A visit to the Ancienne Medina (old market) and lunch at La Sqala.
 |
| The main entrance into the ancienne Medina.There is a new market not far away, but not too interesting, we were told! |
 |
| Walking through the narrow (and narrower!) streets. Shops and stalls on both sides; we felt perfectly safe amongst the throng we encountered, but didn't take too many photos there, for fear of causing offence. |
 |
| So much to see and take in. Stall after stall all selling the same type of goods! |
 |
| Everything was on sale from meat ... |
 |
| to live chicken |
 |
| and fish - probably very fresh - the port is only 200 metres away! Note the rusty old scales! |
 |
| Luckily we "acquired" a self-appointed, English speaking guide who helped us to buy a tajine from a stall deep in the rabbit warren of streets, gifted us a packet of mixed Moroccan spices from his "uncle", and also helped us find our way back out from the maze of streets. One can get completely lost in a couple of minutes (no street names), so he was worth every penny of his tip and was a mine of information, having lived there for all of his 35 years. He went to school there, and and sometimes spent up to 18 hours a day as a child, learning about Islam and becoming a good Muslim. We were told that on one afternoon a week, the Medina is open only to women. Men are not allowed in the streets, and if they are shop owners they have to remain within the limits of their shop! |
 |
| He then took us through the Jewish quarter in the medina, which we did not realise existed -it's not on the maps! Judaism and Islam have existed here side by side for around 500 years. Our guide commented on how poor the buildings all looked from the outside, but he said that inside they were beautiful and opulent!! The town of Casablanca is also home to North Africa’s largest Jewish population, many being middle-class or wealthy Moroccans. |
 |
| another building in the Jewish quarter |
 |
| Such a choice of items on sale. These, we thought, were all for the tourist trade. Cruise ships often stop in the nearby port, so there is plenty of business! |
 |
| A visit to La Sqala restaurant, recommended by our hotel, for lunch. An 18th century fort converted to better uses, for today's requirements. It's close enough to the medina and the port, but as you can see from the photo below, no longer overlooks the water!! The necessity for land reclamation to provide more space has no doubt caused this situation. |
 |
| Nigel studying one of the old cannons. Casablanca is the principal port of Morocco and is the centre of finance, industry, commerce, media and manufacturing. |
 |
| The tables are set in the open courtyard, with sun umbrellas, fountains and trees. A lovely atmosphere, with friendly waiters and Moroccan cuisine. A good place to be in Christmas week - sunshine and 22 degrees that day! |
 |
| The service counter |
 |
| Moroccan bread with spiced sauces. |
 |
| Nigel ordered a tajine oxtail special - none too generous helping! |
 |
| and I had tajine poisson. No matter what I ordered, I always seemed to get the biggest plateful! |
 |
| Nigel finished off his meal with a mango ice and coffee |
 |
| and I had a nougat ice cream. I might add we only had breakfast and lunch while we were in Casablanca, other than the first day, when we had a late dinner. We did not want to tip the scales too much on our return to the Charente! |
See also - My Life Before Charente Updated 26/01/2013
