A day in Tangier is not like a regular day at work. Despite serving as a gateway to Africa, with all the tourist traps associated with that, for a European it's a step into a different world. It can be very culturally educational with a couple of open eyes. The semi-Spanish, semi-Arabic guide leads the group through the Kasbah - the old city center, resembling a maze, with seemingly no order or logic. But we do get to a number of interesting locations, and at least the itinerary seems to be planned. A Moroccan pharmacy is nothing like a European pharmacy. Spices and herbs are lined up in hundreds of jars on shelves, and a visit is an experience in scent rather than cure. A Moroccan meal is nothing like a Euopean meal. Platters of unknown substances and contents, very much unlike a Big Mac Meal on a plastic tray. A Moroccan souvenir shop is nothing like a European souvenir shop. From key chains to expensive handmade carpets, personal service takes a whole new meaning. The sales person is more of a shadow than an informer running in the background. The concept of "not interested" is totally unknown; there are just different levels of "interested", and the job of the sales person is to boost that level, leading to a sale. And then there is the camel ride. Apparently you can't go to Morocco without riding a camel. Hence, the tour bus takes the group to a hill where a number of camels with the corresponding camel operators are waiting to further make money off tourists. The deal seems to be "get on, let the camel transport you a few steps, get off - next". Only so that you can take a picture and prove you've ridden a camel. Possibly the most unexciting and least romantic animal ride in history...but at least I can say I sat on a camel...
Tangier, Morocco, March 1997
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