2nd Day in Morocco!

We woke up to another beautiful 70 degree sunny day (low about 58 degrees).  The hotel continental breakfast buffet was overflowing with rolls, muffins and flat bread.  Honey, cheese and jam toppings, hard boiled eggs, yogurt, fresh squeezed orange juice and good Moroccan coffee.  One didn't need to eat it all to start the day off right!  

We walked out of the hotel into the waiting arms of some camel drivers!  Actually dromedaries- but amazing creatures.  Of course,  Ellen had to jump on for a few Euros- how could she pass it up!  The camel rocked with each step- their gait is like a rocking ship as they move each front and back leg in unison- if you don't hold on to the bridle and rear saddle strap, you don't stay on long!  Getting down was the hardest- front end down LONG before the back end- it was like a hydraulic car- finally settling even on the ground!

 Tangier is in Africa, but it's view is entirely of Europe-the stretch from Gibralter to Cape Trafalgar.  One side of town was built by the French, with boulevards, embassies and banks, bars and nightclubs.   The other side is Moorish, a walled maze of alleys sprawled over a steep hill above the harbour on the Mediterranean side, with Atlantic cliffs on the other!  The Medina, or Old Town has five required things to be a district:  a bakery, a fountain, a hammam (public bath), a mosque and a school.  

   We again met our guides, Ali and Mohammed, on the 2nd day. On the bus ride around Tangier, we discovered all the famous folks who lived and worked here.  Matisse, Barbara Hutton (Woolworth heiress), Truman Capote, Allen Ginsberg and more.  Famous movies were shot on location: (Bourne Ultimatum-Matt Damon)  and Alexander (Brad Pitt). We drove by the royal palace of King Mohammed VI and the beautiful Princess Sophia.  Private villas for the visiting royalty of Saudi Arabia were impressive.  People visit Morocco because it is liberal in its Arabian customs- sunbathing and nightclubs permitted! 



Tangier City  Circle

 


Morocco Royal Palace





Spice Shop

 We stopped at the town circle where the ancient Medina (original walled city) met the modern Tangier.  The arched gate is the entrance to the Medina.  This is where the fun began!  What great winding alleys and interesting shops along the way.  We learned a lot that morning:  starting with the spice shop, we learned all about the Moroccan spices that had flavored our meals - cumin, ginger, saffron, cinammon, cardomon, and nutmeg.  We also sampled hand creams made from the Argane plant and musk that can be used as perfume or sachet.

  We passed by other vendors selling olives, fresh fish, fruit and colorful silk threads for the popular garments worn by the Moroccan including the hooded jaballa and the ladies' caftan.  




Olive Vendor

 
The most exciting (and surprising) place was the Moroccan rug dealer- a huge Grand Circle approved Arbian rug store.  Our group was given a demonstration on the various types, sizes and colors of rugs and then we explored on our own- we both purchased some very special rugs for the floor and a wall hanging.  The rest of the time we were swatting away street vendors like flies!  They were not aggressive but wouldn't take "no" for an answer!  Our assistant guide, Mohammed, ducked away for a few minutes and became our personal shopper-he brought us back a large quantity of brass bracelets for future gifts without the hassle! 



Marcia's entrance into the Rug
Market!



                                                                                                                 






Silk Thread Shop

 





Fish Market








Fruit Market

 

                                                                                                                                                                               

We broke for lunch at a fabulous hotel in the center of Tangier.  Our group had a private dining room and once again ate the traditional meal of sweet appetizer and soup.  We then were offered seasoned beef kabobs and a pork ragout with fresh olives, wine and water.  For dessert, our favorite cinammon sprinkled oranges were a real treat.    We headed back on our bus to the Express Ferry back to Spain and home to  Torremolinos.  What a trip!  Grand Circle is the best.  We ate once again with our Grand Circle coupon for dinner- a new restaurant with a new menu to sample.  We only had to leave a tip and the rest was included in our trip fee!