From Casablanca to Cairo

We're on our last day in Morocco. Six weeks have gone by rather quickly, however filled with what seems like a years worth of adventures.

We came to Casablanca without expectations, which I think is the best way to approach country's biggest and busiest city. Other than the Hassan II mosque, third biggest in the world after Mecca and Medina, there are not many other attractions for the traveler other than the more western shopping district, including shops such as Benetton, Zara, Masimo Dutti and La Senza. The French Art Deco architecture is also quite interesting to see. The French made Casa what it is today. When they arrived all that was there was a small fishing village, tiny Medina. They left a metriopolis a behind.

After visiting the very impressive mosque (half a billion dollars US raised to build, beginning in 1986 an completed in 1993) on the first day we were left without much to do in a cold hotel room without at TV. On top of it all, Tom was sick and feeling horrible. So...after the second night at Hotel Galia, a decent budget choice, we moved to the Ramada. Very pleased are we with the decision because it has meant baths with hot water for me and a great bed for Tom, as well as satellite TV. We'll be clean and well rested, no longer sick and excited for more adventures once we reach Cairo tomorrow evening.

One more comment on the cuisine of the North African country. We did eat at Rick's Café and thoroughly enjoyed the ambiance. The food was alright. Nice hot wholemeal roll to start and of course Casablanca beer. Tom enjoyed his chili con carne with guacamole and chips, while my chicken curry with rice, chutney and rhita was ok (rice undercooked for me, but I'm picky). We topped that today though with a lovely meal at the Lonely Planet recommended Café Maure. Set among the garden and ochre coloured walls of the sqala, a bastion finished in 1769, this restaurant has the best food I have tasted in Morocco. Fresh bread, chili and tomato sauces, along with garlicky fresh olives and a selection of four tropical juices started off our meals. Tom then had grilled shrimp with roasted veggies, while I chose an assortment of five salads served on a long blue wooden tray in green and yellow bowls. Gorgeous and garlicky each one, from a simple carrot and coriander, octopus with lemon and parsley, lentils in a olive oil sauce, goats cheese one greens with grapefruit dressing and finally green beans cooked perfectly in a tomato sauce: delish.

Looking forward to comparing it to the salad portion of the Middle Eastern spread or mezze.

Hoping everyone is getting ready for the holiday season. It seems a million miles away from here. We did get a little bit of a Christmas feeling yesterday at the 'mall' downtown when they played some carols and Santa came around (although we did miss Santa). Hoping for a Christmas tree at our hotel in Cairo.