View of Gibraltar from the Ferry
Random Camels
Me and my camel!
Ellen and I praying at this hermitage. Apparently the women used to go here to pray for good boyfriends. Let hope it works!
Standing in between Africa and Spain
Val and I on the Ferry!
Me with the tour bus for the weekend!
Me and the Chefchaouen tour guide!
Hercules Cave. This is the shape of Africa!
Markets in Tangier. On the table behind the chickens are cow heads and brains!
Us girls...look at that huge hair I have...lol!
After quite the stressful week toward the end, I had an amazing experience going to my THIRD continent in the world...Africa! First of all, last week I got myself sucked into more or less a SCAM. Of course I am already over half done with the semester without having internet, but I saw a cheap deal and decided to buy it. I wanted to get just one month of internet in my house. Turns out I would have had to pay more than they said and the little USB didn´t even work in my house! You know all the fine print in spanish! After two days, I finally got it straightened out and ended the subscription and returned the piece. They say I will not be charged. I also wanted to avoid the possible extra charges so I canceled my Debit Card and I am awaiting a new one. I guess this will be good because it will save me from spending money I don´t have for the next few weeks!
However, I had the most incredible opportunity to travel in Morocco, Africa. It was through a travel agency. We Left at 6:30AM, Saturday morning and returned last night, Monday at around 9:30PM. Throughout these days we traveled to four cities: Ceuta, Chefchaoun, Tangier, and Tetuan. In all of these cities we got a tour. To get to this part of Africa we had to take a Ferry across the Straight of Gibraltar, and not the typical ferry that you would imagine. I felt like I was on a mini cruise with the comfy seats and little restaurant. There are two bodies of water that meet in the middle of the Straight, they are the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. We actually got to see the point where they met on our drive to Tangier.
The first place we visited was Ceuta. This was still a Spanish city, so we didn´t need to cross the border yet. Here was very similar to Spain with all the shops and city center. Later that day we drove into Morocco and crossed the border. Morocco is highly populated with Muslims where all the women wear headdresses still and men degrade them in a way. You should have seen the line of Muslims from this spanish land into Morocco. It was like the mexican immigrants from Mexico to the USA. They all had bought stuff for cheap in Ceuta and were now bringing it back to see in the streets of Morocco. This wasn´t the most beautiful place and there was trash all over the streets, but I absolutely loved it. There were mountains all over and even grass...which is a rarity to see in Sevilla. Upon entering Morocco we drove straight to our first hotel getting a narrated tour on the way of the history of Morocco. I wish I could tell you everything, but we learned soooo much! The first hotel was in the city of Tetuan. We only slept there and we are returning on Monday to visit the markets. We were provided both dinner and breakfast in this hotel, and I was utterly impressed! Well worth the money.
On Sunday morning we drove an hour and a half to the city of Chefchaouen. You will notice in my pictures that most of the city is painted various shades of blue. They do this because it keeps the town cooler and they and blue and white are the city colors. Also it is to keep the mosquitoes away...so they say. Maybe we should all consider this in Minnesota in the summers :) We got a walking tour in this town and went and visited the wool and fabric factory where they make these beautiful wool and silk adornments hand-made. Although I don´t believe everything was hand made, I did see a guy working on his loom making a wool blanket. After our tour we got to spend some time shopping at all the street vendors. A good comparison is Mexico. This is a place where if you show any interest they will try and get you to buy the product. At the same time you can bargain. Dad, I used your tactic and told them to tell me their best price right off bat! I didn´t end up buying anything because there wasn´t a lot of unique things. Oh, and I didn´t even get a postcard and shot glass for my collection because the postcards were bent and they don´t have shot glasses because they don´t drink that much with their religion. We had lunch in Chefchaouen and then got on the bus to head to Tangier for the evening.
On the way to Tangier, we stopped at the Caves of Hercules along the Mediterranean Sea. This cave was awesome because the rock formation opening looking out of to the sea is in the shape of Africa. You will be able to see better in the pictures! After taking lots of pictures here, night was approaching and we had to get to the camels before they left. It wasn´t an actual ride like on horses, it was literally get on, ride in a circle, and get off. Honestly that was enough for me because the way they stand up and sit down is quite frightening. You will have to watch the video that I will put up (having some difficulties...I will try to fix later)! It was intense, but now I can say that I have ridden a camel! Oh and for those who read my post last week, apparently I ended my bad luck with animals because they camel did not spit on me or buck me off. Maybe the myth is true that being pooped on by a pigeon causes good luck! I am all about that. After our camel experiences, we headed to our second four-star hotel! We were now in the city of Tangier. Before eating dinner, a group of us went out to see the town. Lets just say I felt like I was in a meat market with the other four girls because the Muslim men lined the streets and just stared. If it weren't for the eight guys with us, I would not have gone out. We did not talk to the locals or look at them. We were just what they liked to look at because were weren´t covered from head to toe like the Muslim women. It was interesting. After dinner Val, Ellen, Marissa, and I went down the hall to party with some of the other students on the trip. They were also studying in Sevilla. We almost forgot it was Halloween until many of them make-shifted outfits! It was a fun night, but ended early because I was exhausted. These busy days make me sooo tired.
