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West Africa, Malta and the Balkans in 1999
MOROCCO
Bec2004-09-18 19:20:34
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Tangier
Arriving in the port of Tangier. The three hour passage from Algeciras passed quickly joking with Peter Terelinck, an eccentric middle-aged Australian backpacker from Sydney that I had met in Gibraltar.
The Gate of Italy gives access to the medina (old city) from the Grand Socco Square on the western side. Leaving the ferry terminal on foot, I entered the medina by the stairways on the eastern side and made my way through the charming narrow streets to the Pension Mauritania in Petit Socco Square, where I shared a room with Peter. The next day, I left for Tetouan and Peter for Casablanca.
Mohamed V street leading from the Pension Iberia where I stayed in Moulay el Mehdi square to the Place Hassan II in the Medina.
Arriving early in Tetouan, I was immediately adopted by an uninvited guide, Hassan, who stuck to me like crazy glue and showed me around. I normally would have chased him off for I prefer exploring narrow alleys and dark shops by myself rather than having a guided tour of the local tourist traps. He was a nice fellow with a great personality so I let him do his bit and gave him the expected tip at the end of the day.
Place Hassan II and the Royal Palace are the heart of the labyrinth of narrow alleys and passages that constitute the medina. Hassan knew it like the palm of his hand and everyone seemed to know him so having him around wasn't a bad idea after all.
He showed me places I might not have found by myself such as this open air tannery. Of course he took me to his favorite shops (the ones that gave him the best commissions) but his introductions made it easier for me to strike conversations with the owners of the shops we visited.
Chechaouen
My next stop was here in Chechaouen, a delightful 15th century holy city off the beaten track in the Rif mountains. This is Outa el Hammam square in the center of the medina
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See photographs from:
Morocco Gallery
