São Paulo – Visiting Morocco is being certain that you will take an unforgettable trip. The country is beautiful, the people love the Brazilians and every city has its differential, ranging from the largest mosque in Africa to a watercourse in the mountain that passes through a house. Read about ten reasons why you cannot leave Morocco out of your plans to travel the world.
Colourful cities
Have you ever imagined a city where all of the buildings and houses are painted one single colour? Well, in Morocco you will find Marrakech, the red city, where houses, monuments and public buildings are all painted the same tone of this colour. Oh, you prefer cold colours? Go to Chefchaouen and you will find a city in the middle of a mountain that is all painted blue and white. As an extra, you will also see a river that passes through the middle of a house.
Shopping in the cave
The Arab world is known for its souqs, markets that sell items such as carpets, handkerchiefs, abayas and other traditional products of the local culture. However, if you want to go shopping in Tangiers, tourists have another option: Hercules’ cave. That’s right, the cave, which faces the Mediterranean Sea, is a point of sale of vases, pictures, stones, purses, hats, necklaces and dozens of other items. Even if you are not willing to spend money, it’s worth getting in the place because the place also features a passage straight into the ocean.
Casablanca
Forget the scenes of the famous movie that bears the city’s name, they were all shot in a studio. Those who visit the real Casablanca will see the famous Arab League Park, with its huge palm trees that provide shade to visitors on sunny days; the centre of the city, which is a stage for street musicians and artists; and the Hassan II Mosque, built over the sea, which is the third largest in the world, after those located in the Saudi cities of Mecca and Medina.
Cuisine and exoticness
For those who enjoy exotic scenes, the Jemaa el Fna is a must. The central square in Marrakech brings together many of the elements that helped create the Western imagery of the Arab world. Snake charmers and monkeys riding on their owners shoulders are common scenes there during the day. At night, the square turns into a big open-air restaurant, with dozens of food tents serving dishes for all tastes.
Souvenir
Far from regular gifts such as perfumes, music albums and electronic devices, tourists visiting Morocco will take home another type of souvenir. For one, there are the famous “babouches” – traditional Moroccan shoes made from either leather or synthetic material. From the simpler to the more sophisticated models, the shoes are an obligatory souvenir of the country. The hundreds of models of pashiminas and handkerchiefs are the joy of women, who can also admire themselves in countless mirrors with handmade frames. And all of that fits into your luggage!
The setting for “The Clone”
Even those who are not soap opera fans end up admitting that they got to know a bit of Morocco by watching footage from “O Clone” (The Clone), produced by the Globo TV network in 2001 and currently being rerun in the afternoons. To see live the landscapes that provided the backdrop for the story of Jade and Lucas, visitors will pass through Fez, a city that boasts the largest and most traditional souq in the country. To get to know all of the alleys of the ancient market you will need an entire afternoon, and it is worth setting aside a few hours to get to know the colourful tannery that is almost always shown from above in the soap opera to mark the switch from Brazil to the Arab country.
Musical Rabat
International music starts such as Shakira, Alicia Keys and Kylie Minogue, who usually perform in Brazil at concerts with very high prices, may be seen for free during the Mawazine festival, in Rabat. The festival is held on an annual basis in the federal capital of Morocco, in May, and feautres successful singers in Arab, North American, European and even Brazilian music. A must!
The sweets
Sweets deserve a special mention within Moroccan cuisine, because the country features a delicious combination of Arab and French candy. When in doubt, try both, they are wonderful. When it comes to tasting the French sweets, the Maymana pâtisserie, the best in the capital Rabat, is the ideal spot. You can try a different type each day for at least a month. To try the Arab sweets, go to Café Maure, also in the federal capital, where they are served as a side dish to the typical mint tea, and you even get a good view of the sea.
The Sahara
The most famous of all deserts will appeal to any tourist with at least a bit of an adventurous spirit. A tour of at least three days is best to take a camel ride to tents assembled and cared for by Bedouins. Watching the sunset from the dunes, sleeping in the cold desert night and watching the sunrise are also a part of the tour.
The hospitality
The Moroccans know how to welcome their tourists. If you are Brazilian, the empathy is shown right away. They love Brazilian football and know the names of the top players in the national team by heart, which always ends up leading to a conversation. The invitation for a tea usually comes by, and often turns into a lunch or dinner with the family. A good chance to get to know the Moroccans up close.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
