BTW that quilt is at Quilts by Cathy to be quilted.
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Tuesday, December 31, 2019
Testing, testing
This is only a test 🐱 Going to Japan and don't want to carry my computer. This is a test to see if I can do it all on my phone.
Friday, January 11, 2019
Morocco 2019 Day 12
Horse guard |
Rabat is on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, as is Casablanca. Weather was very pleasant, cool with a little sea breeze blowing. Nice standing in the sun.
Imagine how big this would have been. |
Section of original wall |
Looking down at tomb |
Dome of the Mausoleum |
Love the mosaic tile work |
Kasbah of the Udayas |
Inside the Kasbah |
Kids playing football |
Pastries at the Moorish Cafe |
Looking at the Bou Regreg from the Moorish Cafe Inside Udayas Kasbah |
Cats everywhere in the Kasbah |
Third stop was a restaurant for lunch. We crossed the river Bou Regreg to the city opposite Rabat, Salé. The restaurant was on the waterfront with a nice view across to the Minaret and Mausoleum. Wonderful salad, followed by fish. Two pieces of sole, two whole (and I do mean whole, heads and all) whiting, some whole shrimp and octopus rings. I'm still full and it's six hours later.
Fish dinner, absolutely delicious |
Back to Casablanca via the Cornice of Rabat with beautiful Atlantic Ocean scenes along the way. Tanis and I went to the 26th floor restaurant for the view and coffee, then down to the room to pack and juggle stuff so we aren't overweight.
My adventure is coming to an end. Leaving tomorrow for NYC, overnight there, and then home to Santa Rosa! We'll see what adventure comes next.
Thursday, January 10, 2019
Morocco 2019 Day 11
City tour today.
First place to visit was the Hassan II Mosque. It is the largest mosque in Africa, and the 5th largest in the world. Its minaret is the world's tallest at 689 ft. Photos have no way of showing the immensity of the space inside. It can hold 25,000 worshipers inside, with another 80,000 outside. It's huge! Notre Dame or St. Peter's Basilica could fit inside. Every surface is carved or tiled...wonderful design ideas everywhere. Only finished in 1993, it is built partially over the ocean.
Leaving the Mosque behind, we drove along the Corniche, the oceanside walk with many restaurants, and then into Casablanca itself. We ended up in the area called Harbous, which is home to a market area our guide called the kasbah of Casablanca. Much quieter than the usual souk, it was interesting walking around without having to constantly be jumping out of the way of motorcycles and horse carts.
Leaving Harbous, we drove by the United Nations Square. Very vibrant, filled with tourists, locals, hawkers and about a million pigeons.
Back at the Sofitel we ate on the 24th floor which has a wonderful view of the city. Food was good too. Going out later with a several others on the tour, we crossed the street (a feat in itself, no crosswalks, timing necessary to miss the traffic) to the souk area near the hotel. An hour of looking and saying "Sorry, just looking." we came back to the hotel.
Final farewell dinner tonight. Jim West is leaving tomorrow, so rather than tomorrow night we had the dinner tonight. Rabat tomorrow.
I've decided that the better of the two cities is Marrakesh. Casablanca just too big, and the vibe in Marrakesh is better, although the souk is messier.
First place to visit was the Hassan II Mosque. It is the largest mosque in Africa, and the 5th largest in the world. Its minaret is the world's tallest at 689 ft. Photos have no way of showing the immensity of the space inside. It can hold 25,000 worshipers inside, with another 80,000 outside. It's huge! Notre Dame or St. Peter's Basilica could fit inside. Every surface is carved or tiled...wonderful design ideas everywhere. Only finished in 1993, it is built partially over the ocean.
The end of this hall is about 600 feet away. |
"Come with me to the kasbah." |
Leaving the Mosque behind, we drove along the Corniche, the oceanside walk with many restaurants, and then into Casablanca itself. We ended up in the area called Harbous, which is home to a market area our guide called the kasbah of Casablanca. Much quieter than the usual souk, it was interesting walking around without having to constantly be jumping out of the way of motorcycles and horse carts.
Olives!!! |
and carpets |
Check out the pigeons |
Back at the Sofitel we ate on the 24th floor which has a wonderful view of the city. Food was good too. Going out later with a several others on the tour, we crossed the street (a feat in itself, no crosswalks, timing necessary to miss the traffic) to the souk area near the hotel. An hour of looking and saying "Sorry, just looking." we came back to the hotel.
