Casablanca - Casablanca is a treacherous paradise for the senses. It attacks them from all sides. It is charming, bewildering and repelling...
When I decided to come to Morocco for a six-month internship, some of my friends were green with envy, some others told me I was crazy. Some of them imagined Casa as one of the most romantic cities with a rich history. For some others it was just another world's metropolis.
I got on the plane without prejudices or expectations. Three years back my heart was stolen and bewitched by Marrakesh and the magnificent Agadir. Just thinking of visiting the mysterious and fascinating country of Morocco again made my heart beat faster. It was a hot, muggy evening when I had arrived in Casablanca. I had the overwhelming impression that the city was trying to entice me from all possible sides. Even though it was getting dark, the traffic jam would not cease, the cars would not slow down and the honking would not trail away.
The drivers in ramshackle cars were doing their best to bypass the pedestrians, randomly showing up on the street. The fumes from scooters and vintage motorcycles almost coated the city with dense fog. At midnight the city rose like a phoenix from the ashes, giving you the sensation of being reborn again that day. The night fell quite deeply and one could hardly notice any women on the street; it appeared to have belonged exclusively to men.
The aroma of freshly picked fruit was floating in the air, fully compensating the odor of car fumes. The shouting sellers were doing their best not to let the city become quiet for a second. An omnipresent scent of spices and olives was so intense that it succeeded in masking the pong of day-old fish bones on the pavements. Simultaneously, somewhere in the distance one could hear the beats of traditional shaabi music, to which people dance like crazy during weddings.
Sunday morning came. Another day in Casablanca has begun. Today the city is peaceful and calm, as if it was dead. The taxi drivers and their little rickety cars disappeared from the pothole-covered roads. People on the streets seem to be lethargic, almost spiritless. The sun is fabulously bright today. There is no rush, no honking, no yelling. It's mind-blowing how in a single night this enigmatic and mysterious city can transform.
Rabat - It is very common that people always complain about their countries and every little negative thing about it. However, you don’t realize the real value of your country until you leave it for a long time to live in another country.
It is at that moment that you start noticing how beautiful this amazing land where you were born is, and you start missing the very small things that makes it your beloved Home.
The weather. Yes, because having sunshine everyday is a medicine in and of itself. I never knew the value of the weather and how much it can affect the mood until I lived in The Netherlands. The weather over there is depressing, and when I see how locals react when the very shy sun comes out for less than 15 minutes, I realize that I’m lucky. Yes, we are really lucky to have such great weather during the whole year: we can even count the number of days when the weather was rainy and cloudy! (We only realize the value of things only when we don’t have them anymore.)
The old Medinas. Every city in the Kingdom has an old Medina that still sticks to a traditional and simple lifestyle. It is a place where you can find anything you need! Literally anything! From clothes to furniture to food to libraries to shoemakers to all those shops where you can fix every broken thing you have (lcocotte, for example)! You can fix your phone, TV, microwave, or any electronic device you have.
The tea. I don’t know if this is common for everyone, but personally, I just can’t go one day without drinking Moroccan tea. You can call it an addiction… a beautiful one.
The food. Concerning food, I really don’t know where to start. There is a huge variety of dishes that both locals and internationals love so, so much! Tagine, couscous, bastilla, and the unlimited number of amazing things we have—not to mention the fact that eating with your hands makes the food even more delicious! (A minute of silence for the people who eat Tagine with a knife and fork. It’s wrong on so many levels!) Let’s not forget:
- Raibi Jamila & Henry’s. The official partners of every Moroccan citizen in emergency situations of “little hungers” (or big ones...).
- Raib & lharcha. It’s like putting cement on your stomach, just eat it and forget about hunger for few hours. For no more than 5 Dirhams (less than 50 euro cents) you can have a really tasty natural snack! (Please tell me what you can do with that amount of money in your countries.)
The cats. Every street has a number of homeless cats. But the amazing thing is that these cats stay in the same streets and don’t move to other places. They are so faithful to their neighborhoods! This reminds me of a cat that used to give birth in our garden in Fez. Once, I decided to keep its babies: five kittens. Yes, they were very sweet, but believe me, having five cats at once was not an easy thing! This is especially true when I keep a dog: they just can’t live in the same place!
The Coffee. The fabulous “ness ness.” Ness means “half” in Arabic, so this drink is made up of half coffee, half milk. But I always believe they put more coffee in it!
Ramadan. Last but not least, I love how Moroccan streets get totally deserted during the first 15 minutes of Iftar in Ramadan.
Morocco is a paradise for senses. Sounds attacking you from all sides, noise and powerful beats of chaabi music, omnipresent clackson and people cursing each other in traffic jam, extremely sweet desserts and spicy tajine, delicious, oriental perfume and the smell of freshly picked oranges and olives immersed in hot harissa sauce, colorful clothes and dirty, shabby buildings. You can have a little bit of this mesmerizing mixture for yourself, pack in your suitcase and take it home. Here are my top Moroccan souvenirs which, no matter where I go, will always remind me about my second home, al-Maghrib. Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.Babaoushe
Lovely, Moroccan slippers made of leather. They are so light and soft, perfect for hot summer. You'll find them in all the colors of rainbow: all shades of red, pinkish and crimson, baby blue and navy, plain and richly decorated. Depending on the quality and store the prices will vary. Baboushe are available in many shoes shops, luxury stores and in the open-air market ("medina"). My suggestion for you is to get them in medina. The luxury shops usually double the price and usual shoes shops offer poor quality- the slippers are usually made of plastic. A reasonable price for a pair of them would be 60-150 DHS depending on the pattern and material and also the quantity. The more you buy the less you pay.
Olives
Morocco is a culinary paradise for olive-lovers, there is no doubt about that. You will have the realest olive feast here. Olives with harissa, olives with all spices, sliced, with seeds, seedless, black, red, green... Whatever you wish you will have here! What is more, olives are ridiculously cheap. For 10 DHS you will get a whole bag of those delicious veggies. Another good news is that vast majority of bars offer olives as a starter. Free of charge.
If you are a fan of cooking, spices should be the main point on your shopping list. Moroccan spices are quite inexpensive and very, very savory. The packed spices available in Europe are not even in one tenth as aromatic as Moroccan cinnamon or cumin. Sellers pack them either in newspapers, piece of paper or foil. Wandering in the streets of Morocco, except the smoke, gasoline and dirt, you will smell the spices ;) What is interesting, there are special stores which sell spices only ("epicerie").
For me, a fan of rose scent, it is an absolute must-have. I can't imagine a day without using the rose water to clean my face and rose oil to remove my eye make-up. If you are a lady and your eyes are sensitive (like mine, I hardly ever find a gentle make-up remover) get yourself few bottles of this magical liquid. Rose oil works great as a moisturizer for the skin and helps to handle unruly hair and dry endings. Available in pharmacies, alimentation generale stores, some epiceries and supermarkets. The price of both is also a nice surprise. A big bottle of rose water will cost you less than 10 dirhams and the oil is around 20-30 dirhams. What do you want more?Arabic perfume
Those are super long-lasting scents, usually without alcohol. You just rub a little amount of oil onto your skin and enjoy the smell throughout the day. There are numerous stores offering Arabic perfume. I divide them in 3 categories: luxurious, ordinary and low-cost.
