My mother came to visit for a few days and we went to Tangiers for the weekend (last weekend? They’re blending together) Overall, this city was not what I expected at all.
Considering its proximity to Spain (you can literally see the Spanish coastline), I was expecting a European beach town full of Australian or German sunbathers that went against all stereotypes of Muslim countries that surround me in the United States. I was pretty wrong.
First of all, we stayed in a B E A Utiful hotel that overlooked the ocean and had this amazing pool. Although I didn’t take any photos of the hotel itself, it had 3 restaurants, a spa, and our room overlooked both the city and the ocean. The only issue with this paradise? We were the only. ones. there.
I kid you not, my mother and I had this entire hotel to ourselves. At first, we felt like queens, but honestly it just started feeling a little weird having this entire hotel staff at our beck and call.
On Saturday, we had a guide named Mustafa walk us around the Medina and the old part of the city. I, knowing it would be hot and not thinking at all, had not brought real pants of any sort and felt really out of place as I realized that every woman in town at least had her hair covered. It was obvious I was a tourist, but I still felt disrespectful and I wished I had something better to cover my naked legs that a bright blue silk poncho…
Anyway, this is Mustafa. He’s laughing because he said his wife Fatima would kill him if she saw a photo of him next to a “basically naked” lady. This is also my new Facebook profile picture.
Overall, Tangiers is a beautiful, tranquil place at Ramadan and people should not be afraid to go because of ISIS or other things associated with this country. The food is delicious and fresh, the culture is fascinating and foreign, and the people are nice and willing to help you when you get lost in the city.