We are able to walk around the courtyard but are not allowed to go inside.
NOTE: to go in, you had to be part of a tour. This is one of the few mosques that non-muslims can visit.
December 28, 2006
Casablanca
| Ah....
Casablanca. Well - it is far from the romantic, smoky city of the 1942
Humphrey Bogart movie. It is a very large city (~3.5 million people), busy,
confusing (still no street signs), dirty, and with few tourist attractions.
I'm sure that some love it - but it certainly isn't our favorite.
We arrive in the morning, make a lot of wrong turns and find our hotel. We take a walk around the city (see pictures). When we came back, a "friend" started to talk to us. He spoke decent English and explained how he had lived in Canada and enjoyed speaking in English. He took us to a cafe and we drank some mint tea. He complained bitterly at life, talked about the Moroccan culture, offered to take us to various places (we politely refused) and, as we were leaving, asked for us to buy him a beer. Once again: "friendly" with "upsell" and a request for a "tip". Casablanca is the largest port in Morocco - so we have seafood at a very nice restaurant. It is excellent. Despite our good meal, we quickly leave the city the next morning. Feel free to right click and "Save As..." pictures you especially like for personal use. For the high resolution original, email me at logrus101 at yahoo dot com. We humbly ask for credit. If you are linking to these or using them for non-personal use, ask permission at the same email address. ^_^ |
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One common sight (and smell) of Morocco is the burning of garbage. The wafting odor of burning plastic is prevalent along the roads in and out of Casablanca. |
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Boys playing soccer in the middle of the street. They skillfully learn to maneuver the ball as cars drive down the street and continue playing! |
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If they aren't playing soccer, then they are riding the backs of unsuspecting trucks.... |
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A cafe in honor of the 1942 movie! It made us think of our NJ friend Rick. |
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Casablanca is home to the second largest mosque in the world:
Hassan
II Mosque. This mosque overlooks the Atlantic and is adjacent to the
port. It was completed in 1993 and cost between 500 and 800 million US$
to build. We are able to walk around the courtyard but are not allowed to go inside. NOTE: to go in, you had to be part of a tour. This is one of the few mosques that non-muslims can visit. |
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Almost every surface of the mosque is covered with elaborate decorations ... |
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... beautiful arches... |
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... an amazing interior (we can't go in - so this is from the door looking in).... |
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... a very tall tower (minerat) (210 meters or 689 feet) ... |
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... and, like in other mosques we've seen, impressive doors .... |
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Unfortunately the mosque was built right next to slums. Many people were displaced from their homes to make room for the mosque. This scene is less than 100 meters from the plaza.... |
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Casablanca is a very large port. This crab was delicious and affordable. |