We left our French family Rachel,Gilles,
Ludovic and Yaëlle at the Riad in Safi and
made our way up to Dar Bouzza, just about
30 minutes south of Casablanca, with
Mary and Steve.
The Braussen's were heading up to Al Jadida
as Gilles had to work for a couple of days.
Actually, Gilles was working the entire time he
was on holiday; this is the
downside to cell phone technology.
We stopped along the way at an outdoor restaurant/butcher shop!
100 dirhams = 10 euros 
Ludovic and Yaëlle at the Riad in Safi and
made our way up to Dar Bouzza, just about
30 minutes south of Casablanca, with
Mary and Steve.
The Braussen's were heading up to Al Jadida
as Gilles had to work for a couple of days.
Actually, Gilles was working the entire time he
was on holiday; this is the
downside to cell phone technology.
 |
| on the road again with the sheep accompanying us |
 |
| tiny villages along the way |
 |
| eating out takes on a whole new meaning |
You first order the cut of meat you want (no pork here)
and then take the meat to the next
The complete lack of representional
art is quite noticeable,
We finally caught a taxi into town and Mary took us
counter to have it cooked.
We arrived, exhausted, at Mary and Steve's, grateful
 |
| cats our ever present, begging under your table |
We arrived, exhausted, at Mary and Steve's, grateful
for a quiet reprise. The Donohoe's live in a gated
community bordering the ocean;
As a woman, walking along the road in Morocco,
 |
| on the road just outside the Gated Community |
 |
| Mary's totem turtle living in her yard waiting for strawberries |
 |
| view from the upstairs bedroom balcony at Mary and Steve's |
As a woman, walking along the road in Morocco,
horns are often honking; not a pleasant feeling.
Mary drove Alec and I to Casablanca,
 |
| on the road near Mary and Steve's |
 |
| looking into Mary and Steve's from the front hall |
parking just outside the city. You take your life
into your hands driving in Casa and to preserve
that life it is wise to hire a taxi. Mary parked
the car and we walked a bit to catch a taxi.
"Casablanca (a city of 4 million) was founded by the Berber
fishermen in 10 century BC." Now that's old!
http://wikitravel.org/en/Casablanca#b
"Casablanca (a city of 4 million) was founded by the Berber
fishermen in 10 century BC." Now that's old!
http://wikitravel.org/en/Casablanca#b
 |
| Mariah coming to Morocco |
 |
| I can see me driving one of these |
 |
| largest mall in Morocco and no I did not go in.....I don't even go to Valley View! |
 |
| taxi drive to Mosque Hassan II in Casablanca |
All for the glory of Allah, the Hassan II Mosque is
truly a spectacular edifice designed by French architect
Michel Pinseau and created by thousands of artisans using
mainly local materials found in Morocco.
Apparently the land upon which the Mosque
stands was originally on "land reclaimed
(without compensation to former residents) from
a run-down area near the sea."
Recently the mosque opened its doors to visitors and
I'm certainly glad she did.
outside the mosque.....
 |
| main prayer hall |
 |
| the fine craftsmanship of 6,000 artisans is evident everywhere |
 |
| my oh so Catholic son, "do the Muslims have saints?" |
art is quite noticeable,
especially if you have seen the Sistine Chapel. 
I must say, though our world has suffered
deplorable atrocities throughout the centuries
in the name of "religion," we have also
benefited from beautiful architecture,
magnificent art and fabulous music, all in
the name of religion.
,
After our visit to the mosque we walked along
 |
| hamman, communal bath beneath the mosque |
 |
| fountains beneath the mosque for ablutions before prayer |
 |
| across from the Mosque |
 |
| hanging laundry on the road just next to the Mosque |
After our visit to the mosque we walked along
the main road a bit, trying to flag a taxi.
Our taxi driver was quite interesting;
"Morocco is a beautiful country and so our
her people....they simply lack discipline!"
This is definitely obvious in the amount of
trash piling up everywhere.
 |
| Police waiting for the King |
 |
| Mary and the Police waiting for the King |
to a lovely, little restaurant for lunch.
 |
| colourful tagines decorating a wall |
 |
| Mary and Alec No such thing as "fast food" here....it takes awhile for the meal to arrive |
Mary's friend Catharine joined us and after lunch
we went to the Habous, a much smaller and
calmer market than the Medina in Marrakech.
 |
| Catharine and Mary tasting olives |
 |
| Mary's favourite olive guy |
 |
| Buying figs |
The Braussen's joined us for the final day
at Mary and Steve's; Mary put Alec on
the task of making Rice Crispies with
caramel and chocolate....a big hit with
everyone.
A final note. While visiting Morocco I noticed
a lot of cafés frequented only by men. 
Walking past these
cafés can be rather intimidating
as the men are rather obvious
in their appraisal of you.
"In Morocco there is essentially no such thing as
a non working woman. Even if she does not
go out and earn money, she cooks, cleans,
takes care of the kids, etc. In contrast,
unemployed men abound-they sit at the cafes day
We hired another car and driver to take
us back to Marrackech and then
we flew back to Paris the next day.
After a 4 hour drive home to Lessy
and Scy Chazelles I slept
for two days!
Morocco truly is a land
with a thousand faces.
No comments:
Post a Comment