RABAT, MOROCCO
Today was our opportunity to explore one of the four imperial cities of Morocco - Rabat! First up we strolled past the Imperial Palace (no this is not where we were staying) to outside the old city wall to the ancient ruins of Sala Colonia and Chellah. Dating back to before the 13th Century, the site is now largely overgrown with wild flowers and fruit trees as well as the stork nests that now have prime position atop the ruined towers and columns. Many artifacts still remain intact on site including tombs however many have been removed to the archeology museum in Rabat for protection and preservation. This was however a peaceful place to stoll around, soak up the history of this city as well as escape all the hustle and bustle.
A short walk later found us at the archeology museum. It is small and underfunded however exudes as much atmosphere and charm as the artifacts it preserves including items from Chellah and Volubilis ( the World Heritage Listed site 33km outside of Meknès) - some of these items dating back to the Roman occupation of Morocco as well as the Stone Age - some 350,000 years. We were shown around the museum by one of the curators who spoke as much English as I do French (which isn’t a lot) however we managed to get the gist of most of what he was saying in relation to the background of different pieces. Just took a little bit longer than normal 
After some lunch and a break from walking, we headed over to Le Tour Hassan (Hassan Tower) which they started building in 1195. It was originally supposed to be 60 metres high but building stopped at 44m after the death of the sultan. The site also houses the mausoleums of the two previous Moroccan Kings - which as you can imagine are elaborately decked out.
It was as we were approaching the mausoleums that a guard wearing a some form of lemon yellow superman cape (kinda like yours Trev…), indicated for me to come over to him. Thinking that he was part of the army or police and about to tell us that we really shouldn’t be near there, I approached (being the law respecting citizen that I am). Imagine my surprise when the conversation unfolded something like this,
Guard, ‘You come take my photo!’ (And no, before you ask, it was not directed as a question but a statement)
Lou, ‘Pardon?’
Guard, ‘You take photo of me. You in it too!’
At this point I was about to politely decline, when my enterprising house-mate decided to enter the conversation with,
Cath, ‘Great! I’ll take the photo!’ and she then proceed to chuckle her way into a suitable position to take said photo whilst I had the guard saying to me, ‘Come stand closer’. Needless to say that once Cath stopped laughing long enough to take the damn photo - I thanked the guard for his time and made a polite retreat with revenge for Miss Walker foremost in my mind with a suitable opportunity presenting itself not long after.
We had walked into one of the Mausoleums at the top balcony and another guard complete with superman cape was kind enough to point out the features of the buildings design. Not long after he then said, ‘You take photo with me!’
Lou, ‘Thanks. My friend Cath would love that.’ of course indicating Cath at the same time.
He then was quite pleased (not sure about Cath though - couldn’t quite read her facial expression around the glare she was giving me) and moved into a corner position. Taking Cath’s camera from her, I hustled her into the corner as well with the comment, ‘Payback time’.
A quick wander through the Andalusian gardens and the Medina markets rounded up our day.
We ventured out to a a restaurant called ‘La Petite Beur - Dar Tangine’ for dinner which wasn’t too far from the hotel. This place was fabulous - the food was mouthwatering, the beers cold and the service excellent - our waiter even doubled as a Berber musician a bit later with traditional music that had us tapping our toes.
Again the menu was in French and Arabic so we had no idea - but we are slowly gaining the ability to read the odd word or two and getting extremely good at closing our eyes, waving our finger over the menu items and ordering whatever it lands on. Don’t laugh - this technique has been surprisingly good so far so we’re sticking to it
It is interesting reading about the cultural differences between OZ and the other side of the world.
For instance, in Morocco it seems wearing a yellow cape signals the bearer of holding a public office
of responsibility, and being able to command photographs from innocents. In Australia, however, when
I wear MY yellow cape it tends to attract the attention of responsible public office holders, and they
block my attempts to take photos of innocents…
Seriously though, it is pleasing to hear that you are both plotting to embarrass the other at every
opportunity. I don’t want to stir the pot, but it reminds me of how Cath told me prior to leaving
that Lou was gullible and would fall for all her practical travel stunts. If I were you Lou, I’d get
in first. And in relation to Cath’s earlier reply - you are always welcome to steal my underwear for
three days Lou; just wash it before returning.
Love the caped crusader. xx
______________________________________________________________
lol caped crusader! We thought you would appreciate the cultural differences. One would think that when you wear your yellow cape that ‘responsible public officers’ would not only block your attepts to take photos of innocents but take you to a nice comfortable padded room to have a well deserved rest!
As for the pot stiring Lou is a little um, unwell today but I will be sure to point your message out to her. It will give her something to laugh about!
Cath