National Historic Landmark: Shining the Legation’s Plaque

Number of US National Historic Landmarks: fewer than 2,500 Number located outside the United States: 1 Location: Tangier, Morocco Name: American Legation (TALIM) – – – – – – – We are proud of our designation as the only US National Historic Landmark located outside the United States.  So it was only natural that we … Read more National Historic Landmark: Shining the Legation’s Plaque


Keeping an Eye on the Strait of Gibraltar

On Saturday 11 December HM King Mohammed VI inaugurated the Tangier maritime traffic control centre (CSTM), which will contribute to improving maritime traffic efficiency and protecting the environment in the Gibraltar Strait.  The Tangier centre is the first in the Arab world and Africa to be mandated by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) as a … Read more Keeping an Eye on the Strait of Gibraltar


Disco Time at the Legation’s Cistern Chapel

Sometimes, it takes an entomologist. At right, that's Jay Nixon, Board Certified Entomologist with American Pest Management, Inc., sent to TALIM courtesy of the State Department's Overseas Building Operations (OBO).  Jay believes in the top to bottom approach in surveying our more than two century old building for insect problems. Bottom means bottom.  In this … Read more Disco Time at the Legation’s Cistern Chapel


Incredible Shrinking Museum

Last week I told you that the crime scene tape was coming up: well, I didn't find the yellow variety, but red and white stripes will do just fine. I don't want this to be a one-note blog, but these days of torrential rains and raw weather has put building concerns front and center.  Try … Read more Incredible Shrinking Museum


Visit Tangier, Send $ to Tucson

We like the new TALIM poster, which made its debut at the AIMS booth at MESA last week in San Diego.  It has a nice '30s travel touch. Yes, we do hope you visit Tangier and TALIM.  You can experience the '30s – both the 1930s and the 1830s.  The Legation has seen it all. … Read more Visit Tangier, Send $ to Tucson


Tangier is Enchanted by Diana Wylie’s Book

Vicariously, I experienced the First Regional Book Fair in Tangier through updates from TALIM's Associate Director.  According to Yhtimad Bouziane (here with Tangier's new mayor Fouad El Omari and Book Fair organizer Rachid Amahjour as they visited the Legation stand), it was a great opportunity to network and do lots of outreach, while selling a … Read more Tangier is Enchanted by Diana Wylie’s Book


Reclaiming America’s Legation: One Roof, One Room At a Time

Americans, when they hear the term "roofing," may think of flimsy shingles nailed into plywood.  A weekend project for do-it-yourself carpenters. Not Tangier. Think concrete.  Think layers.  Many layers, like those encountered by an archeologist digging down into a Middle Eastern tell.  Unearthing layers of valiant attempts to combat Tangier's notorious rains, which, as novelist … Read more Reclaiming America’s Legation: One Roof, One Room At a Time


TALIM’s Moment In the Sun?

Good publicity is almost as good as cash in the bank.  So we were very pleased to be listed in the top 10 organizations to be highlighted in the upcoming "Summit" in Washington on Citizen Cultural Diplomacy.  If it brings us much-needed funding, all the better.  If not, well, we can bask in the glory. … Read more TALIM’s Moment In the Sun?


Enchanting Book On America’s Legation

It’s out.  Diana Wylie’s book Enchantment: Pictures From the Tangier American Legation Museum.  And it’s a beauty.  At left, Diana shows me a chapter on Tangier’s International Zone era, from the galley proof of her book. In the book world, you shouldn’t judge solely by covers.  Not only is Boston University Professor Wylie’s book full … Read more Enchanting Book On America’s Legation


Arabic: Speaking 5, Reading 0

Imagine this: you reach the age of, say, 35, and you’re driving down the expressway with the kids in the back seat. You get hopelessly lost a half hour from home.  You decide, then and there, to sign up at the program offered by the Tangier American Legation Institute for Moroccan Studies, TALIM. The course?  … Read more Arabic: Speaking 5, Reading 0