Excited to see all the souvenirs in the Casablanca and surroundings market? Here are a few photos of what you can expect to see on the way and buy once you get there! Be sure to check out the other post on Casablanca (and the warning about women in Agadir, Morocco) before you fly over or get off the cruise ship though!

Our ship was scheduled to port in Casablanca and I have to say I was more than a little excited to be visiting this culture-rich city. I had told Veronica all about it before we left for our trip and even considered renting the old Bogart movie.

A week before we were scheduled to arrive political bombers had attacked the Embassy region of Casablanca so our cruise line decided it was in everyone’s best interest to cancel the port destination. You’d think that since this was just an attack on the Embassies that the tourist areas we were headed to would be safe, but it was the one year anniversary of another bombing attack that took place in Casablanca in 2006 – so Celebrity Cruises thought it was in everyone’s best interest to cancel.

Since we were on such a wild and wonderful adventure I didn’t get upset. I heard many other people on the ship bitching though.

Casablanca is a strange and wonderful place that I hope to introduce my daughter to at a later date.

The markets (souks) are rich with culture and gorgeous fabrics and the buskers (sellers, performers) are diverse. Be careful however with your digital camera – if they catch you taking a photograph of them they’ll work hard to get your money for the priviledge!

Sharing this first, because it was Veronica’s least favorite place to visit…

First of all we were very excited to be going to Agadir. It was a known ‘international’ city, the shopping deals were said to be fabulous, and we thought we could get a taste of Moroccan life while buying some souvenirs for our friends and family.

However we also knew that we had to be conservative in dress and mannerisms as we were two women travelling alone. Although the day was over 100 degrees F we dressed covering ourselves from neck to elbows, waist to ankle. We didn’t even wear sandals or open toed shoes. We even covered our eyes with large and dark sunglasses.

But the leering came none-the-less.

Veronica, an intuitive 13 year old, knew precisely the disgusting thoughts those men were having – and they backed up her fears by offering to pay me – on more than one occassion – a few hundreds camels to possess her.

Oh it gets worse!

The Leering of Men in Agadir

One shop owner actually cornered her in his store, putting himself between mother and daughter for just a moment. Disgusted and frustrated by the men in this city, we headed down to the boardwalk/beach area (having heard that you could go on a camel ride for a fee). Once there though, we decided not to interact, but to watch the culture walk by us in a cafe.

I might add at this point that this may not happen to every one, every woman, every young girl who visits Agadir. And, in part, I can’t blame these men for their behaviour – fully.

You see Veronica is a stunning young woman at 13, with natural streaks of blonde, red, ash and chocolate brown throughout her hair and her eyes are ones that change (given her mood and clothing color) from blue to green to smoking gray. Given that most of the women in their culture are brown hair, brown eyes – I must say that we couldn’t help but stand out in the landscape of the city.

Back to the cafe…

Although we were well taken care of, I couldn’t help but notice that the waiter lingered longer (well after his tip) and then a few minutes later the kitchen staff came out – one by one – to stand and gawk awhile at our table. They, thankfully, were respectful and kept their distance. Next came the bartender. Then the manager.

Getting back to the ship, where we were just normal people once again, was a relief!

Here is one last photo from the outskirts of Agadir…