Final farewell dinner tonight. Jim West is leaving tomorrow, so rather than tomorrow night we had the dinner tonight. Rabat tomorrow.
I've decided that the better of the two cities is Marrakesh. Casablanca just too big, and the vibe in Marrakesh is better, although the souk is messier.
Morocco 2019 Day 10
Road to Casablanca |
The road from Marrakesh is a very nice four-lane highway. Toll road, but what the heck. Leaving the Marrakesh area it felt like we were in Nevada, with cactus farms as a difference along the way. Scenery turned greener the longer we were on the road. Lots of wheat, olive groves and occasional eucalyptus farms (for firewood). The road was pretty much downhill, as Marrakesh is at 1500 feet, while Casablanca is at sea level. Once in the Casablanca area the traffic started. Controlled but chaotic, horns like in India, in fact, more horns than in Marrakesh. Totally different vibe to this place. Of course, its a city with a population of 3 1/2 million (contrasting with Marrakesh at about 1 milllion), so more traffic is expected. Buildings are white, rather than the terra cotta prevalent in Marrakesh.
We had lunch at Rick's Cafe of Casablanca fame. I've never seen the movie, but I guess I'll have to watch it now. Lunch, in any case, was very nice.
Inside Rick's Cafe |
Sofitel |
Interesting building next to Rick’s. Check out the underwear hanging in the window. |
Morocco 2019 Day 9
Tile work at the entrance to the Ensemble |
Moroccan pottery |
Stonework at the Ensemble |
Had a farewell dinner, for some people are not going on the Casablanca with us. Now to pack up for an 8 o'clock bus ride to Casablanca.
Street decoration, Moroccan flag |
Wednesday, January 9, 2019
Morocco 2019 Day 8
High Atlas with village on a hill |
Part of team B |
Cumin, cinnamon, ras el hanout, salt, pepper, paprika, ginger, turmeric, garlic, coriander, parsley preserved lemons |
Tagines and steamer for couscous |
Lamb, left, chicken right |
Putting vegetables together |
Plated |
Returning to the city: Marrakesh does have an air quality issue which can clearly be seen from the outside. Lots of car exhaust.
Beginning of my memory quilt |
Back to the hotel, where we had a class with Pam Holland. Memory quilts was the topic, and we all started with a small square of fabric to embellish with objects or designs that remind us of our time in Morocco.
Tanis is back. Large leg brace to keep her leg somewhat immobile, she says she is in no pain whatsoever. Great to have her back.
Interesting sight in the country. Mini-pyramid which turn out to be hay storage. In the background you can see the smoggy haze that is Marrakesh.
A former student and best friend of Rob lives and works in Marrakesh. Muhammad Ya'qub Gledhill invited me to his home for a home-cooked Moroccan meal. It was really great to see him after many years and to meet his wife and children. He is head of the English Department at a local international school, and his wife also teaches--she is also a great cook.
Beef tagine, salad, and a savory seasoning, plus Arab bread. |
Ya'qub and his wife, Safia |
Morocco 2019 Day 7
The wall of the Medina---remember 17 km? Holes are for scaffolding. |
This morning we were treated to two classes with a difference. The first class, embroidery, was held in a private home in the Medina close to the Souk. There we were taught the Fez type embroidery, which is the same on both sides. I enjoyed the session very much, but others didn't have such a good time learning, or attempting to learn, the stitch.
Food arriving, me still working. |
Looks like parantas in background Taste like them, too |
A gaggle of crafters |
My bracelets |
Our guide Moncef took us into the Souk to a caftan shop. I don't think I could ever find it again and don't particularly want to. Prices were very high, and not marked on the garments, so you had to ask. I'm sure there was a different prices for the local. Loved a wool coat there, but MAD6000 is a little rich for me---think $600.
Back to the hotel, and since I did not sign up for the Yves Saint Laurent Museum visit, the rest of the afternoon was free. Walked down the street to a little restaurant and had a chicken/mushroom panini with a pineapple/ginger smoothie. Very tasty, with leftovers.
Vegetables |
Couscous anyone? |
Back to the hotel, missing Tanis, as she spent the night at the clinic---no one to talk to.
Sights in the Souk
Sunset from our hotel room |
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