Picturesque Morocco
lives up to its imagery

Editor’s note: Rita Charleston, a Times freelancer, offers this report on a recent trip to Morocco.

By Rita Charleston
For the Times

Sometimes, when you dream of visiting a foreign port, reality doesn’t quite fit the dream.
But not in the case of Morocco!
Stepping off the plane, into the sunshine, and passing the sun-washed buildings that Casablanca is famous for, reality never felt so good. Even without the cast of characters from the classic 1942 movie of the same name, Casablanca was fabulous.
Architects began designing this model city in 1912, bringing a visionary charm to this modern metropolis so that today it is the largest major city in Northern Africa, with amazing architectural beauty. The area also is famous for its beaches, nightlife, bars, fashionable restaurants and hotels.
But we were not content just to see Casablanca. There are many other interesting places to explore, including Marrakesh and Fez. And so the rest of the dream began.
Marrakesh, the imperial city, gave Morocco its name. It is the undisputed capital of southern Morocco where the Berbers and the Arabs come together to mingle with the nomads and the mountain people. For sheer beauty, excitement and overall fascination, this city is not to be missed.
Walk out into the market place — always crowded with natives and tourists — and your senses are bombarded with sights and sounds, from carts overflowing with oranges and raised grains, to women covered almost head to toe, to musicians, dancers and fortune-tellers strolling through the winding streets of the medina. Marrakesh is a spectacle of the exotic, just as it must have been for the last 800 years.
And five times daily, the call to prayer echoes throughout the streets as groups of men move forward to the mosques. The sound is almost melodic, hypnotic — and you know that you are in another world.
After several days, it was time to move on to Fez, the first capital of the kingdom, and known as the most Imperial city of them all. Here there are two distinctly different areas of the city: Fez el Jedid ("the New") and Fez el Bali ("the Old").
But no matter which parts you choose to explore, it’s best to do it on foot for the most part, just following the hustle and bustle that is all around you. Many of the streets are very narrow, with staircases, passages and cul de sacs that dare you to follow and find your way. But just in case you get lost — as I did — have no fear. A smile and some words of French or simple sign language will get you back on track.
You will be amazed by the colors, buildings and architecture.
For example, the Andalousian quarter is particularly impressive for its splendor and profusion of fine buildings.
As if the palaces were competing with one another, each boasts magnificent sculpted woodwork, engraved bronze, carvings, columns and marble.
To the south of Fez, el Jedid stretches the modern city with its broad avenues and a cascade of roofs and cupolas with their red light — the fabulous and famous color the city is known for.
Later, we traveled on to Rabat — one of my particular favorites, the Royal City. It is the seat of government, home to the biggest university in the country, and offers a kaleidoscope of colorful patios, gardens and seaside beaches.
The atmosphere is also a little less frenetic than the rest of Morocco, which, at this point, was a welcome change.
Five major gates stand at the entrances to Rabat, and as you pass through, each offers a different look at this elegant city.
And after a glass of mint and honey tea in a decorated glass (for sale, of course), you can go on to appreciate — and maybe buy — some of the other offerings, such as beautiful embroidered fabrics, jewelry, famous carpets and much, much more.
But soon, the dream had come to an end and it was time to fly back to the States.
But the memories will linger for a long, long time, and if I’m lucky, I’ll get to relive my dream once again in the not too distant future. ••