Here’s looking at you, kid

Hello from Casablanca, Morocco.

Firstly my apologies those who just got two lots of rubbish from me. This keyboard is as confused as Morocco itself…. more on that to follow. The keyboard is all vowels in the wrong spot and no punctuation..... I'm a one finger typist as a result.

Secondly, thank the lord above that I’m here. It's halfway normal here in Casablanca compared to Cairo: clean(er), green(er) and calm(er), though if you just flew in from Melbourne you'd disagree. I stuck my head out the cab window on the way and breathed in fresh air for the first time in days; and enjoying less traffic; less honking; less pollution; in general.

Morocco is crushed between the Middle East, Europe and Africa….. and it shows. An hour ago I wandered through the Quartier Habous; where they were selling traditional tarbooshes (hats for Muslims) and the long flowing robes for men and women, then a man wearing one served me a typical French meal of Panini with four French cheeses, café au lait and French cakes, then I got in a local cab and the driver was playing African music….. Arabic is the official language once again; but the aftermath of the French protectorate means that everything is in both French and Arabic, and most business is conducted in French; which means in turn that unlike Egypt and Jordan I have half a chance of understanding, although those years of high school French have been erased by my recent Spanish speaking ways. I know the French, but Spanish keeps coming out…..

You wouldn't believe it. Henry, the hairdressing queen is here as well and has jioned the sa,e group thing for the trek across the high plains and desert. This is great news for me. I can giggle my way across Morocco as well.

Here are some pics of the Nouvelle Medina at Quartier Habous. I also visited the Ancienne Medina, but my gut feeling was the camera and all my valuables should stay in my bag. As dirty as Cairo was, violent crime is nonexistent..... not so here me thinks. It's got a gritty edge, and 24 hours here is more than enough....

And the main town square.....

For those who love the movie Casablanca, trust me, that's not a good reason to come here. It's a big city with no real heart and soul, one landmark (and yep, it's a mosque) and no discernible trace of Bogart's Casablanca. I'm glad for only 24 hours here before I head to Meknes and then onto Fes, and into the real heart of Morocco.