Brands such an Arabian Oud or Swiss Arabian offer typically oriental scents in richly decorated bottles. If your budget is not too big and you want something less pricey go for the second type, those are "perfumeries" that you will find in many places in the whole country. A roll-on bottle which contains around 6-8ml of the charming perfume costs on average 20-50 dirhams. For the cheapest perfume ever I suggest you go on a hunt near mosques. You will find 3ml bottles of perfumes for 5-15 dirhams (Depending on the size, quality etc). Personally, I use Arabic perfumes since 2006, when I first smelled them. It was love at first smell:) Pastry
For me, Moroccans are culinary masters when it comes to baking. You will find a whole range of different cookies. If you like almonds you'll love their pastries. The typical, Moroccan ones are: kaab ghazl, shabakya, briwat and many more. Kaab ghazl is a moon-shaped almond cookie. It is ridiculously tasty! If you like marzipan, go for it. Unfortunately, it is among the most expensive cookies in the whole Maghreb. Shabakya is a specialty baked during the holy month of Ramadhan, since it is very sweet and caloric. However, you can find it in some patisseries during the whole year.
Walking down the streets of Morocco (especially Fes, Tangier) you will see people (especially ladies) wearing those strange, long dresses with hoods. They are called djellabas and are traditional, Moroccan dresses. I fell in love with them and I have my own:) however, many people feel ashamed to wear them. No idea why, they are so cute!
Note that those are my private must-haves. I am trying to be as objective as possible but everyone can have different taste. Apart from all the things listed above Morocco is a paradise for designer-brands lovers who can't afford to buy an original designer t-shirt or shoes. In Morocco you'll find thousands of well-done fakes. Be aware, it is not legal to bring fakes to EU (especially France and Italy have strict laws about that).
Monika Mizinska is a Polish blogger and a teacher of English. She lives in Casablanca, Morocco. She has her own blog where she writes about her experience in Morocco.
London - A few months ago I visited Warsaw, the capital of Poland. Warsaw was a good choice to taste a bit of the Polish culture. The city is amazing and shows the historical transitions of Poland and different eras the country has been through. This is clearly reflected in its buildings, streets, people and culture.
Although I stayed only for a weekend, I did enjoy every moment there except when I was waiting for about an hour to get my passport checked — Polish border officers are not used to seeing travellers from Morocco. For this article, I have made a list of my favourite attractions. Here are my Top 5 things a visitor must do on a visit to Warsaw.
1- Visit The Warsaw Uprising Museum
With no hesitation, the Warsaw Uprising Museum is first on my top 5! It is the best museum I have been to and my biggest surprise in Warsaw. The Uprising Museum gives information in an interactive way. The design inside is stunning. It made me travel mentally between periods Poland has been through, from the suffering of the Second World War to the Soviet Era and from The Warsaw Uprising to the last couple of years where Poland becomes an EU member and a model of development in the region. If you like history, then this museum is made for you. Not to be missed in Warsaw!
The Old Town is considered to be the main tourist spot of the city. It was established in the 13th century and has been a theatre of different events. During the memorable invasion of Poland in 1939, the Old Town was destroyed during the terror bombings by the German Nazis. Following the Siege of Warsaw, some parts of the town were rebuilt, but during the Warsaw Uprising in 1944 it was totally destroyed again. Warsaw has lost its historical town several times. It was rebuilt once again after the Second World War.
I enjoyed walking around the Old Town as in every corner there is something special to see such as the Mermaid, the Barbican, The Royal Castle… etc. No hints, I will let you wander around and find those treasures!
3- Party with locals
Anywhere I go, I try to meet with locals to have an insider’s look at the city I stay in. Couchsurfing helps me find people who are willing to show me their city or host me for few days. That was the case in Warsaw. I was in touch with a group of Polish who invited me and my friend to a party on our arrival. We went to an underground club named Hydro where we had a great night. The younger generation in Poland sure knows how to party and greet foreigners. They are really nice, open-minded and welcoming.
Before I even got to Warsaw, the only place I was familiar with and looked forward to visit was the Palace of Culture and Science. I don’t know why, but I really like this building. Maybe it is the way it stands over Warsaw’s skyline or maybe it is its architecture from the Soviet Era. Anyway, the reception is awesome and there is the option of getting to the top of it and enjoying a view of the city. Unfortunately, I couldn’t get there as the weather was not the best!
5- Try Polish Food
Apart from my “New Country, New Stamp” habit (get as many stamps as possible on my passport), I really insist on trying the local food. Polish food is really delicious, I tried some traditional dishes. I got potatoes with mushrooms (Vegan Pyzy) and a sort of local pancakes. All for a cheap price! What more can one ask for?
Rabat - In many countries, it is often the largest cities that garner the most attention of locals and tourists. These metropolitan areas attract visitors with man-made constructs such as restaurants or shopping centers, many times obstructing the beauty of nature that lies nearby.
Countless hidden treasures can be found when travelers venture out from the concrete buildings and paved roads to lesser-known towns that reveal the true beauty of Mother Nature.
These smaller towns allow people to escape from the hustle and bustle of a busy city, relax in stress-free areas and detach from their daily routines. They will be able to find an escape from the high pollution, stress, and over crowdedness of a hectic big city. In addition, there are many opportunities to meet people who lead a simpler life and manage to succeed even with limited resources.
Abderrahmane Ouali Alami, a 29-year-old Moroccan photographer, attempts to capture the hidden beauty of lesser-known regions. Alami seeks the unknown and describes his unforgettable journey during a six-day adventure from Casablanca to Tarfaya.
Day 1: My friends and I departed Casablanca around 10pm and reached Akhfenir the following afternoon. Akhfenir, a small town between Tarfaya and Tantan, is known to offer some of the best fishing in Morocco.
Around 25kilometers south of Akhfenir is Naila, a huge nature reserve that houses an incredible amount of fish. Spanning several kilometers, the reserve opens to the ocean via a pass of nearly three kilometers. We were amazed by the beauty of these towns, and continued our journey on to Guelmim, also known as the gateway to the desert, and spent the night camping there.
Day 2: The second day started by taking the road from Guelmim to the white beach. The white beach coastline spans around 40 kilometers making this stretch of sand one of the largest beaches in Morocco. We then traveled to Sidi Ifni, a city surrounded by the mountains of the Anti-Atlas and the Atlantic Ocean. We enjoyed the remarkable views and went on to Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah Beach near Mirleft where we spent the night camping in tents.
Day 3: The third day of the adventure began with a short visit to Mirleft, a small town with a great spot for surfers to catch a few waves. Then the journey continued to Aoulouz and along the way we had the opportunity to visit a few other cities. We stopped in Tiznit, known for its silver jewelry, as well as Taroudant, which sits on the foot of the High Atlas and Anti-Atlas Mountains and has some of the most well preserved Medina walls in Morocco.
Not far from Taroudant is Aoulouz, where we attempted to reach the highest peak of the Anti-Atlas. Unfortunately, we went off-track in the mountains and decided to spend the night again in tents.
Day 4: We woke early and attempted to find the right way to reach the peak of the mountain. After several hours of driving, we reached Askouane, where we had to finish the adventure by foot until Aoudit. We camped-out in tents again and experienced the chill of sub-zero temperatures that night.
