19 articles tagged with morocco
Standing atop the Hassan II Mosque's esplanade, watching Atlantic waves crash against Morocco's coastline as the muezzin's call echoes across Casablanca's skyline, I realized this city defies simple categorization. Often overlooked for its glamorous siblings Marrakech and Fes, Casa (as...
The rhythmic pulse of Darija rap mingles with the scent of mint tea and shisha as I stand on a rooftop overlooking Hassan II Mosque, its laser beam piercing the night sky. This is Casablanca after dark—a city where Morocco's...
The morning call to prayer echoes across Casablanca as I sip mint tea on a rooftop terrace, watching the city awaken. Most travelers see Casa as merely a gateway to Morocco's more famous destinations—Marrakech, Fes, Chefchaouen. They spend a day...
The first time I stepped into Marrakech's autumn light, I was struck by how the shadows cast perfect geometric patterns across the ochre walls—a living demonstration of the mathematical principles that have guided Moroccan design for centuries. While most visitors...
Standing at the edge of Fez's ancient medina as the call to prayer echoed across terracotta rooftops, I felt that familiar tingle of discovery—the same sensation I've experienced in financial markets when spotting an undervalued asset before others recognize its...
In my two decades traversing the world's urban innovation corridors, I've developed a particular fondness for juxtaposing seemingly disparate destinations within a single journey. This contrast often yields the most profound insights into how different societies approach modernization while honoring...
The morning call to prayer had just faded when I stepped onto my hotel balcony, watching Casablanca awaken beneath a canvas of amber and rose. The city stretched before me—a fascinating juxtaposition of French colonial architecture alongside sleek modern developments...
The moment I stepped off the small aircraft in Kankan, Guinea's second-largest city, I knew this journey would test every investigative instinct I'd honed over my career. Two weeks ahead of me—split between the relatively untouched cultural hub of Kankan...
When most folks think of Casablanca, they conjure up images of Humphrey Bogart, misty airports, and that famous line about beautiful friendships. I'll admit, that's exactly what was on my mind when my flight touched down in Morocco's largest city...
The moment I stepped off the plane in Casablanca, my senses were immediately engaged in a beautiful battle for attention. This isn't the sepia-toned, Bogart-and-Bergman fantasy that many expect; it's a vibrant, complex metropolis where traditional Islamic architecture stands shoulder-to-shoulder...
Banking left on final approach to Rabat-Salé Airport, I caught my first glimpse of the Hassan Tower standing proudly against the Atlantic backdrop—a fitting sentinel welcoming visitors to Morocco's elegant capital. As both a commercial pilot and castle enthusiast, I've...
The first time I stepped through the unassuming wooden door of a Marrakech riad, I experienced what locals call *al-baraka* – divine blessing. The transition from chaotic medina streets to a serene courtyard with fountain-fed pools and citrus trees felt...
The medina walls of North Africa have long stood as silent witnesses to centuries of trade, cultural exchange, and human connection. As someone who has spent a lifetime observing the intricate workings of the human heart, I find myself equally...
The first time I stepped into Marrakech's souks, I felt like Alice tumbling down the rabbit hole—disoriented yet utterly captivated. The sensory kaleidoscope of spice mountains, handcrafted lanterns casting constellation-like patterns, and artisans working with the precision I once applied...
As I stood watching the Atlantic waves crash against the seawall near Hassan II Mosque, I couldn't help but think of my mother's restoration work on historic buildings back in Auckland. She would have marveled at this architectural masterpiece where...