Casablanca: Dust, Mint Tea, and a Whole Lot of 'Almost'
okay, so casablanca. it’s…a lot. i’m a freelance photographer, and honestly, i usually chase light, and this place feels like it’s permanently filtered through a sepia tone. not bad, just…different. i landed with absolutely zero expectations, which, looking back, was probably the smartest thing i did.
first impressions? the air. it’s thick, smells like the *ocean and something sweet, maybe dates. i just checked and it’s…a bit clingy, like a well-meaning aunt who won’t let you go. the weather report said 14.58 celsius, feels like 14.1, with a high of 15.04. honestly, it just feels dusty. pressure’s at 1021, humidity’s a solid 77%, and the sea level is also 1021, but the ground level is 996. numbers, right? who needs ‘em.
spent the first day just wandering the medina. it’s a labyrinth, seriously. i got lost approximately seventeen times. but that’s the point, isn’t it? stumbled upon this tiny little shop selling spices - the colors were insane. i tried to haggle, failed miserably, and ended up paying way too much for saffron. worth it.
"apparently, the best tagine is not where the tourists go. you gotta find the place with the plastic chairs and the grumpy owner."
that’s what some guy at a cafe told me, after i asked for recommendations. he was nursing a mint tea and looked like he hadn’t slept in days. i took his advice, found a place that fit the description, and…he wasn’t wrong. the tagine was incredible.
people here are…reserved, but friendly. i’ve been trying to learn a few phrases in darija, which is going…poorly. my pronunciation is atrocious. i overheard someone saying that the best way to blend in is to just look confused. i’m excelling at that part. if you get bored, rabat and marrakech are just a quick train ride away. i’m thinking of heading to marrakech next, but i’m not sure yet.
there’s this constant hum of activity, a low thrum of life. scooters zipping past, vendors shouting, the call to prayer echoing from the mosques. it’s chaotic, but it’s also…beautiful. i’ve been trying to capture it in my photos, but it’s hard. it’s more than just a visual thing, it’s a feeling.
someone warned me about pickpockets in the old city, said to keep my bag close and be aware of my surroundings. i’ve been pretty careful, but it’s still unsettling. i also heard that the best place to get leather goods is in a specific souk, but you have to know the right people to get a good price. TripAdvisor has some threads about it.
spent an afternoon at rick’s cafe*, obviously. it’s touristy, yeah, but it’s also…iconic. the piano player was good, the cocktails were overpriced, and the atmosphere was…well, it was rick’s cafe. You can find reviews on Yelp. i’m not sure if it lived up to the hype, but it was an experience.
overall? casablanca is a city of contradictions. it’s gritty and glamorous, ancient and modern, chaotic and calm. it’s not a place that reveals its secrets easily. you have to earn its trust. and honestly, i’m not sure i have yet. but i’m enjoying the process of trying. check out this local forum for more info: Casablanca Expat Forum. and if you're looking for a place to stay, Booking.com has a ton of options.
You might also be interested in:
- https://votoris.com/post/sakai-schools-streets-and-the-messy-truth-nobody-tells-you
- https://votoris.com/post/so-paulo-concrete-jungles-and-pastel-dreams-dont-me-4
- https://votoris.com/post/moco-angola-a-diy-buskers-messy-week
- https://votoris.com/post/what-is-hamhng-famous-for-icons-history-and-legends-3
- https://votoris.com/post/lagos-a-digital-nomads-sticky-adventure