The day started early here in Casablanca with most tours
leaving at 7:45am. We opted not to do a
tour as the majority of them not only left at the crack of dawn but also lasted
13 to 14 hours because they traveled to several other Moroccan cities. We instead decided to just walk into town
which took about 20 minutes mostly walking along the high wall separating the
town from the port. The port is massive with a very extensive trade business
going on. There were tankers and other industrial type vessels about and so
much work going on loading the ships with large cargo holders.
We got into town pretty easily and were approached by many
cab drivers to take private tours but we, like so many, just decided to venture
in on our own. The city is overwhelming
with the sheer volume of cars and also the dirty and debris that is everywhere.
It is sadly one of the dirtiest cities I’ve ever been to and there are so many
stray cats which was so upsetting for a cat lover like me. The city government
should be ashamed of themselves for not making this city a beautiful place to
walk as it would only benefit the local economy for tourists to want to spend
time here. I think they are trying as it seems there is a lot of construction
going on in the center making a walk way and planting palm trees and also lots
of construction going on in other parts of the city especially near the water
where there are several high rises being built. But it’s a poor place no matter
how you look at it.
We loved all the white traditional buildings which are so
exquisite but in front of all the buildings people have just thrown their trash
around. We sat in the Hyatt lobby so I could do email and mom could just
regroup from the walk into town. We met
a friendly young couple with from America and their two young daughters who are
living in Germany where the parents work. They also found the place
overwhelming and frustrating so they sat a bit in the lobby as well to find
some quiet time. Also Casablanca was 2 hours behind the time the boat is on so
when we departed at 10am from the boat it was only 8am in the city.
We also met a nice couple from Australia who were on the
Princess cruise ship that was docked near us. They also were not finding
Casablanca an enjoyable place to walk sadly.
It’s really sad but I’m hoping the city leaders and the Prince of
Morocco who we were told lives in a huge palace while the rest of the country
exits in squalor.
We went to one of the famed shopping centers but didn’t buy
anything. Everyone was very nice though and no one was too pushy or made us
feel bad for not buying something which was so nice. On our walk back to the
ship we stopped in this little shop near one of the piers and got water and an
orange soda and sat with the locals who had also stopped for lunch or a quick
coffee. An older man came by with his cane and we shared our water and soda
with him. They don’t speak much English
but they were all so nice.
I do think the city in a few years will be a good place for
a visit or at least I’d like to think so and for the sake of all the good
hardworking people and all the cats and the donkeys that still pull the carts
in the city I truly wish much success in getting tourist to come and spend
money and help create jobs. But for now I told mom that if ever I complain
about something unimportant just say the work Casablanca and I’ll be reminded
of how truly blessed I am and to just be grateful for everything rather than
complain. I think everyone in countries
like the US and those in the European Union and anywhere where there are more
opportunities should absolutely visit a place like this just to be reminded
that life could be so much worse and to just enjoy all you have and to also be
sure to give back to those who weren’t born in a society where there are actual
opportunities to succeed if you work hard and make it happen.
After dinner I sat in the lounge
on the 5th floor deck and was oddly memorized by the continual
movement on the dock next to us. There was such activity loading and unloading
those large metal containers from one tanker to another. I couldn’t believe how
fascinated I was but I sat and watched for at least an hour. I did watch for
the tour buses that kept coming as well and the staff from the boat as they ran
around trying to determine which buses hadn’t come back yet and who was not on
board. We ended up leaving a half hour late as a few tours got back much past
their expected time. As I watched one
particular man in the rain with his cheerful smile and his constant movement I
couldn’t help but be reminded of all the times I ran around when I was planning
my owner events at The Manhattan Club trying to make sure we had all our guests
and once I even left an elderly man behind. Not intentionally as you can
imagine, he just wondered off with an Asian tour group and got on their bus.
Well from that point forward I always kept a keen eye on Mr. Turkan whenever he
came on one of our outings. It's funny what will trigger a memory and I guess watching that man made me wish for a little bit to be doing that job again. Well just a little bit.
Here is a little history the cruise ship provided for us on
Casablanca:
The image of Casablanca immortalized by Humphrey Bogart in
the 1942 classic Hollywood film is of a city shrouded in intrigue, with a spy
around every corner. In fact, Casablanca
is a bustling, sophisticated modern city with one of the largest and busiest
ports in Africa. Portuguese, Arab,
Spanish and French influences give the city a particular and unique charm. Morocco gained independence in 1955, under
the leadership of Kin Mohammed V, who died within hours of his country’s
liberation. Sine independence, Casablanca city has developed to become one of
the country’s industrial Heartlands.
With the surrounding area, the population of Casablanca is some four
million inhabitants. The oldest part of
the city is the ancient quarter of Medina, an intricate network of alleyways
built on the remains of the legendary town of Anaf. In the center of Medina is the Hassan II
Mosque, one of the largest mosques in the world and the second most important
Islamic centre after Mecca. The charm of
the Old Medina is complemented by the modernity of the surrounding city. Any full tour of Casablanca would not be
complete without a journey along the Corniche, a costal highway through the
wealthy quarter of Anfa, a centre of the city’s nightlife with a multitude of
bars and restaurants. A short distance
form Casablanca is Rabat and the splendid Islamic attractions of the Royal
Palace, the Mausoleum of Mohamed V and Hasan Tower, a classical example of
Islamic architecture. Casablanca has
much to offer shopping fans, particularly those willing to bargain. Specialties to look out for include Moroccan
carpets, leatherwear, mother of pearl furniture, and traditional caftans. And, when hunger strikes, traditional
couscous will satisfy most appetites, accompanied by a refreshing glass of mint
tea.
