Bittersweet Journey from Meknes to Tangier

The morning of May 25th was bittersweet. I woke up to my final breakfast with my homestay family, knowing it was time to say goodbye to the people who had cared for me over the past ten days and supported me as I adjusted to Moroccan culture. Sakina, our homestay mother, and Azzia, the family helper who became like a second mother to us, sat in quiet reflection as Daisha and I finished our last meal at their table. The energy in the room was heavy with emotion, even though the sun was shining brightly, the mood was somber.

Before leaving, we gave our host family small tokens of appreciation. Sakina received a Chicago mug and a bottle of perfume, and for Azzia, we picked out a beautiful purple hijab that matched the colors she often wore. They walked us to the bus pickup location, and we hugged them tightly one last time. Around us, other families and students were saying their own goodbyes, some with tears. As we boarded the bus, it truly hit me that this chapter was coming to a close.

Daisha & I are with our homestay moms, Sakina and Azzia.

Our next destination was Chefchaouen, famously known as “The Blue City.” The drive there took us through stunning landscapes, rolling green hills and towering mountain ranges. The road’s twists and turns left me and a few others feeling a bit carsick, but the nausea faded once we caught our first glimpse of the blue-washed city. The fresh scenery felt like a reset for my senses.

Upon arrival, we stepped into the warmth of an 80-degree day and began a guided tour of the old city medina. Chefchaouen is known for its striking blue architecture, but I learned that the city was originally white with limestone to symbolize purity and peace, as well as for practical reasons like heat reflection and insect prevention. It wasn’t until the 1970s, following Moroccan independence and the arrival of Jewish immigrants, that the tradition of painting the town blue truly began.

Chefchaouen city view from the coach bus.

Medina Market Center with restaurants.

The medina was alive with energy; locals and tourists alike filled the narrow streets, shopping, snapping photos, and indulging in a blend of Moroccan, seafood, and even Italian cuisine. Built into the hills, the city’s many staircases added an extra layer of adventure (and effort) to the day. Between the sun and the climbs, we were all seeking shade and running low on energy by the end of the tour.

Afterward, we had free time to explore and shop. I picked up a few more souvenir magnets, a jewelry box, and some bracelets to remember this vibrant place. Once we wrapped up, we returned to the bus and headed to our hotel in Tangier.

Medina souvenir shop

The Blue City

Later that evening, we grabbed dinner at McDonald’s for something quick and familiar. To our surprise, Moroccan McDonald’s tasted noticeably different, less artificial than what we're used to back home, which made for a pleasant experience. After dinner, we headed back to the hotel and called it a night.

That day marked the end of one journey and the beginning of another, a heartfelt farewell to Meknes and a refreshing new start in Tangier.

Me on the coach bus fighting off the nausea 😂.

Signing off,

Summer Harris