October 25 Casablanca Morocco

Headed off towards the city today. On the way there were many big old houses that would have been really something in the time. Some still look great. I could not tell if occupied or not. I walked through the Mohamed V park. It has seen better days. There are several kids rides but I don't think they have worked in several years. I sure in its time this was a busy place. Then by an abandoned mosque. This was a first. There also seem to be some Roman ruins nearby that have been incorporated into a modern sculpture of arches.

Today was an easy day. Lots of coffee, sweets and a fair bit of walking.


October 24 Casablanca Morocco

Today I headed off in the direction of the ancient medina. Along the way I saw a couple of fresh chicken stalls..... so fresh the chickens were still alive! I did not stick around to see if they butchered them on the spot when you bought one. Also saw a couple of grain mills. I guess you bring your grain in and they will grind it for you. Once again fresh food!

Found the medina, and not much different than any of the others. So I headed towards the main centre of the city. It probably took just over an hour. I found the tram line and jumped on. I only went a couple of stops and got off to have something to eat. I walked along the tracks a bit towards Mohamed V park. Found the start but decided to get back on the tram line and go to the beach. It probably took about 30 minutes.

The tram went through some high density housing and then into an area that is just being developed. Cranes everywhere. It looks like condos and hotels as it it near the beach. Got off and headed up along the beach. A lot of restaurants, hotels and cafes. Some very nice, some not so nice - they look abandoned. I got to the mall and had a coffee before heading back to apartment.

Near the centre it was easy to see it was more touristy. I was staring at the tourists! Also I was getting harassed! No shopping just looking and talking. Come see the Berber co-op. No need to buy. No thanks!!!!! Just kept walking.


October 23 Casablanca Morocco

Eased into the day. I headed out early afternoon. The street was completely blocked off in 1 direction with men praying. They were even on the sidewalk, each of them with their prayer mats. There were also lots sitting on the curb. It was really something to see. There were 100s of men. It is Friday, apparently first the weekly lesson and then the prayers.

I decided to head to the water in the other direction today. I wanted something to eat but as it was Friday restaurants are not serving food, only coffee and drinks. So I kept walking. I ended up at the ocean and right there is the Hussein II Mosque, built out into the water. It is huge! And the minaret must be the tallest building in the city. Very impressive. Still needing food I head towards the mall, thinking that the food court would be open. It was. Sadly, Burger King! Filled the hole but that is about the best I can say. I also went for a coffee at the same place as the other day. I teased them that they should have a Canadiano not Americano and the just laughed. We had joked about this the first time I was in. I guess as the only tourist around, I am easy to remember.

On the way back near apartment I was crossing the street and got stopped by Ahmed, the parking guy. He was standing in the middle of the street. His English was the best I have heard in ages. He just wanted to talk. I am supposed to meet him tomorrow for coffee and will find out where he learned his English as he is even using some slang phrases. Interesting as he is the person that is making sure traffic is kept moving by making sure people do not park in the middle of the street and yet he has very good English.

There were also a couple of football (soccer) games going on, in the street! No different than hockey games I guess.
Dinner in tonight.Sandwiches with cheese and bread from the shop next door. The guy there is funny. He tells me the price in French, sometimes he has to show me. And then teaches me how to say, and then I teach him how to say in English. It has been very interesting staying here. There are no other white guys around so I get lots of looks but people are very friendly. I am sure that today at the ocean I was included in a selfie!