Casablanca, You’re Only The Second Tallest

Flight To Casablanca Please

Passing from Europe to Africa is quick. One easy flight from Valencia to Casablanca.

Airborne, we instantaneously passed over the same terrain we had covered for two weeks. Physically exhausted, the entire family was mentally ready to go home. A Royal Air Maroc 17 hour layover in Morocco demanded otherwise.

Tell Me A Little About Yourself Casablanca

Outside the Mohammed V International Airport, an unofficial taxi driver tried to cut the queue and score the fare downtown. The group of registered drivers wouldn’t allow it. We climbed inside the coated Moroccan’s van. My lack of Arabic and his lack of French impeded conversation. We resorted to occasional points outside and understanding nods.

At night, Casablanca rendered itself unappealing and dirty. The dawn sunlight faithfully confirmed this. It’s even dirtier and uglier in person.

Not My First Taxi

Exiting the Sheraton Casablanca, a row of taxis happily offered rides to the Africa’s largest mosque for only 100 durham. Hassan II Mosque is only ten minutes away. Experience knew this price was excessive. Contrarily, the hundred red petit taxis running Moroccans up and down the dusty roads would afford a more economic choice. The petit taxi cost 10 durham.

Tenth Largest In The World You Say?

Hassan II Mosque juts out partly over the Atlantic Ocean. French architect Michel Pinseau designed it. Construction finished in 1993 and only took six years to build. The minaret is the second tallest in the world. The mosque, in addition to being a place of worship, provided an attractive and iconic symbol to a rather dismal city.

Juxtaposed against the surrounding area, the imposing Hassan II Mosque is well maintained. With limited time, I joined other early risers. The inside reflected the same grandeur of great European churches. Their similarities may well echo the fact that these major religions might have more in common than what separates.

The guided tour concluded and the pending flight to Doha ended my morning at the mosque. In the petit taxi back to the hotel the driver, “Qasem Soleimani a été tué aujourd’hui par un drone en Irak pour Trump.” Another immediate reason to try and build bridges and mutual understandings.

Thus, a quick exploration of Casablanca rendered my initial opinion. Casablanca is the ugly step sister of Morocco, similar to New Mexico in the United States. Tangier, Marrakesh, and Fes are enticing. Casablanca, not so much. Next time I find myself here, it will be to another corner of the country or continent.

U2 – You’ve been all over
And it’s been all over you
It’s a beautiful day
Don’t let it get away