Day 5: We started the fifth day bright and early with one goal in mind: reaching the top of the Anti-Atlas Mountains. We were able to achieve our goal after several hours of walking and hiking up the mountainside. We were absolutely amazed by the astonishing panoramic view at the top of the mountain. My friends and I continued on to Tahanaout, a small town located just south of Marrakech.
Tahanaout amazes visitors with its colorful landscape and appealing architecture. Visitors can admire the red clay constructions that were built according to traditional Berber techniques while enjoying the surrounding terrain dotted with olive groves, lemon trees and orange blossoms.
Day 6: Reaching the end of our adventure, my friends and I had to make our way back to Casablanca, but we knew that the unforgettable memories and splendid adventures would always remain in our minds.
These short journal entries are not enough to describe this astonishing region. Every town has its own spectacular landscape and fascinating scenery that will leave any visitor completely speechless.
Edited by Liz Yaslik
The second part (Tarfaya - Dakhla) will be released soon ...
Inezgane, Morocc - I think any foreigner visiting the United States cannot have a well-rounded cultural experience without attending either a baseball or basket-ball game. The feeling of discovery, enjoyment and thrill are doubled when you happen to attend matches between world renowned teams.
While in Indianapolis, Indiana I happened to have attended a memorable basketball match between two giant American basketball teams. At the Conseco field house, the Indianapolis Pacers were “confronting” their great visitors from Chicago; the Chicago Bulls.
My American host and I arrived early that evening at the Conseco field in front of which a colorfully dressed band was performing and a multitude of fans were queening to enter the field house. Meanwhile some people who were late in getting their entrance tickets were trying to get some before the great match started. Inside the Conseco Field house, we managed to find our seats and soon the Indiana Pacemates started their dance show. According to my humble experience in the US, I can say that the US fears nothingness, emptiness and boredom hence the necessity to fill out “while getting ready time” with something nice, agreeable, and worthwhile.
The two teams soon made their appearance in the basketball field welcomed by loud cheers and great excitement from their respective fans. Giants and titans were there in that evening in an atmosphere that reminded me of tales about the great Roman gladiators. The reigning atmosphere was softened by the touch of a professional female referee added to the mix.
My background then as an English Language teacher at an athletes’ high school in Morocco allowed me to enjoy the match to the fullest. As a matter of fact because our school did not have a special library to cater for the need of future athletes, I started a project with my students to compile as much information as possible about sports. Our approach was to proceed in alphabetical order. To cut a long story short, Basketball was listed under the B entry. For each sport we included a brief historical background of the sport or game followed by its rules and regulations as well as field measurements when a field is required for that game or sport.
The Indianapolis Pacers versus the Chicago Bulls game went on and on “punctuated” with Pacemates performances all through the evening and well into the night. I wanted to eternalize those great Basketball moments so I took a great number of shots of almost everything but I think the best shot I took was one of a sweet girl holding a cardboard on which was written “Pacers will win, that’s no bull!”.
The girl was standing next to a boy who looked pretty much like her, most probably her brother, nice members of a family of Pacer fans. The game result was very hard to settle, both teams were highly professional, highly motivated and highly success oriented. At the end of the game, the little girl’s prediction came true. The Indianapolis Pacers prevailed.
To me foreigner, the result did not matter much; I enjoyed every bit of the match and went out home with a new basketball experience to add to another one I experienced in the State of New Mexico. More than three decades ago, a Soviet Union national Basketball team played against an American national one in the New Mexico University Arena within what was called “Basketball Diplomacy”. The American basketball team had the upper hand in that historical Basketball duel. That might have foreshadowed a great historical event that was going to take place some years later; the failure of the Soviet “empire” to prevail and hence the new world order that ensued.
The little girl’s message was not a prediction but rather a wish. In 1977 I knew a multitude of Americans who wished “the empire of evil” would get fragmented and disbanded but on the other hand, there were those who set wishful thinking aside and worked tirelessly to turn that wish into reality. That was a different game of giants versus titans the end result of which revealed some of them had feet made of clay.
Articles written by Mohamed El Hassan Abou El Fadel in Morocco World News are taken from his Cultural Journals. The articles feature his reflections on an important part of his educational and cultural experiences in the US as an American Field Service exchange student, a Fulbright exchange teacher and a University of Delaware alumnus.
MGHRASSYINE, Morocco - Sorcery, plate-smashing and animal sacrifice are not often associated with Sufi festivals, but they all feature at a popular annual pilgrimage to a Moroccan shrine linked to the "queen of the genies".
In the town's main square, to a chorus of trilling pipes and banging drums, spectators press around a cluster of believers, who sway to the hypnotic rhythms in a trance-like state, sometimes leaping up and down in ecstasy, sometimes cutting themselves on the scalp with sharp tools.
One of the men runs into the middle of the circle, holds up a large terracotta plate and throws it high into the air. It shatters as it lands on his head, prompting a loud cheer from the crowd. The festival of Sidi Ali Ben Hamdouch brings Moroccans from far and wide to venerate a 17th century Muslim saint and his servant Lalla Aicha, a mythical Muslim princess from the desert who dwells in the spirit world and is a powerful unseen force for her followers.
Traditionally, worshippers have come to Mghrassyine for spiritual guidance and divine blessing, sometimes seeking higher states of consciousness through music and dance, as a form of communion with God.
But for a growing number of people, the week-long religious festival, or "moussem", is a journey into the supernatural world of genies, incantations and "shawafa" -- women who claim to be able, for a fee, to help people find love and feel better, to maybe cast or break a spell.
Land of superstition
Madame Khayat, from the city of Fez, says she comes every year, despite the disapproval of many Moroccans, including her husband, who view the rituals as un-Islamic.
"We come here to be purified of the evil spirits, of the 'jinn,'" she says with a smile. "It's a kind of pilgrimage if you like. People go to Mecca to be purified of their sins. People come here to be purified of evil spirits."
"There are many people who think it's savagery, who don't believe in this. Even my husband doesn't like me to come here. So when he wasn't looking, I just got in the car and came with my two maids," she adds with a laugh. Good and bad genies ("jnun" in Arabic) are frequently mentioned in the Koran, although orthodox Islamic tradition holds that Muslims should rely on God alone to protect them from malevolent spirits.
But the spirits hold a special place in Moroccan folklore and popular culture, and not just among the poor and uneducated.
A study published in 2012 by the Pew Research Centre, a US think tank, showed that an estimated 86 percent of Moroccans believe in these supernatural beings, more than any of the other countries surveyed.
Aziz Hlaoua, a Moroccan sociologist, says that under King Mohamed VI there has been a clear revival of Sufism, the beliefs and practises of mystical Muslim sects, which in Morocco are commonly linked to the world of magic and healing.
In 2002, the king appointed Ahmed Toufiq, known for his Sufi sympathies, as minister of religious affairs, to pioneer this revival and reverse the marginalisation of Sufi fraternities under his father, the late king Hassan II.
"The political role of this new policy of favouring Sufism as a moderate, open, tolerant form of Islam is a means of confronting extremism," Hlaoua said.
"And the moussem have seen a continuous comeback since Ahmed Toufiq's appointment as minister."
