13-14 July 2023 Africa sounds like a different and remote world. Yet, my next Moroccan destination Tangier, in North Africa, can see Spain, which is in Europe, on a clear day.
I sat down to dinner at a small restaurant and asked for an English menu. The owner said his English was broken but I could choose to speak in Arabic, Spanish, or French instead. I ordered a Spanish seafood paella – I want my mouth to do the talking – to taste the connection between the countries.
Spanish influence was evident, numerous legacy buildings of Spanish colonial style could be seen in the city. Spanish and Mediterranean cuisine was almost a staple. Facing the Strait of Gibraltar, its seafront was being transformed to welcome visitors with open arms. Along the coast, a promenade allowed all to drift with the breezes. The city center public beach was a big playground under the glare of the warm sun. In a marina area, the boats and yachts sat idly on the tranquil and crystal clear water, and cafes and restaurants served to satisfy refined European tastes. The medina stayed true to its Moroccan roots. The old market of small shops and narrow streets continued to draw crowds. The historic fortress of kasbah at the high points stood out and provided a panoramic view of the seafront.
Tangier is a Moroccan city with a neighborly European vibe.
I should have taken a boat ride across the Strait of Gibraltar to see southern Spain. So that is a little regret. But, It has been a 40-day whirlwind tour, from the Middle East to Europe and finally to North Africa. I think I know the Arab people a bit more, and that’s immensely rewarding.
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