After arriving in Rabat and wandering around aimlessly for a half hour, a very nice lady walked us from the train station all the way to our hotel. We appreciated her generosity, but it was difficult to keep up with her speed-walking pace. When our calves fully recovered, we decided to visit the site of the unfinished Hassan Mosque and minaret guarded by mounted horsemen. In the same area is the Mausoleum of Mohammed V. There were dark clouds forming and strong winds blowing in from the sea. Before we knew it, we were trapped by a huge thunder storm pouring buckets of rain on the busloads of tourists that joined us inside the mausoleum. The rain was actually falling sideways, and people were soaked from head to toe.
A half hour later, the rain stopped long enough for us to return to our hotel for a Christmas eve dinner. We were thankful to be warm and dry.
The next day was clearer, but still very windy. We went to the Oudaïa Kasbah (fortress) and visited the gardens. It was relaxing to walk around the narrow, hilly neighborhoods that looked like they belonged in Greece.
The next day was clearer, but still very windy. We went to the Oudaïa Kasbah (fortress) and visited the gardens. It was relaxing to walk around the narrow, hilly neighborhoods that looked like they belonged in Greece.
Our next visit was to the Chellah Necropolis (city of the dead), built in 1339. The white, fluffy guard dog near the entrance reminded us of Sparky. Once inside the ramparts, we enjoyed the serene location, with the eerie sound of storks clacking their beaks.
Since leaving California in early August, 2009, we had not eaten anything close to Mexican food (except for the chicken "burrito" at the McDonald's in the Marrakech train station). We were giddy with excitement, when we found a Tex-Mex restaurant in Rabat that served real fajitas! We even took a picture of the warm, homemade flour tortillas because we knew no one would believe us. ¡Que delicioso!
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