Music and meditation
On the last day of the Sidi Ali festival, thousands gather to accompany a procession of flag bearers and drummers as they lead a sacrificial bull donated by the king down the hill to the shrine of Sidi Ali.
Other creatures, notably black chickens and goats, the colour supposedly favoured by Lalla Aicha, are on sale around the town, to be slaughtered as part of an Islamic tradition that has assumed occult overtones in Mghrassyine.
"When they sacrifice the animal, they believe the genies drink its blood. It's a way of pacifying the spirits," Hlaoua explained. An alleyway winding down to the valley below the shrine is lined with evidence of sorcery -- "shawafa" salons and stalls selling festival accessories, from goat horns to dried chameleons, which are placed in boiling water to produce healing vapours.
At the bottom of the path, women light prayer candles and burn incense in the cave of Lalla Aicha, calling on the so-called queen of the genies to intercede on their behalf, or they purify themselves with a ritual bath in the adjacent natural spring.
Two sheep lie dead on the ground nearby, their throats slit. A more cerebral atmosphere prevails in the room, not far from the shrine, where members of the Sidi Ali fraternity congregate for an evening of spiritual music and meditation, or "lilla."
After hours of chanting and swaying that lasts late into the night, a man in the audience starts throwing his head about violently, apparently entering a state of trance, before collapsing on the ground.
Casablanca - As a Couch Surfer and the author of 'Bewildered in Morocco' I receive numerous messages from people from different countries who face the same problem: they come to Morocco but they have only one, maximum two days in Casablanca.
Everybody thinks that this few-million city can't be discovered in less than two weeks. If you think the same, let me assure you, you're wrong!
Despite its huge surface there are not as many places to see as one may expect. Casablanca is the economical capital of the country and still many people have false idea about it. However, there are some places that are an undeniable "must" once you get your ass in this city! Let's suppose that you, like majority of the travelers who text me, have only 24 hours in Casa and want to squeeze the maximum out of it and feel its spirit...
Let's Start!
It's the biggest mosque in Morocco and 7th biggest mosque in the world! Every single part of it has been done with attention to detail. When I first stood in front of it I was speechless. Its size and the decorations are so impressive! If you're travelling by taxi simply tell the driver "Hassan II mosquée" and he'll take you there.
For the breakfast I recommend you to go to the nearby restaurant, La Sqala. It is a place held in oriental style and with a very nice atmosphere. You may try the Moroccan specialty harcha (kind of a flat pastry made from semolina) with jam or msmen (a delicious but heavy, few-layer pancake) with cream cheese.
A glass of sweet mint tea is an integral element of the Moroccan breakfast! Having chosen this for your first meal you can be sure that you'll be stuffed and full of energy for at least a couple of hours!
Before the Noon: Get Lost in the Old Medina
Old Medina is a walkable distance from the restaurant. In Morocco, every city has its medina. Casablanca couldn't be an exception! If you want to buy some leather goods, babouche and some other Moroccan must-haves, you should devote 1-2 hours to see this place. Beware!Bargaining is aninseparable part of shopping in this part of the world.
[caption id="attachment_121000" align="aligncenter" width="1000"]Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. An alley in one of Moroccan medinas. Photo by Youssef Amaaou[/caption]
Anfa Place is a very modern shopping center by the Atlantic Ocean. It is located almost on the beach! There is a very nice promenade leading from the mall to the beach. I suggest you go there before the sunset.
The views from the beach are breathtaking. You can see the lighthouseand admire the sunset in all its glory! The most beautiful photos of sunsets I got- have been taken just there.
[caption id="attachment_121002" align="aligncenter" width="800"]Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. The promenade linking the beach and the mall. Photo by Monika Mizinska[/caption]
In the Evening: Eat Camel for a Dinner
Camel is quite cheap here but it is not the most popular meat. When I first ate it I was sure it was well prepared, spicy beef. How surprised I was when I found out it was actually camel's meat! For MAD 25 you can eat delicious tajine that comes with a home-baked bread, olives in harrisa and a glass of sugary, mint tea.
My absolutely number one snack is in Maarif district of Casablanca. It is called "Ibil" and is located on Jura street. Don't miss that, in Europe it is not likely to find a bar that would serve you a camel; no forks allowed! Help yourself with bread.
[caption id="attachment_121003" align="aligncenter" width="1600"]Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Tajine minced camel meat. Photo by Damian Garbatowski[/caption]
At Night: Party in Ain Diab
Ain Diab is the partydistrict of Casablanca. During the weekend you can go to some crazyparties, just like the ones in the European capitals. You will have hundreds of clubs and pubs to choose from. From folkchaabi places, to African ones to European ones.
[caption id="attachment_121004" align="aligncenter" width="800"]Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Raja Casablanca supporters during FIFA Wold Cup. Ain Diab. Photo by Damian Garbatowski[/caption]
This is the end of our 24-hour tour around Casablanca. If you have any questions don't hesitate to ask. Suggestion? Welcome to share! Note that this is my subjective selection of the best places in Casa!
Rabat - In just a few short weeks, I will have spent a full calendar year––in total––in Morocco. This is my third time coming to Morocco––the first having been for four months on an American study abroad program in 2011, the second for three months to conduct interviews for an undergraduate thesis, and this time as a Fulbright scholarship recipient.
Over the course of the two and a half years since I first came to Morocco, I’ve been asked by a number of people why it is that I love this country so much. Though difficult to put into words, here is my attempt to summarize a few major reasons.
The pace of life
In general, life here is much more relaxed than it is in the US. Having spent the past eight years in particular in high-intensity, high-stress schools, the generally laid-back interpretation of time is a welcome breath of fresh air (though this also comes with a caveat: sometimes when you tell someone you want to meet at 10am because you have a busy day ahead of you, the +/- 30 minutes interpretation of a rendez-vous can be frustrating. And sometimes productivity can lag, but that is a longer discussion). Overall, however, I enjoy the relaxed pace of life.
Moroccan “hospitality”
It is custom for guests to be welcomed into homes and immediately offered mint tea (which is made of a mix of green tea and fresh mint) and often sweets to accompany. It is custom for Moroccans to go out of their way to make guests feel comfortable and at home, and are the kind of people to offer you their bed while they sleep on the couch or floor. Even if they just met you, Moroccans often welcome you to come back any time you’d like. In fact, you do not necessarily even need to call ahead of time; just drop by to see if they are there. If they are home, marhaba! Welcome!
[caption id="attachment_121032" align="aligncenter" width="609"]Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Snapshot from YouTube[/caption]
‘Outsider’ status and being a minority
Here, I am a minority––one that is discriminated against. but mostly in the most positive sense of the word. Though I am often hit on more because I am zaara (a light-skinned blonde person), I am also afforded a number of privileges because I am a gawria (foreigner), and particularly because I am a white one. Though this position sometimes affords me some uncomfortable privileges (like being able to go certain places or do certain things it would not be acceptable for a Moroccan female to do or to go), I like that it gives me a certain status of being an ‘observer.’ Moroccans may entrust certain knowledge to me because they feel they cannot talk about that particular topic with friends or family for fear of being judged. They know that because I am not directly involved and because I come from a different culture, I can serve as a trustworthy ally. This role allows me certain insights that I might otherwise not get.
