We woke up early Saturday morning and padded down for a quick breakfast before heading out for the day. On the way to our first stop, we took a break to have a deeks at a beautiful vista overlooking a river. (It could have been a lake, I honestly had no idea what exactly it was, it was just super pretty). // Nos levantamos temprano por la mañana de sábado. Comemos desayuno y nos fuimos para empezar otro día de actividades. En camino, paramos para ver una vista super linda de un lago. 

Our first stop of the day was Chefchaouen, otherwise known as The Blue City or The Blue Pearl. No-one knows for sure why the city is painted blue. One theory is that blue is a sacred colour for Jews, and Tangier has a diverse mix of Muslims, Jews and Catholics. Another, is that the colour blue keeps away mosquitos. The final theory, and the one I think is most probable, is that it’s purely for tourism. Either way, the 50 shades of blue, speckled with white in some places with people milling about is absolutely beautiful. // Llegamos en Chefchaouen, conocido como la Ciudad Azul. Nadie sabe porque las calles son pintadas azul, pero hay 3 teorías. Uno es que azul es un color especial para los Judios. Otro, es que el color azul protege contra los mosquitos. La última razón, que para mi parece lo más probable, es para el turismo. De todas formas, es una ciudad hermosa.

After a tour through the narrow, winding, blue hued streets, we stopped to eat and shop! I am terrible at haggling. The prices they quote me seem super cheap to start with, so I feel almost rude asking them to go any lower. My friend is top haggler so I just let her do her thing. The locals in Chefchaouen were super warm and friendly and their language knowledge is incredible. Arabic and French are official languages in Morocco but due to it’s proximity with Spain, (only 14km away), everyone in Tangier speaks Spanish too.  //  Después de un tour a través de las calles angostas y azules, comimos y fuimos de compras! No puedo baratear para nada, entonces pedí a mi amiga para hacerlo. Los locales en Chefchaouen son muy amables y su conocimiento de idiomas es increíble. Árabe y Frances son los idiomas oficiales de Marruecos, pero debido a la proximidad a España, todo el mundo en Tánger habla Español también.

I would definitely say that Chefchaouen was one of my favourite parts of the trip! // Diría que Chefchaouen fue uno de mis partes favoritos del viaje.

We hopped back onto the bus and travelled 1h30 north of Chefchaouen to Tétouan. Stepping off the bus, I felt like I was back in Spain. Our new guide, Mohammed, (are you seeing a trend here? I learnt that it’s custom to name the first born son Mohammed, hence the popularity), told us that when the Moors were kicked out of Spain they went to Tétouan, thus the similarity in architecture. // 1h30 al norte de Chefchaouen, llegamos en Tétouan que parece muy similar a España. Nuestra guía nos dijo que cuando los Moros fueron expulsados de España, se fueron a Tétouan, por lo tanto, las similaridades en la arquitectura. 

Walking through the medina in Tétouan is not a tourist experience, nor is it for anyone with a weak stomach. There was fish, not on ice. There was cheese, not refrigerated. There was hundreds of live chickens in cages, next to their dead brothers and sisters who were hung up for sale. I would say 90% of the group were converted to vegetarianism after that walk. It was honestly a sensory overload but this was like the medina on the first day, it was about seeing the authentic Morocco and not just the touristy parts. // Andar a través de la medina en Tétouan no es una experiencia turística ni para los que no tienen un estámago fuerte. Había pescado, queso y pollo no refrigerado. Pienso que 90% del grupo se hizo vegetarian después de esto. 

Coming out of the medina leads out to the entrance of the palace of the King of Morocco. There are photos of the King everywhere. In the hotel, in shops, even in the club we went to! He’s highly respected and loved as he is the highest Imam, but he forms a constitutional monarchy, that’s to say, there is a democratic Moroccan government. // Vimos el palacio del Rey de Marruecos. Hay fotos del Rey en todos partes porque la gente lo respecto mucho porque el Rey es el Imám más alta.

(I apologise, I forgot to take decent photos of the tent and dinner)

After a long day, we headed back to the hotel to freshen up for dinner. Dinner was held in a huge marquee, with traditional Moroccan decor. We saw a show whilst eating with dancers and musicians.
The company I was travelling with had organised a night out for everyone to celebrate our final night. It was in a club right next to the hotel and we had our own private room, which put me at ease seeing as this would be my first ‘out out’ experience since January. I didn’t drink anything and ended up staying out until 2! It was actually a perfect opportunity to ease me back into being in a club environment. I couldn’t not go. How many chances will I get to turn up with some lit Americans in a VIP space in Morocco?! // Comimos la cena en una carpa que tuvo la decoración tradicional. Hubo un espectáculo con músicos y bailadores. La empresa, con quien estaba viajando, habia organizado una noche en una discoteca a lado del hotel. Fue una noche divertida y una buena manera de moverme con cuidado a salir otra vez.

Side note: On the first day, a group of girls went to the shop to buy water and they were actually followed by a group of men sleazing over them, so I wouldn’t say it’s safe to backpack or really go as an all female group to Morocco. I would love to return and do Marrakech and Casablanca, but I would recommend going on an organised trip, like I did, or going as a mixed gender group. // Me gustaría regresar a Marruecos y visitar a Marrakech y Casablanca. Al primer día, un grupo de chicas fueron a la tienda para comprar agua, y fueron seguidas por un grupo de hombres. Por eso, aconsejaría que las chicas van en un viaje organizado o en un grupo con una mezcla de sexos.

At the beginning of the year I had planned to go on the trip, but after January I didn’t think I’d be able to. I’m so proud of myself for just plucking up the courage, taking the opportunity and going. I’m so grateful and thankful for the chance to go and have this experience. It was honestly an incredible and unforgettable trip and it makes me so excited to keep exploring more places. // Al principio del año, tuve ganas de ir al viaje, pero después de Enero no pensaba que yo podría. Por eso, estoy orgullosa de mi-misma. Fue un viaje increíble y inolvidable. 

Shukran Tangier! // Gracias Tánger!