However, I had the most incredible opportunity to travel in Morocco, Africa. It was through a travel agency. We Left at 6:30AM, Saturday morning and returned last night, Monday at around 9:30PM. Throughout these days we traveled to four cities: Ceuta, Chefchaoun, Tangier, and Tetuan. In all of these cities we got a tour. To get to this part of Africa we had to take a Ferry across the Straight of Gibraltar, and not the typical ferry that you would imagine. I felt like I was on a mini cruise with the comfy seats and little restaurant. There are two bodies of water that meet in the middle of the Straight, they are the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. We actually got to see the point where they met on our drive to Tangier.
The first place we visited was Ceuta. This was still a Spanish city, so we didn´t need to cross the border yet. Here was very similar to Spain with all the shops and city center. Later that day we drove into Morocco and crossed the border. Morocco is highly populated with Muslims where all the women wear headdresses still and men degrade them in a way. You should have seen the line of Muslims from this spanish land into Morocco. It was like the mexican immigrants from Mexico to the USA. They all had bought stuff for cheap in Ceuta and were now bringing it back to see in the streets of Morocco. This wasn´t the most beautiful place and there was trash all over the streets, but I absolutely loved it. There were mountains all over and even grass...which is a rarity to see in Sevilla. Upon entering Morocco we drove straight to our first hotel getting a narrated tour on the way of the history of Morocco. I wish I could tell you everything, but we learned soooo much! The first hotel was in the city of Tetuan. We only slept there and we are returning on Monday to visit the markets. We were provided both dinner and breakfast in this hotel, and I was utterly impressed! Well worth the money.
On Sunday morning we drove an hour and a half to the city of Chefchaouen. You will notice in my pictures that most of the city is painted various shades of blue. They do this because it keeps the town cooler and they and blue and white are the city colors. Also it is to keep the mosquitoes away...so they say. Maybe we should all consider this in Minnesota in the summers :) We got a walking tour in this town and went and visited the wool and fabric factory where they make these beautiful wool and silk adornments hand-made. Although I don´t believe everything was hand made, I did see a guy working on his loom making a wool blanket. After our tour we got to spend some time shopping at all the street vendors. A good comparison is Mexico. This is a place where if you show any interest they will try and get you to buy the product. At the same time you can bargain. Dad, I used your tactic and told them to tell me their best price right off bat! I didn´t end up buying anything because there wasn´t a lot of unique things. Oh, and I didn´t even get a postcard and shot glass for my collection because the postcards were bent and they don´t have shot glasses because they don´t drink that much with their religion. We had lunch in Chefchaouen and then got on the bus to head to Tangier for the evening.
On the way to Tangier, we stopped at the Caves of Hercules along the Mediterranean Sea. This cave was awesome because the rock formation opening looking out of to the sea is in the shape of Africa. You will be able to see better in the pictures! After taking lots of pictures here, night was approaching and we had to get to the camels before they left. It wasn´t an actual ride like on horses, it was literally get on, ride in a circle, and get off. Honestly that was enough for me because the way they stand up and sit down is quite frightening. You will have to watch the video that I will put up (having some difficulties...I will try to fix later)! It was intense, but now I can say that I have ridden a camel! Oh and for those who read my post last week, apparently I ended my bad luck with animals because they camel did not spit on me or buck me off. Maybe the myth is true that being pooped on by a pigeon causes good luck! I am all about that. After our camel experiences, we headed to our second four-star hotel! We were now in the city of Tangier. Before eating dinner, a group of us went out to see the town. Lets just say I felt like I was in a meat market with the other four girls because the Muslim men lined the streets and just stared. If it weren't for the eight guys with us, I would not have gone out. We did not talk to the locals or look at them. We were just what they liked to look at because were weren´t covered from head to toe like the Muslim women. It was interesting. After dinner Val, Ellen, Marissa, and I went down the hall to party with some of the other students on the trip. They were also studying in Sevilla. We almost forgot it was Halloween until many of them make-shifted outfits! It was a fun night, but ended early because I was exhausted. These busy days make me sooo tired.
On Monday morning, we got up, had breakfast, and were on our way to Tetuan to see the markets. This was probably the most dirty and run-down city that we visited. We walked through the streets and there were live chickens on the same table as the fresh dead ones, pastries sitting out with flies on them, dirty water running through the walkway, and so much more. I really started to appreciate where I decided to study abroad. There were also the typical leather shops and other knick-knacks that they locals try to get you to buy. Again, I didn´t see much I wanted and what was worth the money. My favorite place we did go to was the spice shop. Here we got a demonstration showing us a lot of the natural spices and herbs they sold in addition to oils and cremes for the body. Here I spent a little bit of money for gifts...but I will not say for who and what! Our last stop of the day was going to a Moroccan restaurant and eating traditional Moroccan food. It was really good. It was like a tomato soup with herbs, a huge salad plater and a pot roast with vegetables and cooscoos. So delicious! For desert we had cookies and mint tea. I heard them say the tea was good, but until I tried it, I didn´t believe! It had such a strong flavor and was delicious!
Those are just some short synopsis of each city I visited this weekend. Hope you enjoy all the pictures and Happy November!
This week I have two more midterms, so I am looking forward tot he weekend. I don´t have much planned, but one of the days I am going to the farm of the family I tutor to ride horses and spend the day with them! I can´t wait!
Miss you all!
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