Casablanca - 7 April 2008

Casablanca....This was my second time to this city. The first time which was many years ago, I attempted to see Rebat, the capital. Morroco wasn't what I've expected. I was expecting it to have more European influence before I arrived. Maybe yes on the language, cos everyone greeted us with bonjour - hello in french. But Casablanca itself, had a blend of mostly the Arabic feel- in the inner city.
Due to love ballads and movies linked to Casablanca, this city has remained a mystery to me whether was it another "lover's city" like Paris. Erm, no offense to anyone, I personally didn't feel it. Maybe other cities like Marrakesh, which I've yet to visit. But this city didn't bring any disappointment when it comes to fruits and slippers shopping.

I was staying in Sheraton, and off we went, another Malaysian and I, to this souq (local market) - Habbous Souk District. We took the Petit Taxi (they are all in red colour) - the taxi was relatively cheap. The metre starts at Moroccan Dirham (DH1.6 = RM0.80). The taxi system was quite confusing as the taxis which we'd flagged had passengers in it. It looked like pooling. Thus, our metre started off around DH2-ish. The fare reached DH14 when we reached Habbous. It's quite a huge place, with lots of local stuffs.

Colourful "lanterns"....and some other decorations...

And Olives.....I haven't found olives so appetizing until I saw this...though I'm not a big fan of olives....but eat them occassionally...According to an article, Morocco is second to Greece in exports of olives to the world market and are is one of Morocco's primary exports.

Morocco is also famous for Babouche - leather slippers. Here is an interesting website of history of our shoes.

My friend and I came to a conclusion that these slippers look like the "paper gifts" that we burn for our ancestors during Ching Ming.hahahah.... But jokes aside, these slippers are really comfortable and light. I'm a proud owner of one!! I've bought mine at DH50 = RM25. Mine was relatively cheaper was maybe because the external of the slipper wasn't leather - plastic-ish The leather one which I quite like costs around DH140. But it could go down to DH90.