DAY THREE (September 15, 2016) After almost two days of sleep and jet-lag recovery I begin to venture out into the city. Tetouan City (Pronounced Tet-Won) is known as the "White Dove", a symbol of peace. The city, with its buildings painted mostly in white, is rich in cultural diversity and beautiful food. The cultural heritage comes from an intersection of the original people of this region who hail from the Andalusian area and the influx of African, Spanish, and Arab populations. The French referred to the original people as "Berber", which means Barbarian in French, however the people refer to themselves as "Amazigh" (Pronounced Ama-zien). Here they speak a dialect of Arabic known as " Derija". It is a challenging language for me, but I am learning a few words and phrases that will allow me to interact with the locals better. Evening is when the citizens come out for tea, shopping, and conversation; Men dominating the coffee shops with Women interacting mainly during home visits. The King's palace in Tetouan is beautiful at night as lights brighten the beautiful Moroccan Coat of Arms.
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Photo by Rachel Pearcy of GOA
AuthorIdris Hassan Archives
October 2016
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