Saturday in Rabat

We spent Saturday exploring the Medina in Rabat. From Wikipedia: “A medina quarter (Arabic: المدينة القديمة‎) is a distinct city section found in many North African cities. The medina is typically walled, contains many narrow and maze-like streets, and was built by Arabs as far back as the 9th century CE. The word “medina” (or Médina) (Arabic: مدينة‎, madīna) itself simply means “city” or “town” in modern day Arabic.

Medinas often contain historical fountains, palaces, and mosques. The monuments are preserved for their cultural significance (and are also a draw for tourists).

Because of the very narrow streets, medinas are free from car traffic, and in some cases even motorcycle and bicycle traffic. The streets can be less than a metre wide. This makes them unique among highly populated urban centres. Some medinas were also used to confuse and slow down invaders because of how narrow and winding they are.”

The entrance to the medina (old market) in Rabat

Entrance to the Medina in Rabat.

Nestled among the buildings are several shopping areas like this one. Hope you aren’t claustrophobic.

Antique shops like this are pretty common.

The shops stetch for miles in every direction. Some boulevards like this are often crammed with people.

The architecture is a constant reminder that “I’m not in Kansas anymore”.

The streets are lined with doorways. Every now and then, you’ll find one open. This one led into a home. This home was so absolutely gorgeous inside that I couldn’t resist a picture. Jst looking at the home makes me feel relaxed.

The markets are incredible.

After weaving our way through hundreds of stalls and back alleys, the market suddenly opened up to the tourist district…

…suddenly the shops were light and clean and everyone spoke English. Now, I feel like a tourist.

Up the hill from the market, we found the old Kasbah, a walled part of the city designed to help defend against invasion.

The walls and the construction of the fort were decidedly Arabian. Gorgeous.

This girls grabs my arm and asked my name. “Uhh… Johnny”. (Social engineered). Then she starts writing on my arm with something that looked like poo. “Is not kaka,” she says. Then she charged me money to wipe it off. Clever girl.

Lunch. Chicken, potatoes, bread. Cheap. Like $3.

The old Kasbah in Rabat http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kasbah.

One of my favorite pictures. At the top of the steps of the Kasbah, looking down over Rabat.

Another great photo of the entrance to the Medina.