rabat (the capital)
Rabat is the capital of Morocco, but as with many other capitals, it isn't the most densly populated. Only 1.5 million people live here,as opposed to 5 million in Casablanca (Casa for those who know...). We're now getting quite used to travelling though we've had no majorly long journeys yet (5 & 1/2 hrs from Tangiers) we seem to be clocking up the kilometres (see km counter). After getting off the train and trying to find our hotel by foot (thanks to Akim, a guy we met on the train who tried to help us find it), we realised that we had made a mistake in arriving at night. Even the police couldn't decipher our map and sent us round in circles! So accepting defeat we checked into the first hotel we came across which ended up, although still very reasonable, posh even by our standards (337Dh - £22.40 for the room and brekky), the only drawback being its proximity to a mosque and the wailing to prayer woke us at 5am. Its amazing how different things look in the light, the next morning we ventured out to find that we were not far away from where we wanted to stay in the first place.
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Many towns and cities in Morocco are split into two distinct sections, the medinas and the ville nouvelles, the old medina which are walled cities date back many centuries (enetered through gates known locally as babs), whereas the ville nouvelles are a throwback from French colonialism. There is a stark contrast between these two areas within the cities.
Avenue Mohammed
V in the Medina While the Ville Nouvelles gives a very cosmopolitan european feel, the medinas are the most interesting. There is an ordered yet still chaotic hustle and bustle to the tiny streets, packed with shops and stalls of all descriptions, which is quite unlike anything experienced before. We have found oursleves wondering around endlessly and constantly amazed at what is on offer, there is nothing that you can't buy here. Café society Moroccan style is very serious business, there must be more Salon du Thé's and Pattisseries than anything else, and they are always jam packed full. The Salon du Thé's are a male preserve where they sit and watch the world go by over sweet mint tea and strong coffee. As you would expect, we opted for the patisseries where the tables are full, the gossip fierce and the cakes delicious (and even more delightfully cheap). Special mention to Café Majestic for the chocalte fudge brownies and custard slices - marvellous at 10Dh (66p) for both! |
Thats about that for Rabat except to say we loved it for various reasons; the hustle and bustle of the medina; the relaxed order of the ville nouvelle; and when it all got too much, the peace and quiet of the beach and being able to watch the waves crash against the rocks and sea walls. All of this being within ten minutes walk of each other. We hope to return here as we don't think we have spent as much time here as we would like.
Oh well, onwards and upwards, quite literally, to the sprawling mass that is Meknes, set at the southern foot of the Rif Mountains. Keep on clicking.......
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