Saturday, December 17, 2011

Summer Travels: Casablanca

Despite our guidebook's somewhat negative impression, one of our favorite cities in Morocco ended up being Casablanca.  We did find the city industrial and modern, without the same old world charm as Fez's medina; however, we were free to wander without constant pestering by salesmen, and therefore enjoyed the food, architecture, and people-watching more than anywhere else in Morocco up to this point.  Plus, the drive south leaving Casa (as the locals call it) to our next destination of Essaouira, was breathtaking, as you can see from the last handful of photos this week.  Enjoy!



Funny Casa "Magix" Billboard

Fruit Vendor

Casa Style

Fish Market

Beautiful Post Office

I Want to Live Here

Boy Cleaning Grill Outside

Delicious Street Tagine




Casa Palm Trees

Street "Market"

Beautiful Courtyard Restaurant

Colorful Juice Store

Boy Riding Donkey (on our drive south from Casa)


Father and Child

The Craggy Moroccan Coast


The Atlantic on a Beautiful Day

Melon and Squash For Sale on the Roadside


Farming by the Sea

Arabic Stop Sign

Colorful Temple

Nearing Essaouira

Tagines For Sale in the Hot Moroccan Sun

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Summer Travels: Fez

Fez is one of the most beautiful cities we encountered in Morocco, but also one of the hottest (!) and one of the most infuriating in terms of pushy merchants.  After a day of endless annoyances, we were forced to hire a guide on the second day to drive away the hagglers.  Luckily, we still enjoyed maneuvering the maze of the medina, and I took hundreds of photos.  Here are my favorites.


The Beautiful Fez Medina Sunlight

No Vehicles Allowed in the Medina!

Intricate Tile Fountain

Paintings for Sale

A Busy Covered Alley

Fascinating Antique Shop

The Dirty Underbelly of Fez (sewage)

An Arched View

The Medina Square

A Packed City Bus

Sign: No Donkeys Allowed

Beautiful Glimpse

Random Mickey Graffiti

Mosque Archways

The Incredible Leather Dying District

Leather Drying

Spice Shop Spices

Graceful Alleyway

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Summer Travels: Tangiers

At long last, the first glimpse at my Morocco photos!  After about an hour-long ride on the ferry from Spain across the Med, we landed in Tangiers, and spent two days there wandering the streets in awe of the other-worldliness of North Africa.  Looking through my photos after being home for over 3 months, Morocco looks even more exotic than I remembered...


First Glimpse of Tangiers from the Ferry Parking Lot

One of Many Tangiers Medina Gates or "Babs"

The Blues and Greys of the Medina Streets

Interesting European Style Architecture

Pink and Green Shutters on a Street Corner

Looking Toward Spain

A Boy Runs Along the Medina Wall

Alas, We Never Ate At "Ray Charly"

Our First Mint Tea (one of many)

A Beautiful & Delicious Lunch

Intricate Wood Work

A City Square With Gangly Palm Trees

A Cute Building

Unknown Industrial Work on the Outskirts of the Medina

Rue de La Casbah!

The Medina Wall, With Rugs Airing Out

An Amazing Row of Medina Doors

More Irresistible Doors

A Dramatic Building Facade

A Glimpse Down an Alley

The Boyfriend--Through the Thick Medina Wall, Looking North

A Sprig of Yellow Flowers Adorns a Beautifully Aged Building