Fes
Looking back, we started off the Morocco leg of our trip with the most undeveloped/rustic city. Fes has a walled-off medina (old town) that dates back to the medieval ages, and walking through it with a guide it seemed like nothing much had changed. We hired a guide, but the countless twists and turns, narrow alleyways, made our first experience in a medina a blur. We would stop at a notable sight such as a mosque or shop, stay there for like 10 minutes, then rapidly move on to the next sight through a bunch of narrow alleyways. Our guide was pretty funny, saying stuff like “Moroccan dates are like Viagra”, and also pretty knowledgeable with history which allowed us to learn a lot about Morocco. Reflecting on Fes, the day went by so fast that it’s quite hard to remember all the places we went to – I wish I had taken a video but I was so focused on the surroundings and our guide that I didn’t.
Donkeys everywhere.
Inside of a mosque, but obviously only Muslims could go in.
Typical alleyway, well the narrowness of it at least. Here are some clothes being dyed.
A view of part of the Medina
Used to be a market. The weight in the front was badass.
Yah, that’s a camel head. I debated on whether or not to show this, but it was too cool not to post it.
Rabat
Compared to Fes, Rabat the capital of Morocco was a lot tamer. Nathan and I basically finished looking at the sites in a day when we had budgeted 2 days for it. Nathan also had stomach problems so it was a good time to unwind, chill out, talk to our girlfriends, and taste some Moroccan delicacies as well as common meals.
Challah, remains of Roman-era town/fort. On the top of that minaret to the right are some stork’s nests- pretty cool.
Underground tombs – apparently there are eels in there. Folklore says that woman who are infertile should throw eggs in there so that eels will eat it. (umm…symbol for human’s reproductive system)
View of the Kasbah, supposedly a self contained city, from our rowboat.
That’s rotisserie chicken, fries, rice, sauce, and soda – common meal for them. I had it 3 meals in a row; needless to say I got sick of it. Never thought I could get sick of fries and rotisserie chicken.
A Moroccan delicacy – pastilla. I had it for my main course, and thats powdered sugar on top of a pastry filled with nuts, chicken/pigeon, onions, and other stuff. It was tasty, although kind of weird that I was having a sweet main course.
Casablanca
Casablanca – the notable tourist site is the Mosque Hassan II. Third largest mosque in the world. Highest minaret. Retractable ceilings. Electric doors. Escalators. And yes, it’s a mosque.
We also had a stroll along a waterfront 5 km outside the city center, where expats and rich folk hang out. I was pleasantly surprised to see a TGI Friday’s there – man I love that chain. We didn’t eat there, but got some freshly grilled fish instead, since we were next to the waterfront and it seemed the right thing to do. We stayed one night in Casablanca, and that was more than enough.
Huge Mosque.
Yah, the ceiling is retractable in 3 minutes. Technology and religion mixed together is a beautiful thing.
Had myself some mint tea and chilled. With sugar it was kind of like drinking spearmint gum. Delicious.
Next Up? Marrakesh!
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