The fresh fruits and vegetables
Due to its Mediterranean climate and geographic diversity, Morocco produces a vast array of produce that is both inexpensive and mouthwatering! Figs, strawberries, dates, apples, oranges, mandarin oranges, prickly pear, pomegranates, grapes––you name it. Strawberries are currently in season, and how much do they cost? Oh, a mere MAD 13 (roughly $1.59) per kilo! Strawberries are usually, what, $3.99/lb in the U.S.? And then you want to “go organic”? Add a nice little $2.00 premium to that conventional price. That is only 5.5 to 8.2 times the prices of strawberries in Morocco (cue jaw drop)!
Yes, Morocco has super markets (French ones, actually) and you can go there and buy overpriced produce that was perhaps grown with more pesticides than from a local seller. But why go there when you can go to––for example in Rabat––the old medina, specifically to the souq (market) called Bouqroune and buy fresh produce from local sellers for a much cheaper price? It is also an entirely different experience. You don’t necessarily have to buy things by the bunch––sometimes you can even ask for a piece of a whole, like of a giant squash, for example. Well, that’s logical! And guess what? You can do that for beans, pasta, flour, and a whole lot of other goods too because they don’t come in a box. But even when they do, you can ask for only a piece of the container. Imagine doing that in a grocery store in the U.S… they would look at you as if you had two heads.
The diversity of the country
This country is incredibly diverse in almost every sense of the word: geographically, ethnically, racially, linguistically, culturally… etc. Morocco is a country in which you can see the ocean, snow-capped mountains, and the sand dunes of the Sahara all in one day. You can hear and speak Moroccan Arabic, Modern Standard (Classical) Arabic, French, Spanish, English, and three dialects of the Amazighi (Berber) language, in particular. You’ll see Moroccans who are just as zaara as I am (though they’re rare) to deep brown skinned Moroccans who have many sub-Saharan African features. And then there is also an increasing number (somewhere between 20,000 and 40,000––estimates vary greatly!) of sub-Saharan migrants finding themselves residing on Moroccan territory. And then there are small numbers of French, American, Filipino, and other foreigners, particularly in Rabat and Casablanca.
[caption id="attachment_121027" align="aligncenter" width="960"]Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. The Square of Beb Boujloud (the gate of Abi ElJounoud. Photo by MWN[/caption]
As for “Moroccan culture,” it is incredibly difficult to define. It is the same sort of concept when I am asked about “American culture.” I don’t even know where to start! There is such a plurality of cultures and cultural influences that it becomes nearly impossible to define in any way. This diversity of thought and practice keeps me endlessly fascinated, thirsty to learn more.
Challenging myself
Living in another country, there will always be challenges that come my way. Sometimes they’re food related (is this vegetarian? Or uh oh, where’s the bathroom! come to mind), sometimes they’re culture related (whoops, shouldn’t have said that!), and sometimes challenges have nothing to do with being in another country, but I have to deal with them while living in a context other than what I am most used to. But I have luckily grown quite accustomed to living in Morocco. I am used to “going with the flow,” as many situations I have come across demand of me. There are constantly new challenges that I face, particularly ones involving cultural miscommunication, which allow me to learn about the nuances and subtleties of Moroccan norms and expectations. But most importantly, they help me to learn about myself and my own cultural expectations and assumptions. Not a moment goes by when I am not actively learning.
Casablanca - Moroccans continue to shine in a myriad of fields outside their country. Born in 1976 in Berkane, a city in northeastern Morocco, Aziz Bekkaoui is today one of Holland’s most outstanding fashion designers.
The Moroccan designer’s collection shone bright during the 20th edition of Holland’s Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, held in Amsterdam from 17 to 27 January.
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.“To me [his] collection is the ultimate melting pot of cultures, about contrasts and current social developments,” read an article on Bekkaoui’s fashion show published on Fashion Week Nederland’s official website. “And Aziz made us see that there is only beauty to be found in that.”
Aziz Bekkaoui showed a propensity towards the black color, sending “his models down the runway wearing all black everything,” stunning the audience with his collection of “beautifully made lace dresses and sweaters with leather lace-up sleeves.”
Bekkaoui’s collection radiated a rebellious, military fragrance, with the noticeable predominance of “bomber jackets and combat boots” in his exhibited collection.
Winter-friendly, Bakkaoui’s collection hit two birds with one stone: sophisticated fashion and season synergy. That explains the military air that prevails in his collection: “It’s winter, so what! Stay fashioned against all odds!”
“Stand out of the crowd even when it’s raining cats and dogs!” one would hear Bakkaoui’s entrancing collection whispering.
Every exceptional fashion designer has a distinctive signature. Bakkawoui’s is his “love for innovation, fluid shapes and movement.” For him, “Fashion without soul is just textiles, and form without content does not exist.”
Aziz Bakkaoui graduated from Utrecht School of the Arts in 1995, with a degree in Fashion Aesthetics. Since then, he has been “making his own magic,” wowing all fashion lovers who come across his attires.
Rabat - In Morocco, when talking about a trip of more than 1500 kilometers, most people usually think the trip will venture outside of Moroccan borders and into other countries.
However, very few people take the initiative to cover this distance within their own countries to visit small towns and unexplored villages.
This is the type of traveling Abderrahmane Ouali Alami prefers when he plans any excursion. The purpose of every journey he takes is to see the beauty hidden in lesser-known places, even if it takes thousands of kilometers to reach.
The purpose of this trip was to reach Dakhla and sightsee in the city as much as possible. However, it was impossible to neglect all the cities and towns along the way that had spectacular sceneries that could not be missed. Abderrahmane explains the itinerary of one of these extended journeys.
"My friends and I departed Casablanca at 2p.m. and reached Guelmim in the evening." Guelmim is a city in the southwestern part of Morocco and is also known as the “gateway to the desert.” It is situated in the southern Anti Atlas Mountains. A few kilometers away is Abaynou, a small town known for its amazing valley that attracts campers and adventurers year-round. Here we had the opportunity to spend all night in the beautiful natural surroundings and make new friends.
We continued on our way toward Tantan on the banks of Oued Ben Jalil which flows into the Draa River. This is Morocco’s largest river, stretching 1100 kilometers and eventually ending at the Atlantic Ocean. Tantan is also a little piece of joy for surfers searching for a great spot to enjoy their hobby while being surrounded by beautiful landscapes.
The journey continued to Laayoune, the capital of the Boujdour- Sakia el Hamra Region, where visitors can find the breathtaking Foum el Oued beach around 30 kilometers outside of the city. Another attraction of this beach is the surrounding sand dunes and nearby Sakia el Hamra River.
A few hours later, we finally reached Dakhla, the capital of the Oued Ed-dahab – Lagouira Region. Dakhla is located on a peninsula that stretches out into the Atlantic Ocean creating a wonderful lagoon. This small town is becoming one of the world’s greatest wind and kite-board surfing destinations. The spot attracts both surf champions and wave enthusiasts with the beauty of its magical bay. Dakhla was also named as one of the top 45 places to go in 2012 by The New York Times and houses the largest Moroccan flag in the world, spanning over sixty thousand meters, according to the Guinness Book of World Records.
