05.14.2019 update from Casablanca

Casablanca!! WOO-HOO!  The big goal of the trip, the place John especially wanted to see.  Plus, it is our first time setting foot on the African continent.  We arrived at 7am and it was already hot.  We docked in a working port and it was dusty.  They are expanding the port to include a cruise ship terminal which will be nice.

We received many warning concerning Casablanca including that there are pickpockets and really old nasty busses.  We had an excursion on a really nice, modern bus with air conditioning.  But we did see the ones we were warned about.  The warnings were not sufficient to prepare for the sight of the old busses.  And they stunk of diesel.  We didn’t have a pickpocket activity but there were a couple of rather sketchy characters that followed the group in the only seedy part of town that we were on foot in.

We started out at the Hassan II Mosque, the third largest in the world.  The minaret is 203 meters high.  The whole of the mosque is really impressive, marble floors, marble pillars, cedar though out and a moveable ceiling.  Like a sports stadium!

We drove through the rich area; the guide referred to is as Casablanca’s Beverly Hills.  We went to Mohammed V square, the square where the Casablanca administrative buildings are located.  We were to go then to the Central Market for shopping but didn’t.  There was a fair amount of angst from some passengers over this.  Then we were to go on to the Habbous Quarter for more shopping.  We didn’t.  More angst.  We did go to a Catholic church, a rare thing here.  Only one percent of the citizens are Christian.

We ended up in the United Nations Square where we did get to shop a bit.  We got our postcards and Christmas tree ornament.  Free!  They gave them to us.  Oh, we did buy a carpet.  John was seen feeling one and the salesman was on him instantly.  “Come to the basement where the good stuff is”, he said.  We didn’t have much time but John immediately saw a carpet runner that will look fine in the hallway at home.  Luckily this was a government, fixed price, establishment so no haggling was allowed.  But the price was fine and it was made in Morocco.  So, it was wrapped into a tight little bundle and will go home in a suitcase. 

Tomorrow is Cadiz, the port for Seville.  More later.

Colleen and John