h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I'd like to add to manamandem's comments.
I found his post interesting because I, like him, am a Moroccan although not homegrown!

I'm in Tangiers as I write this and tend to agree with him about the notion that Tangiers may very well have the negative reputation portrayed by the original h2g2 review, becuase of the influence of foriegners or the ex pat community that resided here during the post war years.
My one problem with the Tangiers of today is that, from what I can see, it still clings to the inherited debauched past, only these days it seems to be perpetuated by, either the indigenous visitors from other Moroccan cities desperate to become part of a global community being fed by McDonalds and listening to loud and, to be frank, long since outdated, european dance music, or the vast majority (not all) of the returning diaspora on holiday from Holland, the UK, France et al.

I decided to come to Tangiers on holiday for a couple of weeks to get a little rest, but I regret that decision now as it seems that, like New York, New York it is a city that never sleeps. That's ok for the younger crowd who are searching for excitement, but I strongly suggest to anyone considering visiting that they should avoid the months of July and August if like me they are trying to get away from it all and get any sort of sleep!

Just so I don't sound like Victor Meldrew (ie miserable old git) the old Medina really tugs at my heart strings in a way that the more developed and modern areas can't manage. I also agree with manamandem that due to the excellent transport provision in Morocco, Tangiers is the perfect starting point for anyone wishing to travel on within Morocco, experiencing the history & culture of this wonderful country.

I'm going to come back later on in the year (insha'allah) as I found it a totally different place when I last visited a few Octobers ago, but for the time being let me finish by saying that, although I may come across as unrealistically sentimental, I hope that Tangiers and all the other major cities in Morocco eventually find their own identity and stop this ridiculous and sad clammering for membership of the Starbucks/Mcdees lifestyle that so blights most of the big cities of the developing world.

A very tired and bleary eyed Adel72.

Ta ra.