Three hours after leaving Casablanca, I was in Tangier. This city was at the northern part of Morocco. Close to the Mediterranean Sea, this city has such a strong Spanish influence. Some of the buildings have Spanish architecture. This area’s history with Spain goes back several hundreds to thousands of years. It almost looked like I was in Latin America.
Got to my Airbnb apartment, it was near the beach. This looks a like an awesome place to visit during the summer time. The cold breeze with the beautiful beaches confused me. I felt I like running downstairs to jump into the water. What stopped me was the need to have my winter coat with me. It was like a very cold Miami without the heat.
Some of the people here speak Spanish. You can tell where someone is from originally because of how they speak Spanish. The history this place has with Spain is interesting. When the Spanish Jews and Moors got kicked out of Spain, they had to settle in different parts of North Africa. Others converted to Christianity and left for the Spanish colonies in the Americas. So, the Spanish Moors and Jews that went back to Morocco settled in this region of the country. The Jews settled more in the “Blue city” or Chefchaouen that’s about an hour away by car.
Went to a mall near my accommodation. I wanted to eat out and try some Moroccan food. To my disappointment, all the food was American globalization flavored. I did have a conversation with a local that spoke Spanish. He couldn’t speak English and my skills towards this country’s governmental languages are horrible. Spanish was our common language. My new friend let me know that he learned Spanish from his parents. He even spoke Spanish with a Spaniard accent but he looked Latin American. It was surreal to experience this. I felt like the biggest history nerd knowing this guy has roots to the Moors and/or the sephardic jew. Spanish is taught at home by being passed down generationally. Same goes with judaism.
Came back near the apartment I rented, I was a little annoyed. I went to Morocco to eat hamburgers and french fries. There’s a French joke here, but I’m not going to touch it. Anyways, I wanted to eat Moroccan food. Sadly, I started to noticed that local food is hard to come by when you are staying in the touristy areas.
Stay safe everyone and remember to wash your hands!
Sorry for posting on Thursday. Had a wild day yesterday.
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Very interesting to read about the spanish influence in Morocco!
yes, those two countries are like cousins. they have so much history together!
It’s amazing how cultures interrelate in Tangier. Magical Morocco!
🙂 keep safe!
morocco is awesome! i can’t want to explore more of africa! it’s my favorite continent. do have any recommendations? i’m trying to go to nigeria next, if not south africa.
Come to Nigeria, it’s amazing.
Can’t see from your site if you have ever visited London?!
i actually just started writting about my travels in london. i love that city. if had millions i would moved there and live happliy
Great read on the Spanish influence. For me, seeing Spain across the sea was crazy enough. I really felt the difference between Tangier and other parts of Morocco so would definitely agree it has a real European influence. I’m also sad to say we had a burger whilst in Tangier (it was our first time not eating Moroccan though) as it was all there was open! Anyway, great article and take care!
lmao yes that is what annoyed me about tangier! most of the food is for tourist. not many local food around, unless you go to the less toursity areas. thank you for this comment 🙂
Id love to visit Morocco, and I think I’ll be surprised because this isn’t what id pictured! And it’s always a shame when you can’t find any local food to sample!
Yes among northern part passing Marrakech, it gets really green and Mediterranean. Morcoco is really beautiful. I have to visit during thr summer one day! I was a little down but there’s always next time.