Morocco

As we planned for our year in Spain, we made a list of all the places we wanted to visit. Morocco wasn’t on the original list. After we selected the region of Andalucía We realized how close we would be and thought it was an important opportunity to experience a very different culture. I have to admit, I was a little nervous to travel to Morocco, but oh, what a great time we had.

A few things about Morocco struck me right away. First thing, it was really green. I was expecting a desert, but northern Morocco was so much greener than southern Spain.

Next, were the people. We were treated with such warmth. Everywhere we went we were told “welcome, bienvenidos or bienvenues.” Oh, that is another thing, there are a lot of languages spoken. The main language is Arabic. Although none of us speak Arabic, we made sure to learn a few words from a wonderful Moroccan woman on the ferry: hello, thank you, please and bathroom (plus the names of a few foods we had to try while visiting). In addition to Arabic, a lot of people speak Spanish, which I am sure is due to their proximity to Spain and the fact that Spain once controlled parts of a Morocco. French is the official government language and is taught in school, and occasionally you will find a person who speaks some English. Todd and I had a great time using all of our languages.

The diversity is also quite striking. As we traveled from big city to a small town and through the country you would see people in very modern and Western dress walking amoungst people in tradional dress from the different cultures of Morocco. There were women completely covered except for the eyes, and others without any head covering at all.

Finally there were the cats. They were everywhere.The boys and I loved them.

We were able to visit three towns, Tangiers, Tetouan and Chefchaouen.

During the Reconquista of Spain (when the Moors and Jews in Andalucia were kicked out), they fled the the area in Spain where we now live and took refuge in northern Morocco. They built Tetouan’s Medina (market) in the 15th century. It is a fascinating labyrinth.