The combination of sea and desert are two huge features of Dakhla which ensure a peaceful and relaxing holiday. These themes are celebrated every March during the Dakhla Festival which attracts visitors from all over Morocco and abroad to discover the Saharan culture and music.
Although it takes numerous traveling hours to reach the southern region of the kingdom, a reward awaits those who break the chain of routine and discover these totally new and different destinations that fascinate visitors with their beauty.
Fez - Morocco may be known for its mouth-watering couscous and sandy Sahara camel rides but a new surf trend is taking over this coastal country suitably perched on Africa's northwest corner.
Morocco's coastlines stand in contrast to the hot and dry desert that sits deeper in the country and Moroccans and tourists alike are taking advantage of the surfing swells that roll into Morocco's beaches. Surfers from around the world come to Morocco to wax their boards and carve into the glassy waves of the Atlantic.
Young Moroccan surf groms can be seen charging waves along the coast and even Morocco's king, Mohammed VI, has been known to catch a few waves himself. The King's soft spot for surfing stirred him to open a surf club and training grounds for young surfers situated on the coast in Morocco's capital, Rabat.
The Oudayas Surf Club, financed by the King, offers surf hopefuls a chance to paddle out in the water with an instructor and learn how to take-off on a wave. While waiting for the next set to come through, surfers can look back at the coast and catch a unique view of Rabat and the Oudaya neighborhood that overlooks Rabat's coast.
A few other surf joints have popped up in beach huts along the shore and locals can be found drinking mint tea and jamming to reggae music before heading out to the line up.
Surf fanatics looking for an early morning froth session elsewhere in the country can head down to the city of Safi, known as a favorite Moroccan surf haunt. Veteran surfers can ride out a right-hand point break in Safi's foamy surf that rarely sees large crowds. Other small fishing towns in Morocco's southwest like Taghazout, just north of Agadir, provide surfers with a stretch of water that is ideal for long rides.
Ocean sur fhouse Taghazout, Moroccan owned and operated, provides digs for travelers and independent surfers in the area looking to hit the waves of this surf haven with a local crowd. The best time to stomp around on the waves of the Atlantic in Morocco is normally from October to April when the beaches take in nice groundswells and the weather and water stay warm.
Morocco is becoming increasingly better known in the worldwide professional surf community as natives like Ramzi Boukhiam, who learned to surf in Morocco, take some of the top spots in surf competitions around the globe. Along with the rise of surfing has been a surge in the amount of body boarders on Moroccan beaches, churning out one of the world's best body boarders, Brahim Iddouch who makes the Moroccan flag a common sight at surf competitions.
The country also hosts a variety of pro surf tournaments through the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Surf et Bodyboard that promotes water sports throughout the country. The variety of beaches and surf towns along Morocco's western edge gives visitors a chance to tackle some vicious waves and chat with residents about local culture.
The North African country is a hidden gem of sandy coasts and clear water that will become an essential surf stop for any surfer or betty looking for a gnarly surfing safari on the continent. Surf lovers can soak in the sun and salty Atlantic water all day before being washed back to shore by sunset to dig into a Moroccan tajine and sip freshly squeezed orange juice.
Photo Credits: Fédération Royale Marocaine de Surf et Bodyboard
Taroudant - The Moroccan resort city of Ifrane will host from February 28 to March2, 2014 the 2nd annual Ifrane Snow Festival, according to the Moroccan daily Le Matin.
The Association “Tourtite” for the promotion of cultural, artistic, sports, and touristism activities and the preservation of the heritage of mountain towns will organize the event in collaboration with the Province of Ifrane which aims to promote the tourism potential of the city.
Known as “Little Switzerland,” the Moroccan town of Ifrane will organize the “snow princess” contest to crown “Miss Snow Ifrane 2014,” to highlight the Amazigh region’s diverse culture.
This year’s program includes a children's village complete with a playground and various children’s entertainment activities, an exhibition of local products by various local cooperatives, and medical ? mobile centers? for the benefit of people in rural areas.
The event will also feature activities to increase awareness of environmental issues and instill the principles of environmental protection in the minds of the local population and tourists to maintain the city’s ranking as the second cleanest city in the world.
Zineb Azira, a litle girl, was crowned Miss Snow of Ifrane at the first Ifrane snow festival held in early February, 2013. The event attracted thousands of visitors, both from Morocco and abroad.
Perched on the heights of the Middle Atlas Mountain range in Morocco, the town of Ifrane is a cool resort for Moroccan families and tourist during summer, and a popular winter destination for ski-lovers in winter.
That humans suffer the worst deplorable situations imaginable on a daily basis is something that we might have grown accustomed to in Morocco. To see voiceless animals caged for life, deprived of food, and resigned to their plight, is heartbreaking and calls for alarm.
The Zoo of Ain Sebaa, located in Casablanca, the fledgling economic hub of Morocco, was an institution that was once the pride jewel of every Moroccan. The sad reality is that the Zoo has fallen on a downward hard times due to neglect and mismanagement for years, and has become more of a moral pitiful slow death of the animals living there under some of the most unsanitary despicable conditions those animals are subjected to everyday.
The zoo was a curious attraction to countless people from different ages and different parts of Morocco for decades. Now it is but a dilapidated long forgotten facility forsaken by time and misery and the misfortune of the resilient animals housed there.
The animals continue to make do with the meager rations they receive every now and then from the keepers. Lodged in cages with leaky roofs and clogged drains, many of these animals have surrendered to the benevolence of caring banana throwers here and there, pieces of meat here and there, and regular meals come most irregularly to them.
No one knows for sure how this fall from grace came about to afflict Ain Sbaa zoo, but we know for sure that it needs some urgent attention before animals start dying from preventable diseases and malnutrition.
Memories of kids begging their parents for weeks to get them to the zoo on the weekend were now just memories that haunt the conscience of those who still care. The sounds of their laughter as they were first introduced to a real monkey still resonate in my ears and in my hollow heart.
Visits to the Zoo taught kids to appreciate other forms of life and instill basic values such as respect for all creatures large and small. Respect for the animals that were not native to Morocco and were brought in as guests. They end up living in such unhospitable cages day in and day out.
The Zoo today is nothing but a stinky repulsive home to the very animals that were uprooted from their natural habitat only to end up bleeding life because they were uncared for, neglected, and deprived of the most basic needs. Perhaps the first feeling that hits you once you set foot on its ground is that of despair for the animals.
During the last visits that we made to the Zoo, we couldn't see one single guard in charge of making rounds to monitor the tours. Previously, three thieves climbed the walls of the Zoo in their attempt to steal the Zoo's only ostrich. Had there been a guard in there, the AMPAE believed, it wouldn't have been possible for these men to have injured the largest living bird.
On the bright side, the redevelopment of the zoo will be launched soon, but the fate of those animals is anyone’s guess. How are Moroccans going to be assured that the animals are not in danger? There is a general consensus among all who see the conditions of the animals at the zoo that something needs to be done urgently to prevent animal starvation and mistreatment at others zoos in the country.
A 3rd visit to the zoo will take place this Sunday, at 10am Ain Sebaa Zoo to raise awareness about this crisis, and to give the starving animals food and water.
