casablanca: it’s… a lot
okay, so i’m back. and honestly, i’m still processing. casablanca. it’s not like the brochures. it’s… intense. i just checked and it’s… there right now, hope you like that kind of thing. the humidity is clinging to everything, and i swear i can feel my hair actively rebelling.
seriously, look at that map. it’s just… sprawling. and hot. like, aggressively hot. someone told me that the locals just accept it, which is both impressive and slightly terrifying. i’m not sure i can accept it.
this place is a weird mix of everything. it’s got this massive, ridiculously opulent mosque - the Hassan II Mosque, apparently the third largest in the world - and it just… sits on the water. like, seriously, it’s jutting out into the ocean. it’s beautiful, but also a little unsettling. and then you’re just walking around, dodging scooters and trying not to get run over, and you’re surrounded by these incredible Art Deco buildings, remnants of the French colonial era. it’s like two completely different worlds colliding.
and the medina! oh god, the medina. it’s a labyrinth. a beautiful, chaotic, slightly terrifying labyrinth. i got completely lost, like, three times. i think i ended up in a spice shop and bought a ridiculous amount of saffron. i don’t even know what i’m going to do with it.
weather-wise, it’s a rollercoaster. they have this Mediterranean climate, which basically means it’s warm and dry in the summer, but then it gets incredibly foggy in the mornings. like, seriously foggy. you can barely see five feet in front of you. and then it rains… a lot. i’m talking torrential downpours. someone told me that the rain is actually good for the city, washing away the pollution. i’m not entirely convinced.
and the food! i tried tagine - it’s like a slow-cooked stew, which is perfect for this kind of weather. and couscous, of course. and pastilla, which is… complicated. it’s sweet and savory and weirdly delicious. and i ate a ton of msemen, which are basically pancakes. and mint tea. a lot of mint tea. it’s everywhere.
if you get bored, rabat, el jadida, and mohammedia are just a short drive away. they seem… quieter. maybe i need a break from the chaos.
there’s also gad elmaleh and french montana - apparently, casablanca has produced some interesting people. i didn’t really look into it, to be honest. i was mostly focused on not getting lost.
just a heads up: watch your pockets in the medina. and be prepared for traffic. it’s insane. and the pollution is… noticeable. it’s not the worst I’ve seen, but it’s definitely there.
overall? casablanca is a sensory overload. it’s exhausting, it’s chaotic, it’s… strangely captivating. it’s not a relaxing vacation, but it’s definitely an experience. i’m going to go lie down now. i think i need a nap.
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