30th April 2008
What is it about the names of places like Rome, Alexandria and….Casablanca, that invoke connotations of romance in our minds?
I got to Casa Voyagers train station at about 4pm and was immediately ripped off by a taxi driver, after being ripped off yet again at my hotel, I went out to find some food, as I had not eaten all day. I briefly visited to old medina, but left rather quickly, thinking on my way out, I left Fez for this? I wandered around for about an hour trying to find something that was reasonably priced. I eventually found a nice café and ate in there, I was so hungry, this was the only time in my life where I ordered a pizza and ate the whole thing.
I left the restaurant, unfortunately, it had gotten dark, and I quickly realised I may have risked my life for food. There was this guy who got right in my face hassling me, only he didn’t speak any English, so I have no idea what he wanted. He just wouldn’t leave me alone, I ended up ‘medina raging’ at him and legging it. It just seemed like everyone was out to get me. However, I made it safe and sound back to the hotel.
Today I got up late after my mammoth train journey and went off exploring. I tried to find the Hassan II Mosque, but realised it was through a very bad area and decided to abandon my mission. I also attempted the medina again and a 4-year-old girl tried to mug me. It really feels more like Africa here than the middle east and people are not friendly like they were in Fez and like they were in Egypt (mostly). I walked back in the other direction and had lunch in the same café. It hadn’t taken me long to realise that this is just another big, dirty city. Kind of like Cairo with the charm of Alexandria. No, I take that back I can’t even compare this to Cairo, this place makes me miss Cairo, like the deserts miss the rain, ahem.
I walked towards the station to see how far that is and it’s not that far, so I am going to spend tomorrow in Rabat.