Yarrr. Here be an olde map of Tangier, and the Strait of Gibraltarrr…
How fitting that I was just given a copy of The Alchemist two days ago. I’m in Tangier right now, getting ready to head to Spain and leave Morocco behind, at least for now. The best thing about the Olmsted program is the vast network of scholars that are populating the world at all times. Not to ever take a single one of them for granted, I must express my sincere appreciation for our intrepid Army scholar who showed us such a good time in her country of study.
So to exercise what little Arabic that I have learned in the past couple of days:
Christina شكرا
Yesterday we departed Fez to head back to Rabat. We made a stop along the way to check out Volubilis, an UNESCO World Heritage and archaeological site that offers some of the best-preserved Roman ruins in northern Africa. Volubilis, founded in the third century B.C., was an important outpost for the Roman Empire. You all know I am not big on details, so you can use your Google skills and learn more about the site if you so inclined. I like pictures, so here are some snapshots of the site:
Don’t look up! You’ll just get dizzy, or blinded by the midday Moroccan sun…
Okay, I took about six hundred photos of this site, but I think you get the idea.
The last seal you thought you’d see mounted on a medina wall.
Moving right along, we made another historical stop today that was a bit more tangible for my small brain. We visited the American Legation in Tangier. If you’re like me, you’re asking yourself, “What’s a legation?”
In the medina (Arabic for ‘city’), you wander your way past all sorts of vendors and come across this outpost of American property.
According to my trusty Macbook, a legation is defined as the official residence of a diplomatic minister- in this case it’s the precursor to the embassies that I now know and love so well. The legation in Tangier was the first American public property outside of the United States, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places- the first such listing or designation in a foreign country.
Fun trivia question: Do you know which country was the first to recognize the United States back in December 1777? That’s right- Morocco. Pretty cool huh? On display in the legation is a letter from George Washington that was sent to the Emperor of Morocco, essentially thanking Morocco for its support and telling him that his newly-established country may lack resources, but is full of industrious people. I guess you could say that.
Now, I could show you some stuffy pictures of the neat-o building – but instead I am going to post three pics that I took of a transcribed letter written back in 1839 that we found absolutely hilarious. It’s sent from the American Consul to the State Department, essentially telling them how he was unable to refuse the gift of two lions from the Sultan of Morocco. The best portion of the letter explains how, after informing Morocco that he couldn’t accept such gifts, they said that they would release the lions into the streets in front of the embassy. Anyway, you’ll need to click on each pic to blow them up- but it’s a grae
They need to teach this stuff in school!
So now we jet-setters are batting away catcalls in Tangier, and waiting to hop the ferry tomorrow morning.
As a bonus, Spain beat Germany tonight, so we’ll be in town for the World Cup final. Inch’allah, this next portion will yield many more excellent memories.