More From Casablanca

After we almost went to the mosque, we headed to Ain Diab – a beach area lined with restaurants.  On the way Ben announced from the front of the bus that we were going to the area where the “rich bastards” go.  As Gia and Ben were discussing the use of the word, I heard Nic pipe up from the back of the bus – “We’re going to the area where the rich ambassadors go!”  Pretty soon all of the kids were talking about the rich ambassadors.  I don’t think we saw any, but I’m sure they were there. 

After doing a little postcard shopping we stopped for lunch.  I sent Ben down ahead of our party of 15, to make sure they served food.  They did, and the menu looked fine – pizza, paninis, brochettes, etc.  Except that they couldn’t make pizza, or brochettes, or most of the other things on the menu.  And they were out of Diet Coke.  Oh well…we’re in Morocco.  Paninis for all!  Except Adlani who ate a crepe spread with Nutella, which he would not touch at home.  Progress!

After lunch, Dani (our driver) took us to see a few other Casablanca landmarks…the king’s palace (with historical narration by Ben), an area of shops that we were too tired to shop at, and Place Mohammed V.  Ben and I have visited this small park before.  It has a fountain in the middle that is always covered with hundreds (thousands?) of pigeons. 

As we strolled around the park doing some people watching, I noticed small areas cordoned off: 

I finally realized that each small area was controlled by a photographer, who would call a bunch of pigeons into his area by scattering corn, and then take your photo for a fee.  The funny thing about Morocco is that when someone has an idea, everyone jumps on the bandwagon.  How many pigeon photographers does one park really need?  Someday I’m going to bring some fresh new products to Morocco – I already have lemonade, chocolate chip cookies, and seedless watermelon on my list.

In the park we had our first diapered monkey sighting, some water seller and horse photo ops, and something I have not seen before – colored chicks for sale for 10 dirhams each (less than a dollar).  Very strange and probably cruel to the chicks, but the kids were fascinated and promptly broke rule number 42 AGAIN (don’t touch the animals).  Until one chick made a leap for freedom and apparently broke his leg – off.  So sad.

We’re off to Marrakech tomorrow!