Back to Feed
Long Read

Casablanca: Dust, Mint Tea, and a Seriously Confusing Number

@Alex Rivera3/4/2026blog

okay, so i’m currently fueled by approximately three liters of mint tea and a vague sense of disorientation. casablanca, man. it’s…a lot. i arrived with this weird sequence of numbers rattling around in my brain - 2508287 and 1012021090 - don’t ask, it’s a long story involving a lost bet and a very enthusiastic numerologist. honestly, it feels more relevant than most travel guides so far.


let’s talk about the weather. i just glanced outside and it’s…a dry heat, clinging to everything like a second skin. the air smells like exhaust and spices, which is a combo i’m surprisingly into. the official stats say 15.34 degrees celsius, feels like 13.9, pressure’s at 1018, humidity’s a pathetic 37%, and the sea level is also 1018, but honestly? those numbers don’t feel right. it feels warmer, somehow. maybe it’s the sun bouncing off all the *white buildings.

i’m a vintage clothes picker, so naturally, i’ve spent the last two days elbow-deep in souks. it’s a sensory overload, but in the best way. i found this incredible embroidered jacket - seriously, it’s going to be the centerpiece of my fall wardrobe. haggling is an art form here, and i’m pretty sure i still overpaid, but who cares? it’s a story, right?

someone told me that the best leather goods aren’t in the souks, but in a tiny workshop just outside the medina. apparently, you have to ask for ‘Old Man Hassan’ and tell him ‘the sparrow sent you.’ cryptic, i know.


the people here are…intense. in a good way. they’re always trying to sell you something, or offer you directions (even if you didn’t ask), or just strike up a conversation. it’s exhausting, but also kind of charming. if you get bored, rabat and marrakech are just a quick train ride away. i’m thinking of a day trip to rabat, maybe.


i overheard a couple of tourists complaining about the constant offers for “help” and “deals.” apparently, someone tried to convince them that a particular rug was “a family heirloom” and then quoted them a price that could fund a small nation. i heard that you should always start at about a quarter of the asking price and be prepared to walk away. TripAdvisor has some good advice on navigating the souks.

i’ve been mostly eating street food - tagine, couscous, grilled meats. it’s all amazing, and ridiculously cheap. i found this little hole-in-the-wall place near the mosque* that serves the best harira soup i’ve ever had. Check out Yelp for local recommendations.


someone warned me about pickpockets in the old medina, so i’m keeping my valuables close. apparently, they’re particularly good at distracting you with elaborate stories or offers of assistance. This forum has some safety tips. honestly, it feels pretty safe, but it’s always good to be aware of your surroundings.

i’m still trying to figure out what those numbers mean. maybe they’re coordinates to a hidden treasure? maybe they’re just a random string of digits. who knows? that’s the beauty of travel, isn’t it? embracing the chaos and the unknown. i’m off to find more mint tea and maybe, just maybe, a clue to the mystery of 2508287 and 1012021090. Here's a local blog about Casablanca.

You might also be interested in:

About the author: Alex Rivera

Trying to make sense of the world, one article at a time.

Loading discussion...