Day out in Casablanca
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The beauty and spaciousness of the Mosque reminded me of the Taj Mahal.
Our gorgeous guide - GG used the space to demonstrate her daily ablutions and assured us that in her country women were free to choose how they dressed.
She talked a little about Ramadan and explained that it was a matter of timing when you could eat and drink and intimated that as far as sex was concerned the hours when it was permitted were not wasted.
GG took us through this lovely market. At no time did we feel uncomfortable or in any danger. She told us that they loved their King and Queen who were kind and caring and helped the less fortunate people. She took us to an old, tall building in the city- which housed La Toque Blanche.
Slowly with the aid of a tiny open iron lift - the like of which I haven't seen since visiting my agent's office in Cambridge Circus in the fifties- we reached the 5th? floor where we learned how to make Moroccan Fekkas, Bahla and Gazelle Horns. And then of course we had to eat them.
The School was owned by a young woman, the women were in charge and we were waited on by sweet young men. Delicious! The cakes I mean.
Gloria - one of us - was encouraged to have a go.
Then we were shown how to make Beef Tajine, Chiken Tajine and Couscous Tfaya with vegetables and chiken.
Then we were taken even higher to a dining room.
The silver tureens were removed and we were served with plates of divine food. I had asked for a small helping so felt justified in going back and asking for more. That pleased them greatly.
We all got a certificate from Mme Laila Lahlou, directrice de l'ecole de gastronomie La Toque Blanche to say Mackay Patricia (or whoever) a participe au atage d'initiation a la Cuisine et Patisserie Marocaine en date du 24/12/2016.
After a little shopping a local man burst on to the coach - upset that he had unwittingly overcharged one of the passengers convincing us all that Casablanca is a special place.
18 comments:
You are a wonderful guest to know that going back for more is the highest compliment you can pay. It looks like a wonderful trip.
It all sounds wonderful, Pat.
Granny Annie: it was a lovely surprise and I'd love to go again.
Z: it made me want to learn more about the area and its people. I wish I could have recorded GG. Her voice and attack
were so engaging but if one is enthralled one's concentration is just focussed on the person. BTW I've just ordered a Fire Stick and am having WIfi taken down stairs and on the other side of the house. Fingers crossed.
What Annie said. How nice for all of you!! I'd love to be able to travel like that.
Fantastic. What's better than traveling to exotic locals? Not much, in my mind. I hope I can get there one day. Or, if not me, at least my children.
Did you find Rick's cafe?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casablanca_(film)
What a lovely trip and adventure.
It sounds like you had a wonderful time and the food looks fabulous.
cheers, parsni[p
Judy; I do feel lucky but of course I would rather be confined to the house if only Alastair was still here.
Exile: you are still a young man. Lots of time for you to travel- maybe even with the girls.
AndrewM: one of the excursions was lunch there but as it was imaginary I chose the school. Maybe next time. Thanks for the link.
Parsnip: the food is always great and with using stairs instead of lifts one can avoid getting too fat.
Looks wonderful, Pat, I've always fancied visiting Casablanca. The locals sound very hospitable too.
Sx
Scarlet: next time I'd like to try Rick's caff.
Glad you had such a great time. I loved Morocco too, although I was further south than you :)
Kim: you would see much more than I did. On a cruise you just get a taste of it. Hope to revisit sometime.
What a truly out of this world that cruise was. :)
Mage:a disappointment when we couldn't land twice because of the swell so we had two extra days at sea and I didn't get to visit Fred Olsen's Hotel.
I wonder what they make of all the guests taking photos all the time? Does it mean that most of you have blogs or are sharing the images on Facebook etc?
Joey: it's like a disease. I didn't meet anyone who had a blog but countless elderly ladies who take their tablets everywhere even mealtimes and they are very user unfriendly IMO.
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