Casual in Casablanca

The ‘winter’ semester break started on the 15^th January and this just happened to coincide with Cheryl’s resignation from the UAE University. For a number of years we have been saying our European tour of 2004 was incomplete because we didn’t get to Spain. We just didn’t have the time and the original tour had exhausted the coffers. (In other words we had extended the mortgage to the equivalent of the GDP of a small nation!) So we had promised ourselves a return to Spain for many years. The travel director was on the case late last year and deals were struck to use up our frequent flyers with Etihad and head to Spain. Now unfortunately Etihad doesn’t fly to Spain directly and that meant searching for some creative flying patterns. We decided on Abu Dhabi to Casablanca, overland across Morocco, pick up a ferry somewhere in the north of Morocco to Spain and then to find an airline that would get us back to Morocco on time to fly back to Abu Dhabi by the 30^th January – the trip would take 12 days in all. One option was to include Portugal and to fly back to Casablanca from Lisbon in order to return to Abu Dhabi. So that was how the plan fell into place.

We arrived in Casablanca in the early morning after flying overnight from the UAE. Petit Taxis are the main form of transport within the city. I am sure (and this picture supports me) that they keep the taxis going by taking one part of of one and putting it in another! These tiny taxis were very cute, quite cramped for someone who is 6"4", but very efficient!

Our hotel – the JM Suites – was located within walking distance of the old town and Medina, the souks and the Hassan II Mosque. So after checking in and dropping off the bags (we were so proud of ourselves – backpacks with a COMBINED weight of 13 kg between us!) we headed off on foot to see what Casablanca had to offer. We were not disappointed and the rounding of every corner provided a new and different experience.

One of the first things we noticed was that people (and mostly the men) wore a garment called a ‘jalaba’. This is a garb that may be of any colour and some are patterned with stripes and checks. When the jalaba is worn with the hood up it creates the impression of an elf – or a wizard – depending on how tall the wearer is! The lower part is a gown similar to the khandora or dish-dash of the UAE. The upper part is a hood that stands up like a pixie cap. However it is common clothing for Morocco and is so typical that it can be seen in all Moroccan towns we visited. I think they were made of wool, possibly woven from goat or sheep, and they appeared to be waterproof and warm. Ron could not be convinced to buy one – we had to remember our pact on backpacks and no extra luggage!

We were wandering through the souk close to the old city and there were some very interesting stalls with shoes, spices, herbs, meat, lighting, clothing and all manner of items displayed on tables or hanging on walls. We met a man called Achmed who was charming and took us to many of the stalls and told us about what they were selling. He gave us directions to get out of the souks (thank heavens because we would have been totally lost!) and to follow the wall to the grand mosque of Casablanca – the Hassan II mosque. He also convinced Ron to buy some magic snake oil (just joking) and of course we feel he had an interest in being so friendly – but we also know that we benefitted fabulously from his advice and guidance and his charm. (Yes Wynne – we were probably swindled/ hoaxed … but we were happy to have the company and we didn’t feel too put on!)

After wandering the souks of the old town we headed for the Hassan II mosque which is located on the seafront. It is a magnificent building. Many of the mosques we have visited are beautiful, and their beauty usually lies in the tranquility and sanctity of them. The decorative tiles and carved finials, gates, entrance ways and etc. are spectacular at this mosque. In fact the mosque that is just near our place in Al Ain is built in the same style and has many of the same tiling features and decorative stonework.

A highlight for us in Casablanca was the Al Mounia Restaurant. It is a Moroccan restaurant that specialises in Moroccan cuisine. We both had tagines that were spectacular accompanied by Moroccan style salads and side dishes of olives and pickles. I am absolutely won over to tagine style cooking!

We enjoyed Casa but I have to say Morocco had lots more to offer and Casablanca was not the best of it for us…………..next is Marrakesh…………