Yesterday, I took a flight to Casablanca with Brooklyn friends who belong to the same church. They are Catholic, I am Jewish, and we are not likely to encounter many active churches or synagogues. Their annual trips are well-organized, and this is the first time I was available to join them. We will be touring in Rabat, Fez, and Marrakech.
The blog will continue without interruption.
I’ll stay in touch.
P.S. If you are a film buff or as old as I, you may recall that Bing Crosby and Bob Hope made a series of “on the road” movies in the 1940s, all very silly and good fun. My 31-year-old grandson reminded me that we watched “The Road to Morocco” together when he was 7 years old. Now, I’m on the road, but not with Bing or Bob or Dorothy Lamour.
Exciting! Have a wonderful trip.
LikeLike
Bing Sings “Road to Morocco”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53hGjaGpRkw
LikeLike
Hopefully a recognizable fragment of American Democracy will be intact when you return home and you and your personal devices are not unduly rummaged and retained on the return .
All the best ,
GF
PS : Over active paranoia ? We shall see !
LikeLiked by 2 people
I will be in Morocco tomorrow as well, but in Tangier. I was amused to see your headline!
Weather’s supposed to be fine—warm and sunny.
Nancy Flanagan
LikeLiked by 2 people
Beautiful and warm weather. Wednesday in Rabat: 89 degrees.
LikeLike
Nancy, I hope we meet! Fez? Marrakech?
LikeLike
Off to Malaga, alas.
LikeLike
I have watched all the Road films with Bing, Bob and Dorothy! Have a great time! And Marrakesh Express, Crosby, Stills and Nash, is one of my favorite songs! Hope you get to ride on it. Travel safe.
LikeLike
Say hello to Humphrey Bogart at Rick’s Cafe in Casa Blanca
LikeLike
I tried but Rick’s American bar is now a high rise.
LikeLike
When I was last in Casablanca, there was a Rick’s Cafe, but it was terribly kitschy.
LikeLike
My old professor did archeology at Sidgil Massa in Morocco. It was a trade nexus in the Middle Ages.
LikeLike
Morocco for years had a vibrant Jewish community. There were a 1/4 million Jews there as late as the early 1950s, although after Israeli independence the community, the largest in any Muslim majority country at that point, began to shrink. Others left after Moroccan independence in 1956. Operation Yachin (1961–1964). with support of King Hassan II, moved over 80,000 to Israel. More left afterthe 6 Day war. Today there are maybe 125,000 left, a tiny remnant of a 2,000 year old community
LikeLiked by 1 person
Correction of typo early 1950s sorry did not see the error
LikeLike
We were in Morrocco 2 years ago, You are going to love it! You will surprised with the deep Jewish history there and the number of synagogue. Tip, don’t drink the water or eat fresh veggies that are not cooked. Don’t walk on the grass in Rabat.. Marrakesh is lot of fun Especially at night,
Have fun
LikeLike
Thanks, Ralph!
LikeLike
If you can visit La Mamounia hotel in Marrakech; a favorite of Churchill. Enjoy your trip Diane
https://mamounia.com/en/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=1049090323&gclid=CjwKCAjwirLWBhBBEiwAlItbEvK9nlJa4LaLMmDxabaTEizDmXdd2bZpS4mmv2KUn9DuVyZWbdIMlBoCOLcQAvD_BwE
LikeLike
We will go to the La Mamounia for drinks. It was too expensive for the group.
LikeLike
I’m old enough to remember those Road to… movies. Silly but lots of fun & laughs. During my study abroad year in Spain in 1975-76, I went to Morocco during Spring Break—Casablanca, Fez & Marrakech also. I remember lots of intrigue & uncertainty with kids accosting us offering to bring us to a hostel or others asking if we wanted to buy hash. I had recently seen Midnight Express, so we didn’t want any part of buying drugs in that country! Glad I knew some French cuz many Moroccans spoke it due to having been a French colony for a time, so I could at least communicate the basics.
Enjoy your travels.
LikeLike
Wow! How exciting for you and your friends, Diane! Off season is the best time to travel abroad since you can avoid a lot of tourists… Hope you all have a truly wonderful time!
LikeLike
My daughter had a two year assignment in Casablanca while her daughter was a toddler. One thing that always impressed me was the kindness and deference shown to children. Adults, and even older kids, call out to little ones, saying “cucu”, often bending down to eye level to stroke their heads. So civilized to treasure the smallest ones.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Have a wonderful trip!!!
LikeLike