Tangier, Morocco

Typical inshore fishing boat

Modern Tangier

Cap Spartel - the most north western tip of Africa

Under reduced sail

Cantering up before the race

Hercules cave in the shape of Africa

Inside Hercules cave

Fish without chips

Spice

Doors add appeal to the medina

Tangine Poulet?

Football Morrocan style

Goalposts with modern Tangier beyond

Tangier lived up to all our expectations – both the good and the bad. The most lasting impression for me was the extent of poverty. Seeing thin young children hawking goods during school time and the constant appeals from beggars and lepers was heart rendering.

Tangier appears dominated by men. Cafes, sport and even some streets see men outnumber women by a ratio of approximately 50:1. The number of men standing around in the poorer part of the city doing nothing, was extraordinary. Efficiency is also lacking, many jobs that one person could have done required two.

The markets, aromas, colours, architecture, dust, noise and hustling will be an unforgettable experience. Market stalls predominantly sold fruit, vegetables, fish, fabrics, ceramics and tourist trinkets. Food was cheap and tasty – about NZ$4.00 for a meal.

The countryside was surprisingly green, lovely beaches, particularly on the Atlantic coast.

The history of Tangier is most interesting. Contrary to our belief the Arabic people were not the indigenous race. The Berbers were the tangata whenua, followed by the Phonecians, then in 45AD the Romans arrived, only to be ousted in 702AD by the Arabs. The Portuguese took the city in 1451 before giving it away as a dowry to the English (Charles 2nd) in 1662. The English did not last long, being defeated by Islamic forces in 1680. In the 20th century the city was under Spanish, French and English rule before Morocco's sovereignty in 1956.

As teachers it was interesting to witness the behaviour of students and the behaviour management techniques utilised by teachers. Naughty, almost out of control boys were creating havoc in a range of settings. On a class trip teachers dealt with this behaviour, somewhat ineffectually, by pulling their ears!

An improvement?