but we did see some interesting 

places and people. 

It was difficult to take photos of anything much when it started raining quite hard.

 Local people were definitely not thrilled when I pulled out the camera from 

under my raincoat and pointed it in their direction. . . . . . . .all except the 

smiling gentleman in the window below. He waved and seemed thrilled to 

have his photo taken, and I thanked him profusely from my vantage point 

in the narrow street below. 

Whereas, once in the crammed market places selling anything and everything 

imaginable, recognizable, or otherwise, the hundreds of people, including 

complete families as it was Sunday and a huge shopping day, and the
 shopkeepers, would wave me away and hide their severe faces. I love to 
photograph people going about their daily lives but here I realized
 that it was both a religious and/or a cultural thing not to permit photos, 
so I only managed a few.

The streets and markets were not a comfortable place to be for me whilst
 dealing with a cold rain requiring an umbrella all whilst negotiating dangerous,
 slippery narrow hills, speeding traffic, and huge throngs of local people.
 I had been warned that stepping out onto the streets of Tangier is a daunting
 experience for the uninitiated. However, putting up with a relentless barrage
 of beggars, so-called 'guides' and souvenir sellers made a lasting impression
 and I was able to absorb a little north African culture in just a few
 hours of sightseeing.

The tagine - one of Morocco's most common dishes.

Cunard's Queen Victoria from the hillsides of Tangier.

Leaving Tangier (click here for more on the colorful history) Morocco on the evening tide. 

We had walked up and down those hills through the medina, the old city, but I
 wouldn't relish doing it again in just a few hours. If there's a next time, which is
 doubtful, it might be fun to have a few days with time to learn one's way around,
 hopefully in sunshine with a parasol rather than an umbrella!

Surprise, had to share this with you.

The laundry lady did look out first, but didn't smile or wave for me like the
 man next door!