Rabat and Salé

Today we got up early and went to Rabat, the capital of Morocco.  It’s about a 45-minute drive, and Ben’s uncle Abdullah has apparently become our personal driver because he went with us again today and is also planning to come along to Marrakech.  It’s nice to have someone who knows where they’re going because the driving can be a little crazy.

In Rabat we visited the Mausoleum of King Mohammed V, and La Tour (Tower) Hassan.  The pillars in the courtyard of the minaret are what’s left of a huge mosque that was destroyed in an earthquake.  The mausoleum is beautifully decorated with wood, stucco, and zellij mosaic, and of course the gorgeous bronze doors.

After touring the mausoleum we rode the new tram that crosses the river to Salé.  I had read about the medersa (school) and Grande Mosque within the Salé medina and was intent on finding them.  Ben didn’t want to ask anyone which stop to get off the tram, so we ended up going a couple of stops too far and making our way through the medina on foot.  I’ll bet we walked 5 miles in total, but it was worth it.  The school and mosque were built in 1333, and the school is extremely well-preserved (I couldn’t enter the mosque because I’m not Muslim).  We were able to go into the “student cells,” tiny rooms where the students lived.  The place was just about deserted, so the attendant showed me how to lock the front door (you’ll have to check my other blog in a couple of days for those photos).

Inside one of the tiny student cells:

Inside the mosque:

Salé from the roof:

We were sooo tired that we didn’t even stop for a late lunch…we just drove home and as usual had an amazing dinner waiting for us.  I could really get used to this!

Moments from today…

Passing a huge field of sunflowers beside the highway.

The welder who was just holding a little piece of plastic in front of his eyes instead of wearing a welding helmet.

Asking Uncle Abdullah what the men at the rotary had in their wheelbarrows – “cows’ stomachs.”

The amazing ocean view in Rabat, with shanties lining the road – pretty nice real estate for a shanty town.

A modern tunnel in Rabat – Ben was shocked.

Prior planning promotes perfect performance…lots of teachable moments today.

Seeing a guy holding down a mattress by laying on it in the back of a small pick-up truck.

Being asked to take photos of teenage boys, and unsuccessfully asking for their email addresses, until one of them suddenly said “Facebook?” and they all started repeating, “Facebook” and writing down their names for me.  Unfortunately their names are very common on Facebook and I can’t find them.

The school with chalkboards hanging out the windows…each student’s number was listed and showed who passed.

Aliya’s comment, “Those stairs are a fire hazard!”

Uncle Abdullah getting hip to my search for cool doors, and then showing me every door of interest along the way.  Through this archway I found my favorite:

Trying to explain to the kids why the beeping cars were driving through town with the “bloody rag” after the wedding, without stealing the thunder of the 5^th-grade health teacher.

The kids hunting for pieces of broken tile along the street – a cool collection!

Teaching the kids how to use the squat-toilet.  Norah was definitely not a fan.

The henna ladies who accosted us, told us they would do a little design on the girls for free despite our protests, and then b*tching when Ben gave them too little money.  The amount they were asking for their “free” designs would have paid for hands and feet in Mohammedia.  Annoying!