27 Before 27: Here’s looking at you, kid…

Hassan II mosque in Casablanca.

Had you asked me where this phrase comes from a week ago I wouldn’t have been able to tell you because I don’t tend to watch movies that were made before me. However, in preparation for our port-of-call in Casablanca, Morocco, the student life staff organized a screening of the movie Casablanca and having just completed a five-day stint in Morocco, I am now fully apprised of both the movie and also the actual city!

We arrived in Casablanca on Wednesday and I spent the first day touring the city. The main attraction in Casablanca is the Hassan II Mosque, an enormous structure that can accommodate 25,000 worshippers inside and another 80,000 outside! The Mosque is the largest mosque in Africa and one of the largest in the world. The Mosque is very modern with Moorish-style ornate details. The architecture reminded me of the Alhambra in Granada which was also influenced by the Moors.

Rick's Cafe in Casablanca.

The other top attraction in Casablanca is Rick’s Café. Now this is not the same café as featured in Casablanca but it’s designed to have the same feel. I only took pictures from the outside because unfortunately I’d heard from other SASers that the service was poor and the food and drinks were overpriced. Considering I’d only discovered the movie a few days prior, a picture from the outside sufficed!

I spent the remainder of my time in Morocco camel trekking and nomad camping near Marrakech. I was pretty anxious about this trip for two reasons: (1) about two days before the trip, a faculty member told me all these horror stories about people falling off camels. I was very worried and even Googled “how to ride a camel” in hopes that some secret would be revealed. The big secret was “hold on!” (2) I don’t camp. By “don’t camp” I mean I’ve never done it before and have never had a desire to begin a camping career. However I guess if you have to have a first camping experience, Morocco is an exotic enough place to give it a try. I am happy to report that I am alive and well after a night spent in the Moroccan wilderness and I did not fall off my camel!

Marrakech is located inland about three hours from Casablanca and is called the “red city” because all the buildings are red in color. The city is incredibly charming and full of all sorts of Moroccan delights including snake-charmers, monkey-handlers, wonderful food including traditional tajine, Moroccan spices and more. I spent about one day in Marrakech but this was not enough. I want to go back to Marrakech…and soon!

Spending a few days in Morocco was a great way to end the spring voyage. There were enough things to see and do to stay busy but not so many things that you didn’t get enjoy time with friends. It’s crazy to think in just a few days I’ll arrive in Southampton, England – our final port-of-call for the spring 2014 voyage. Where did the time go?!