Casablanca: Dust, Mint Tea, and a Seriously Chill Vibe
okay, so casablanca. it wasn't what i expected, honestly. i mean, the movie's iconic, right? but walking around, it's…different. less Humphrey Bogart, more organized chaos. i landed with absolutely no plan, just a vague idea of finding good *coffee and not getting hopelessly lost.
I'm a freelance photographer, and usually, I'm all about meticulously planned shots, golden hour, the whole shebang. But this trip? Nah. I just wandered. I spent a solid afternoon getting lost in the medina, which, let me tell you, is a sensory overload in the best way. The smells of spices, the calls of the vendors, the sheer density of everything… it’s a lot.
I just checked and it's…a bit damp, actually, with a breeze that smells like the ocean and something vaguely floral. The weather app says eleven point nine degrees, but honestly, it feels cooler, like eleven point one. The humidity is definitely a thing - seventy-six percent, apparently. Makes my camera gear feel perpetually sticky.
I ended up in this tiny little cafe, completely by accident. It was tucked away down an alley, and the owner, this guy named Omar, just waved me in. He didn't speak much English, and my Arabic is…nonexistent, but we communicated through gestures and a lot of smiling. He made me the most incredible mint tea I’ve ever had. Seriously. It was like drinking sunshine.
Someone told me that the restaurant Rick’s Café is super touristy, but worth a peek just for the atmosphere. Apparently, it’s a total rip-off price-wise, but the building itself is beautiful. I overheard a couple arguing about it on the tram - she wanted to go, he was adamant it was a “total scam.” Here's a TripAdvisor link.
I’ve been trying to find some good street art, but it’s proving a little elusive. I’ve seen bits and pieces, mostly tags and small murals, but nothing really substantial. I did find this amazing little vintage shop though, crammed full of leather jackets and old cameras. Spent way too much money, obviously. Check out this Yelp page for vintage shops.
My neighbors are…loud. In a good way, mostly. Lots of music, lots of chatter. If you get bored, Rabat and Marrakech are just a short train ride away. I’m thinking of heading to Rabat next, maybe check out the Kasbah of the Udayas. Here's a local forum about travel in Morocco.
I heard that the Hassan II Mosque is absolutely breathtaking, but you have to go at specific times for tours. Apparently, it’s the only mosque in Morocco that non-Muslims are allowed to enter. I also heard from a guy at the hostel that you should always haggle in the souks, and start at about a third of the asking price. He claimed he got a beautiful rug for a steal that way.
I’m running on about four hours of sleep, fueled by mint tea and sheer stubbornness. This trip is messy, chaotic, and completely unplanned. And honestly? I wouldn’t have it any other way. I'm thinking of checking out the Corniche later, maybe grab some seafood*.
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