I said the customer service in the Balkans was a little lax and that could be explained because tourists are somewhat new to them. Here in Morocco, I think customer service is even worse. I am standing at the counter in a hotel and the person at the desk is dealing with me. Suddenly something happens and the other desk person says something. My helper drops me like a piece of lead and is off dealing with the other problem. When he comes back I ask the question I had on my mind and he seems annoyed. Friends and workmates take priority over the customer. Yesterday I was buying a train ticket. A person, that all the agents knew, shows up and all work stops. They are all talking to the new young lady and the lineup for tickets waits. When I finally get to an agent I am ½ way through my request and her phone rings. She just picks it up and starts in on a conversation. It may have been work related but still, I was there and part way through a transaction. When she got back to me it was as if nothing happened.
We have visited 2 cities in Morocco and we have not seen one feral dog. Loads of well-fed feral cats in good shape but sans dogs. I’m guessing they have some sort of program to keep the dog population in check. The cats seem to be well loved. One of the cats we passed several times even had its own dish up against a concrete wall, not in a residential area so I am quite sure the cat is homeless. Since they are cared for, they are really no bother at all.
We were in the Mohammad VI Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art. A very good gallery if you have the chance to visit. There were some photos of Morocco in the early 1900’s. I realized it is photos from that time, maybe 1850 to 1950, that draw me to countries like Morocco or Singapore or any other country really. Then when I arrive in the country, no matter which one, is full steam ahead into the 21C. I’m just a hundred years too late, I guess.
When travelling in SE Asia and you walk into a public building the AC is cranked to the max. The difference in temperature inside and out is actually uncomfortable. Morocco does not follow suit. In fact they could maybe turn the AC dial down a bit. I am pouring sweat and I walk into a building and the cooling effect is nonexistent, hell on us temperate climate animals.
Debbie mentioned yesterday how quiet the city of Rabat is. Hardly anybody out and about and the traffic was minimal. That was Sunday. It’s Monday morning and the change is dramatic. There are people everywhere and the roads are congested.
A short taxi ride and we are at the Kasbah of the Oudayas. It is a lived-in fortress and completely reconditioned. Not really touristy but there are a lot of tourists there having a look. On the way back to the hotel we stroll through the Old Medina. It is quite a bit different than Casablanca’s sequel. It has been renovated, not to the same extent as the Kasbah but upgraded for sure. Whereas Casablanca’s Medina was a locals market and crowded, the one in Rabat is oriented towards tourists and easily navigated.
We picked up our bags at the hotel and head to the train station. A short wait and we are on the train winging our way to Tangier at (the fast) 303 km/hr. It is so smooth you cannot even tell we are moving. Except the movie is flying by very quickly.
We pass so many towns and villages. Real working places, I would love to visit a few but I don’t think the train driver would stop for an hour while I wandered around and try to get the feel of the place.
Tomorrow Tangier.