To take a ferry across the Straight of Gibraltar to Spain, Tangier was my final stop in Morocco. Although twelve days weren’t enough to get to know the city, it was an admirable place to conclude my journey in Morocco.
I got to the last destination on a classic railway, Al Atlas, from Marrakech and transferred to a bullet train (Al Boraq) in Casablanca. A major adjustment was the weather from a hot semi-arid climate to a wet Mediterranean climate. Because of the heat fever I got after the trip to the edge of the Sahara, I hadn’t had any grogs since. That was a chance for me to stay sober—no alcohol for the entire stay. I’m grateful.
On the first day of exploration, I found a perfect cafe to hang out, Cinémathèque de Tanger or Cinema Rif. The vibe of this arthouse cinema clicked. Hence, I spent a good amount of time at the cafe, mostly working. Besides, not every trip offered a limited screening of a film from this North African region, Backstage.
Moreover, it’s just next to the medina of Tangier. Even though its size and complexity weren’t comparable to the Marrakech one, it captivated me with panoramic views of the Mediterranean.
I would extend my stay to explore more, especially the historical and cultural interconnection. But dealing with the ABN host was too much, and I couldn’t bother to find a new place. So, I stuck with the plan—crossing the Strait of Gibraltar.
Nonetheless, my twelve days in Tangier (with a day trip to Chefchaouen) were memorable. Not just because the city comforted me so much, but also because it was my final stop in Morocco. As I was having dinner on the day before departure, it was sombre to realise that was my last tagine dish in Morocco, at least for a long while.