DAY 2--March 3--downtown Casablanca

Yes, this is a cathedral in a Muslim country


I love the buildings in downtown Casablanca, the people, the energy.

I visited on day 2 the Medina, the Mosque, the Corniche, and  downtown.

At 7 Pm I met with couchurfers and had tea at the Corniche.

I had a great day! I feel so lucky to be here!

Interesting architecture all buildings are white, they  could  do with some  fresh paint

Casablanca bears little relationship to the mythical city of souks, spies and oriental mystery evoked in the Casablanca film.

It appears that here is more interest in new buildings  than restoration. There are many beautiful buildings that need restoration. I did not go to Rick’s Cafe, opened in 2004 by a former American diplomat, which I hear  does have the faithfully-restored 1930’s interior, and the piano bar.
 I could not say  “Play it again, Sam!” 

Oh well, I hope there will be a next time.

Newspapers in Arabic and French

Many French made cars, Renault, Peugot.

this man sells water, you see them in every large city using the same costume
Look at the city bus, it is very modern

The signs on the streets are bilingual Arab/French

lovely plants, nice stores

nice area with no cars, downtown Casablanca

 Selling cigarettes, this cat and his owner

Stores like in any other city
A mother and her daughter

Mohamed V Plaza, downtown Casablanca, with several government buildings

Court  building

Cathedral of Sacred Heart, it was closed and could not see it inside
I was curious to see a catholic building in a Muslim country.

 It was built in 1930. It ceased to function as a church in 1956, after the independence of Morocco, and became a cultural center.

There are around 20,000 Catholics in Morocco, most of them are European expatriates, with a big majority of French and Spanish from colonization and post-independence, the second group is composed of Sub-Saharan immigrants, mainly students.