A few days
This is something I have not done before, a bit like a diary but also a starting place. Usually I have an article regarding a specific place or creature but thought I would approach things from a different prospective. My time in Tangier is taken up with relaxing, writing another book and walking about a lot.
When staying in a place for more than a couple of days or weeks things change. There's food to cook as well as necessary items which need to be bought. If, like myself, you are traveling light, extra clothing and other things. Most Moroccan kettles for boiling water in have curved bases and that didn't work on the stove in the apartment where I was staying, plus I needed a large towel for showers so set out to find the items. A flat based kettle was found by accident and it wasn't too large. Stuffing it into a backpack I had bought in Agadir, I searched for some towels. Eventually I found a place which custom made them and they were expensive (try 1300 Dirhams) and woven differently than I was used to. The shop was at one time a synagogue in the Kasbah. An hour later I needed something from a supermarket and discovered an entire row of towels, a wash cloth, hand towel and big one cost me 195 Dirham—live and learn. The Jewish towels are now being used as decoration in the apartment. On the way back I stopped for lunch and ate a Cous-cous meal, similar to Tagine but with Cous-cous underneath instead of a sort of soup. It cost me 40 Dirhams the same in London is the equivalent of 420 Dirhams!
Waking up on the 10th, I looked out the window as saw this monster sitting in the port. Since I have not visited places with ports over the years this is a first for me, so was an unknown factor until now.
If you have never eaten the dish before there are a few things you need to know: it is very hot, still boiling, upon arrival in a pottery type dish which can seriously burn your fingers—so watch out! Bread is served with it and the locals I've seen eat it using just the bread, a bit messy to say the least. I combined a fork with the bread, it was easier for me. A sort of plate of hors d'oeuvre precede the main dish. I had a vegetable one and it cost me 75 Dirham, meat ones will cost more. The olives still have their stones in so take note on that.
Well worth the walk, time and money.
In the past I used a tablet, but quite honestly was not all the happy with it. The J5 is now being used as a tablet and once I manage to connect with my Lebara account (not available in Morocco) then I will put the sim in to use once a month to do what is needed. I can: read books, make notes, play a few games, run a translator and use SRWare Iron to access my blog to click publish if I'm away somewhere without my laptop. Plus it fits into my travel vest pocket and so saves room in my backpack.
January 2025
It bagan with me staying in a room at the apartment I first resided in last January and February. Sam, the one who has the apartment, also rents another and works online to earn some more money especially in off season. One of the apartments is near the Marina and Medina, both of which are touristy places, it sits between the main port and Marina where people park their boats and yachts..The Tangier Marina
When staying in a place for more than a couple of days or weeks things change. There's food to cook as well as necessary items which need to be bought. If, like myself, you are traveling light, extra clothing and other things. Most Moroccan kettles for boiling water in have curved bases and that didn't work on the stove in the apartment where I was staying, plus I needed a large towel for showers so set out to find the items. A flat based kettle was found by accident and it wasn't too large. Stuffing it into a backpack I had bought in Agadir, I searched for some towels. Eventually I found a place which custom made them and they were expensive (try 1300 Dirhams) and woven differently than I was used to. The shop was at one time a synagogue in the Kasbah. An hour later I needed something from a supermarket and discovered an entire row of towels, a wash cloth, hand towel and big one cost me 195 Dirham—live and learn. The Jewish towels are now being used as decoration in the apartment. On the way back I stopped for lunch and ate a Cous-cous meal, similar to Tagine but with Cous-cous underneath instead of a sort of soup. It cost me 40 Dirhams the same in London is the equivalent of 420 Dirhams!
The X on the funnel sorta makes the point.
Waking up on the 10th, I looked out the window as saw this monster sitting in the port. Since I have not visited places with ports over the years this is a first for me, so was an unknown factor until now.
Dar Harruch Restaurant
Dar Harruch Tagine
The day had been busy and also saw me doing a good 4-5 mile walk out west where the Straits of Gibraltar turn into the Atlantic Ocean. Thoughts of cooking my own evening meal were dropped, so I headed into the Kasbah to Dar Harruch to splurge on their delicious Tagine. It is situated at 16 Rue Mohamed, you can contact them via your mobile on 0643 336 862. You will probably have to ask directions depending where you are in the Kasbah, the signage is a bright orange color.If you have never eaten the dish before there are a few things you need to know: it is very hot, still boiling, upon arrival in a pottery type dish which can seriously burn your fingers—so watch out! Bread is served with it and the locals I've seen eat it using just the bread, a bit messy to say the least. I combined a fork with the bread, it was easier for me. A sort of plate of hors d'oeuvre precede the main dish. I had a vegetable one and it cost me 75 Dirham, meat ones will cost more. The olives still have their stones in so take note on that.
Well worth the walk, time and money.
The phone switch
For the last couple years I've used a Samsung Galaxy J5 Pro, about 5 1/2 inches with Android 7.1 on. It works okay but is larger than I was used to. While in Agadir I bought a Galaxy A3 with Android 8 and it is 4.5 inches. It is now my main phone currently with Maroc Telecom pay as you go on.In the past I used a tablet, but quite honestly was not all the happy with it. The J5 is now being used as a tablet and once I manage to connect with my Lebara account (not available in Morocco) then I will put the sim in to use once a month to do what is needed. I can: read books, make notes, play a few games, run a translator and use SRWare Iron to access my blog to click publish if I'm away somewhere without my laptop. Plus it fits into my travel vest pocket and so saves room in my backpack.
My dumb
The taxi ride was short and I had put my sunglasses on the dashboard top to see the fare monitor down below. Leaving the car I realised that they were still there. I bought these sunglasses on my first trip to Pamplona after my backpack fell over breaking my Ray Bans. They were Italian, polarized only and quite expensive. Not long was left before my pension would be put into my bank account but I would be able to manage. A new pair were bought for 600 Dirham and are nice, but not unbreakable. A small hard case was included so no problem there. From now on when sunglasses come off in taxis, I keep them on me.Now head for the Rif Mountains.
Jan 17, 2025
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