Boy, for a travel day, the adventure expanded exponentially.
Is it easy to take a train in Morocco? Sure. Quick taxi to the new Casa Voyeuger station in Casablanca, trains clearly listed on the big airport style display…well, anyway, there was no confusion.
We got on the train, shared a first class compartment with 4 women, one of whom had a 3 year old who yelled, talked and stomped for 4 hours. To mom’s credit, she had a small device for the girl which kept her entertained for two minutes at a time. Some in English, some in French, some in Arabic.
Then a woman left, and a guy got on. A guy who knew a historical guide and that’s the only kind you should get, he said. They are certified and wear a badge. I will call the office and arrange, he insisted. Anyway, we bit. You know…nothing ventured… More details about the hard sell in the labyrinth tomorrow.
Photos through a very dirty train window
The train was packed and most got off at Fes. Which made finding the exit to the station easy. Like a herd of cows, we went where they went. As we emerged, a guy ran towards us. “Are you Sitkin?” I barely had time to nod when he grabbed my suitcase but left Grubb to fend for himself. Who am I to protest?
The taxi took us to one of the many entrances into the Medina where a porter was waiting with a cart for our luggage. A 5 minute walk brought us to our Riad. The Medina is pedestrian only. 9,480 streets (think cobbled alleyways hemmed in by walls). Definitely not laid out as a grid. Tourists get lost regularly. No, you can’t just use google maps. GPS is spotty which means it pegs your location generally in the wrong alleyway.
Nice place. Spacious room. Several small courtyards with a maze of tile stair cases leading to various sized rooms. Like ours.
Photos of our riad
Wow! Narrow rooms!!! But it looks really honey comfy cozy.
The pictures are deceptive. The room is wider than it looks. The bed is a king size with a couple feet on either side to spare. But still, more length than width.
HoMey😳auto incorrect!😆
When I was in Morocco forty years ago the trains, imported from Belgium, were brand new. Are they still using the same train cars, now worn and shabby, or have they kept them up?
The outside was pretty beat up, the inside in okay shape. I’m sure they’ve re-upholstered the seats since then. There is a fast train now from Casablanca to Tangier and they are working on bringing it to Fes and Marrakech.