More pictures of the zoo can be seen at the Association Marocaine pour la Protection des Animaux et de l'Environment on Facebook
Each Sunday, Morocco World News offers to its readers a listing of upcoming cultural events during the next week in Rabat.
Next week features a concert of Japanese traditional music, the screening of the German movie “Ghettokids” and the show of the play "Bourguiba, last prison,” as well as a briefing session presented by the German Goethe Institute, and more.
Concert of Traditional Japanese Music
Organized by the Embassy of Japan and the Japan Foundation, a concert of traditional Japanese music led by the group "Wakon Gakusho" will be held Tuesday, February 18th at 8pm. Wakon Gakusho will perform at the Auditorium of the National Library of in Rabat. According to a news release issued by the Japanese Embassy in Rabat, Wakon Gakusho, whose name describes the talented musicians as heirs of the spirituality of the Japanese tradition, is composed of three musicians and a dancer: Kazuhiro Fukui, who plays three-stringed lute Tsugaru,Kominato Akihisa on vertical bamboo flute), KANAZASHI Ryota on Japanese drums, and Matsuura Souki,a Japanese folk dancer.
La nuit de Court Métrage
On February 18, at 7:30pm, the national theatre Mohamed V will present “ La nuit de Court Métrage.” This event will present a selection of the best short films of the Gold Moroccan products between 2013 and 2014 presented by Hicham El Ouali.
Briefing session about Cultural and Student Life in Freiburg
The German institute in Rabat will organize a briefing session to describe the cultural and the student life in Freiburg City, Germany. Marlene Meyer, an intern at the Goethe Institute, will share her experience as a student in Freiburg, focussing on various facets of the city, including the academic offerings of the local university, and non-academic life involving conferences, sports, language courses, cultural events.
The briefing session will answer questions that Moroccan students considering study in Freiburg may have, such as, what is student and university life like in Freiburg? Where to go in the evenings? What are the tourist attractions? What requirements must be met in order to study in Freiburg? What are the courses offered in the universities of the city? How to buy health insurance? How to find accommodation in Freiburg?,according to the news release.
This meeting will take place on Wednesday, February 19, at 5 p.m. in the library of the Goethe Institute in Rabat.
Screening of the German movie “Ghettokids”
Offering a series of 14 films of the New German Cinema from February through June, 2014 to cinema lovers, the German Goethe-Institute will present the 90-minute dramatic movie “Ghettokids.” The film will be screened in its original version with French subtitles.
Thursday, February 20 at the Goethe-Institute of Rabat at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free.
Jazz concert of the Big Band of the Royal Symphony Orchestra
On Friday, February 21, The Big Band of the Royal Symphony Orchestra offers a jazz concert to Jazz fans in Rabat. The concert will present a new rich and varied program with pieces by well-known composers and arrangers under the direction of Oleg Reshetkin. This event will take place in the Theatre of Mohamed V. The ticket price is MAD 113, on sale at mydeal-tickets.
The play of play "Bourguiba, last prison"
To all Rabatian lovers of theater, AL Manar Association will present the play "Bourguiba, last prison," performed by Raja Farhat, a prominent Tunisian actor. The play treats the life and the path of the Tunisian leader, Habib Bourguiba, during the 20th century, and sheds light on the struggle against French colonialism and the efforts of the people to build a modern Tunisian state.
The play also mentions the life of "supreme combatant" through several adventures: victories and defeats, the vicissitudes of politics, war of Bizerte, the painful events of 1978, 1980 and 1984, all in an attractive style, not devoid of humor despite the serious context.
This play will be performed on Saturday, February 22 in the National Library of Kingdom OF Morocco in Rabat. Tickets are MAD 150, on sale at mydeal-tickets.
Rabat - Plastic artist Najat Elbaz will display her work at a private gallery run by the American Moroccans Network in a ceremony to honor accomplished Moroccan journalists next June in Washington D.C.
The event, which will take place on June 20th and 21st, is an opportunity for the young artist to exhibit her masterpieces for renowned Moroccan journalists residing in the U.S..
In an exclusive interview with the artist, Najat Elbaz commends Mohamed Hajjam, chair of the American Moroccans Network. "I would love to congratulate Mr. Mohamed Hajjam for this amazing initiative to honor Moroccan journalists residing in the U.S. They should be proud of themselves, because Morocco certainly is," she said. "I am very happy and honored to take part in the event. I wish our diaspora of journalists in the U.S. all the success and all the best," she added.
Najat Elbaz is a self-made artist originally from Meknes. She began making art at age 3, when her mother discovered her heavenly gift and became her greatest supporter. Ms. Elbaz depicted Meknes in a piece meant to symbolize authenticity using the city’s architectural monuments, which witnessed the rise and fall of multiple civilizations..
She is a faithful ambassador of Moroccan colors and traditional art. She has presented her work at various events inside and outside of Morocco. She has received multiple awards, most recently at the Mediterranean festival in Alhoceima organized by the Association Orid.
Elbaz does not just express her love for her country; she takes it as her duty to represent Moroccan women.
New Jersey- I have always loved tea. I remember when my grandmother used to visit, she would make Earl Grey tea, and our house would smell like it all morning. The scent was so deep and dark that I desperately wanted to try it for myself.
One day, my grandmother let me have a sip of her just-brewed tea. Excitedly, I held the mug to my lips, blew over to cool it down, and took a huge gulp. The hot bitterness was instantaneous, and I twisted my face in disgust.
“Silly girl,” my grandmother said, “you didn’t wait until I put the sugar in!” I returned the tea to her, and she dropped three heaping teaspoons of sugar into the tiny mug.
“Try now,” she offered. This time, I cautiously took a tiny sip. The sugar did wonders. Although I burned my tongue in the process, I happily slurped up a few more sips of tea and remembered to leave some for my grandmother. Sugar makes tea so much better, I thought.
That’s why I was so excited for my first trip to Morocco. Growing up, I did not learn much about the Maghreb, but I did know that Morocco was famous for it’s sweet, sweet mint tea. I had read that mint was bountiful in the region, and there were traditional ways of serving and pouring. But despite everything I had heard, nothing could have prepared me for the deliciousness that is Moroccan mint tea.
My first visit to Morocco came in the summer. Due to the heat and humidity, I didn’t expect to drink much tea at all. To my surprise, the weather had absolutely no bearing on how much I drank. Indeed, I happily downed many cups of scalding mint tea with my classmates on a trip to Erfoud in southern Morocco.
The idea is that drinking something near boiling will make your body not feel as hot in the unbearable temperatures—or so I was told. Regardless, I’m pretty sure that during that summer, I drank more (and sweeter) tea than I ever had in my entire life.
I will always remember the first time my Moroccan roommate made mint tea for me. I was absolutely baffled by the amount of sugar she put in. One, two, three, four, five cubes in a tiny pot! A fistful of mint sprigs was stuffed in as well. Washing the tea, boiling the water, letting everything simmer on the stove—it was all magic to me. She produced two delicate glasses, into which she poured the sweet mixture. I thought for sure she would splash and burn herself as she raised the teapot above her head, but as an experienced tea-pourer, she did not. Although she emphasized that it was by far not her best pot of tea, I enjoyed every last sweet, sticky drop.
