Morocco 2019 Day 10

Road to Casablanca

Up early for the drive to Casablanca.  I find it strange that the sun does not rise until 8.  I think this is the latest I've ever seen a sunrise.  Must be a weird time zone issue.  We left before sunrise in any case.  

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

Next stop was our hotel, Sofitel Casablanca Tour Blanche, a huge 24 story building.  We're on the eighth floor, which in the USA would be the ninth (because they start counting at 0, as the ground floor, for those inquiring minds) with a view of the harbor.  Once we were in, we staying in, although I did go for a short walk (it's darn cold here too), the principle attraction of which was a snail stall, where I could have eaten my first snail...not.

Interesting building next to Rick’s.
Check out the underwear hanging in the window.