Entering the Mosque
by jujub
I tried to go inside the mosque, but got barred at the door... not sure as to why, if it is because I'm a woman or a foreigner... In any case, if you do make it in, you must take off your sandals... here is a picture i took from the door (eheheheh)... the guard there was very serious about not letting me in... =(
This is what we saw of ALI...
by pjallittle
This is what we saw of ALI most of the time as he kept up a no nonsense and no dawdling pace. What few people know about these Senior Guides is that they have a regular source of guaranteed income. The various shopkeepers and restaurants have a system much like a collective and both sponsor and pay these guides to bring customers.
Something that I'm sure you must have figured out by now. It is a prevalent practice in these areas, it's all about money. Tourism is a very major component of the continuing existence of these highly interesting areas.
It is important, therefore, that you view your purchases as being a major contribution to the well being of the community. There, don't you feel better now?
If you run into someone like...
by pjallittle
If you run into someone like this, you'll know that you spent too much time in the desert, have had your mint tea spiked or your whole trip to TANGIER was just a dream and you are now just sequencing into another.
Typical common sense precautions prevail. Your are in a country which takes their religion very seriously. All of us should observe their customs and respect them. Having spent only one day here, I am not the best person to ask. Query VT members who live there, you will get a more valid answer.
More to the point, addressing the ladies, don't even think of dressing like this! On the beach, okay.
Royal Palace
by matcrazy1
I think that every even smaller city in Morocco had at least one its own Royal Palace.
They are usually located in the cleanest area of each city or rather opposite: the areas around every Royal Palace are well-kept and always clean. The same in Casablanca where the Royal Palace is located behind tall wall in La Nouvelle Medina (Quartier des Habous).
There is no possibility to enter the Palace, more: even taking pics is forbidden as you could see on my picture :-). Sorry, the palace was behind this wall and gate on the picture - no way to see anything more, should I learn to fly?
Hmm.. I was not a paparazzi to spy a king. And there were so many royal palaces in Morocco, who knows in which of them was the king that time?
Driving in Casablanca
by matcrazy1
Driving in Casablanca was rather easy, the main streets were wide and quite comfortable.
Like in the whole Morocco do not forget to over-use your car horn :-). And remember to drive on the right side of the road even if you are a Brit and even if you find some natives driving more left then right :-).
Driving was easier than parking: finding a place to park a car was a little more difficult especially in the center/downtown and in Nouvelle Medina.
I found the main narrow street in Nouvelle Medina jammed and I had to look for a parking lot maybe 10-15 min. (this was the longest time in Morocco haha).
In front of Hassan II mosque I stopped on this wide avenue on the picture (Boulevard Sour Jdid).