Morocco - Tangier

First view of Morocco – medina of Tangier – awesome. First smell – fishes – not that awesome. And the first thing I heard in the moment I left the port - “Do you want an official guide?” - “No thanks I can do it by my self.” So of I went exploring Tangier by my self. For a while…

After I got lost (twice) searching for the room I found (or should I say he found me) an at least 40 year old man without front teeth who wanted to help me. I explained him 3 times that I don’t have any intention of paying him so he might just let me alone and I’ll find my way through. He assured me (3 times) that it was not his intention to get paid but just to help me. Yeah right… Didn’t really buy that but by that time we were already in Medina area and I realized that I’d need ages to find my way through. After “helping” me find a room my “friend” naturally took me through Medina to some shops hoping I’ll buy something and he’ll get a share. Yeah… That didn’t happen… But I let him do it ‘cause at the tops of the stores (where I was able to go with his help) you got the best view ever!

After some (long) time he (finally) gave up on me and said bye – when I was actually about to leave without paying him (that was the deal) he stopped me and quite frankly told me I owe him 10€. Can’t say I was surprised – I actually expected him to say more and earlier… At the end I gave him 5€ ‘cause he did help me and plus I didn’t want that some guy who knows everyone in Tangier is angry with me…

From there on I was on my own, exploring Medina…

But I was not alone for long… Soon I met two local girls, two of the few local girls that didn’t have covered hair. It was them who approached me ‘cause they assumed that will be a great chance to practice foreign languages. And it sure was! One didn’t speak anything but Arab, only a few French words, the other one just new some basics of Spanish. Although I found it really difficult to communicate with them – we had quite a few funny moments but ended up as having a great afternoon.

With them I also got the chance to see also the new and totally different part of Tangier…

On the last day of my trip that brought me again to this town I took this picture and I knew the majority of all the possible mistakes you can make on the trip to Morocco so I didn’t do them again.

Lessons of the day 1 were:

1) never ever get a guide even less un unofficial guide – you can do it by yourself,

2) negotiate and

3) enjoy the beauty and difference of this country!!!