Now back in America, I have strong cravings for Moroccan mint tea from time to time. Because I do not always have fresh mint, I usually feed this craving by going to a small café right down the road that makes coffee and tea from around the world. It’s definitely not the same as the authentic experience, but it does do the job of curing the craving and a bit of nostalgia.
Casablanca - I was born in Casablanca, and I have been living here for 23 years. Indeed, it is a city in progress, with its own imperfections and idiosyncrasies.
However, if you are considering living in Casablanca for a long period, but are still hesitant about it, then here are 3 reasons why you should stop thinking and start packing up!
Work is Abundant…I Really Mean it!
Sounds like an awful hyperbole, I know, but if you have at least obtained your baccalaureate and can speak a second language, then you can easily find a job in Casablanca—easier than you imagine!
For instance, Morocco’s economic city is known for hosting a multitude of call centers that operate mainly in French. There are also call centers that require English-speaking or Spanish-speaking job applicants. These businesses hire by thousands, and there are many of them created almost every week.
If you do not hold a degree or a certificate but can speak a foreign language quite fluently, then you can get a job at a call center in a blink of an eye. Some call centers recruit new employees right after the job interview. This is a good thing for people who want to live in Casablanca and need an urgent source of income.
If you are a foreigner and your mother tongue is one of the languages requested in the job market, then you will find a job easily in Casablanca. You can for example teach your mother tongue in an educational institution or do some private tutoring—the list of possibilities is long!
I think you got the message: you should at least speak and write a foreign language quite fluently; otherwise, it’s not only in Casablanca where life would be hard for you, but also in any other Moroccan city you head to.
A Myriad of Pocket-Friendly Transportation Means
Casablanca is increasingly becoming an over-populated city, mainly because of the job opportunities it offers to new comers from other cities or from abroad. One of the problems you may face then is long traffic jams. However, if you take some time to be acquainted with the city’s various transportation means, then you will get over the problem easily.
Many people complain about traffic jams in Casablanca and the lack of appropriate roads for vehicles—that’s actually true! But if you do not own a car and are just worried about how to get to your new job in Casablanca easily, then you will have a plethora of transportation choices.
White cabs maybe one of your alternatives if you cannot afford a red cab. White taxis have a fixed transportation fee, whereas red cabs charge you depending on the distance they go, which may literally leave holes in your pockets, especially if you live quite far from where you work.
White cabs are pocket-friendly, and there are enough of them to take you wherever you want. Their drivers know the city very well, and are keen at finding shortcuts that will allow you to reach your destination sooner than you calculate. However, if you cannot tolerate awkward, uncomfortable sitting positions, then just cross this alternative off.
Buses in Casablanca are another pocket-friendly means of transportation. There are so many buses from different companies that share the same line, which increases your chances of reaching your job on time. You just need to be aware of the various times of the day a particular bus shows up at the closest bus stop to you, and learn the list of all bus lines and all the places they go to—a little Google search can do the job!
Other than buses and white cabs, you can use the tramway, which also has a fixed transportation fee, and is by far one of the fastest and most comfortable of all affordable means of transportation in Casablanca.
Get Whatever You Want…Whenever You Want
I have been to other cities in Morocco, and believe me, Casablanca is the city where you just can’t complain about not finding a particular product or service. The city was not labeled Morocco’s economic capital for nothing.
Even in the most recently constructed neighborhood of Casablanca, you can find shops for almost any products. Small-scale businesses grow fast in the city. When someone notices a lack of a particular service in a particular area of Casablanca, chances are he or she will open a shop there in the next two days to meet that need.
Competitiveness among small businesses in the Casablanca is the highest in Morocco. You can find, for example, four cafés one next to the other, and each one of them competes to attract more clients than the other café. The same thing applies to shops, restaurants, automobile repair shops and even gas stations—conclusion: you will never have to queue or travel streets to buy a battle of water.
If you’re the lazy or the busy type, you can simply make a call or order online and you will get whatever you wish delivered to you the soonest possible. Many small businesses in Casablanca are increasingly considering the use of technology and delivery services to meet the needs of their clients. Mind you, this does not apply to products like a jam jar, so don’t be that lazy!
However, regardless of the three reasons listed in this article, living in Casablanca can be a blessing if you:
- Know how to smartly control your expenses
- Know the most popular boulevards and neighborhoods in the city as well as the most important institutions in it
- Know how to get to these institutions the fastest possible
- Are a good bargainer—not when buying a jam jar, though
- Are a very sociable person and make friends easily—but don’t be an annoying person
- Are a very vigilant person—who keeps his or her hands in her pockets when the bus is crowded!
With that all said, welcome to Morocco’s economic capital.
Rabat - The 5th annual Marrakech Biennale brings top graffiti artists for five weekends of live graffiti performance on the walls of Marrakesh.
The most famous international artists in the contemporary graffiti scene, Lek, Sowat and Arnaud Liard, will offer graffiti lovers a live performance in the streets of Marrakesh near the David Bloch gallery on Rue des Vieux Marrakchis.
Lek and Sowat are French Graffiti artists; both began their work on the streets of Paris, painting creative graffiti on the ground, between subway trains and in factories or unused parking lots. Now, they are considered the best graffiti artists in the world.
According to the Moroccan newspaper L’economiste, each Saturday of the first four weekends a different graffiti artist will paint a work onto one of Marrakesh’s old walls, and on Sunday they will participate in the Sunday Sunset Concerts, painting on the walls of the red room at Café Clock alongside a musical performance.
This series of performances will culminate in a final performance, to take place on the last weekend of the Biennale, during which all four graffiti artists will collaborate on a large mural opposite the Biennale office in Marrakech.
Casablanca - “I want to start a revolution,” says Moroccan Asmaa Benkirane, who will soon introduce Morocco’s entrancing attire, the Caftan, to the residents of Miami, Florida, in the United States.
The magic of the Moroccan Caftan is increasingly sweeping the globe, enchanting beholders from all cultures and nationalities. Soon, fashion adorers in Miami will be added to the list of the Caftan’s international lovers.
Born to a Moroccan father and a Spanish mother, Asmaa Benkirane is another inspiring ambassador of the Moroccan Caftan abroad.
Asmaa intends to build a cultural bridge between the Atlas Mountains and Miami, by introducing the Caftan to its residents through her glamorous boutique, Le Beau Maroc, expected to launch its first shop on Saturday, March 8th, at Semilla Eatery & Bar in Miami Beach.
"I think Miami is a really good niche because there is a lot of Latin influence and they'll be much more open to wearing something different," says Asmaa, quoted by the website Miaminewstimes.
According to Asmaa, the Caftan will revolutionize the fashion scene in Miami, mainly because it is “sexy yet sophisticated at the same time."
Yet, mind you, Asmaa’s Caftan is a different experience. Born to two parents from different backgrounds, her conceptualization of the Caftan mixes two rich cultures, the Moroccan and the Spanish.
For Asmaa, Le Beau Maroc will allow people in Miami to experience and perceive beauty outside their cultural “box.”
"What I try to transmit to the people of Miami is to try something different from the typical gala dress." “You can be sexy in a different way. Bring something original," she said.
The Caftan is not the first Moroccan cultural icon that Asmaa has introduced to Miami. Argan oil is the other unique Moroccan specialty that Asmaa has shared with the residents of this American city.
