Steph's Travelogue: Day 7: Multi-Cultural Morocco

We went to Africa today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Boarded the bus suuuuper early & headed to the port city of Algeciras to catch a 1 hr ferry across the Strait of Gibraltar to Africa! Our ferry docked in Ceuta, a Spanish city, and then we drove across the border into Morocco to visit the town of Tetuan.

First stop…camel riding!!! Needless to say, that was a HUGE highlight for most of the kids today. For 1 Euro, they got to ride the camel down the sidewalk in back, but was still a big hit! Next stop, a trade school where students learn to make different handicrafts. Next up, the Medina. The narrow, winding streets amongst the whitewashed buildings were a bit mesmerizing…and some what stinky. Rare things amongst the vendors of the Medina. Next stop was the spice market/apothecary where we were able to sample some great lotions & oils…and some of us enjoyed a nice neck massage in the process. Can’t post what people bought as they are gifts! J Off to lunch we went to have some kebabs & couscous, while being entertained by a fire dancer. Still winding our way through the Medina (and having lost alllll sense of directions) we stopped in a rug store to see their merchandise…and do some haggling. Some were successful in their bargaining…others, not so much, but what a great experience! Last stop were some stalls with all sorts of odds & ends of trinkets and goodies. Then back to the ferry port & ‘home’ we went.

All in all, the kids REALLY enjoyed the day!! I think they appreciated home a little more…and were able to learn about a whole new culture that is a stark contrast from their own.

After sprinting to dinner, we had to head back to the Australian place for a Coke/Fanta/Smoothie/Water… but more importantly, some free Wi-Fi. More World Cup action…we caught the tail end of Costa Rica beating Uruguay. Next up was England & Italy…you can hear the crowds in the streets from the rooms as there are MANY, MANY, MANY Brits down here in Costa del Sol. No need to watch the game, you’ll hear the celebrating in the streets.

Tomorrow, we get to sleep in until 7:30…sometimes it’s the simple things in life…and head north to Sevilla. Hard to believe it’s been a week since we left…and that we sadly have one week to go…Guess we’d better enjoy our remaining Spanish Fiesta!!

Until next time…

~steph J