Powells in Africa: Week 49 & 50 - Christmas Thoughts, Winding down & Morocco

CHRISTMAS THOUGHTS

Christmas has come and gone.

Tender memories from years past flood my mind.

Although far from home, I can still imagine the celebration...not letting my mind linger too long and risking a deluge of tears.

Living in a foreign land, no pomp or circumstance.

Just an overwhelming feeling of love for the birth of my Savior, His life and example, and His great atoning sacrifice.

I am beyond blessed.

💓💚 💓💚 💓💚 💓💚 💓💚 💓💚 💓

WINDING DOWN

As the year began to come to a close, our boss let us know we could have a little time off if desired. We desired. So we planned to head to Rome and see the temple there, revel in the holiday spirit in the city center and get some R&R. We were cut short in our desire, as we soon discovered the Area Presidency was putting a new policy in place to prohibit travel outside the African continent. What? Yes, we were disappointed. Next best thing... visit Morocco. This plan was approved. Trip was short and sweet, but totally enjoyable!

MOROCCO

Morocco is located in the northwest corner of Africa and is bordered by the North Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. It is stunning in landscape and geography. Morocco is just across the Strait of Gibraltar from Spain. The flag has a red background (representing the blood of the ancestors and unity) with a green star in the center (representing the five pillars of Islam). Our guide told us the people lovingly refer to the design as looking down on a big tomato. 😁

CASABLANCA

Hassan ll Mosque

The largest functioning mosque in Africa and the 14th largest in the world. The walls are hand-crafted marble and the roof is retractable (very cool feature!). A maximum of 105,000 worshippers can gather together for prayer: 25,000 inside the mosque hall and another 80,000 on the mosque's outside ground. It is seriously ginormous inside!!

Rick's Cafe

A restaurant, bar and café located in the city of Casablanca, Morocco. Opened March 1, 2004, the place was designed to recreate the bar made famous by Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman in the classic movie Casablanca (actually a set created in Hollywood to seem like Old Medina in Casablanca).

Famous Quotes from the movie:

“Play it, Sam,” is not only one of the most famous lines from Casablanca, but it's one of the most misquoted lines in film history.

“Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine.”

“Here's looking at you kid.

L'Eglise du Sacre Coeur (Sacred Heart Cathedral)

The Casablanca church was constructed in 1930. This former Roman Catholic church/cathedral ceased its religious function in 1956, after the independence of Morocco. It subsequently became a cultural center. It has hosted numerous art exhibitions.

Eglise Notre Dame de Lourdes

A Catholic parish church located in Casablanca, Morocco. It was built in 1954 and constitutes the second church in Casablanca after the Sacred Heart Cathedral.

Old Medina

A small district dating back to as early as the 15th century. With narrow alleyways, old and crumbling buildings, and somewhat fast paced vibes (scooters zipping through these alleyways as we wandered the paths - feeling totally lost), the Old Medina is very authentic, providing a small glimpse into another time in history.

Authentic Morrocan Food - Tajine

A tajine is a North African dish named after the earthenware pot in which it is cooked. We had several different dishes and shared them all, discovering lots of new flavors and aromas!

Next stop...Tangier

We then took the highspeed train to Tangier. "Al Boraq" is a 323-kilometer (201 mi) high-speed rail service between Casablanca and Tangier in Morocco. The first of its kind on the African continent, it opened on 15 November 2018 after a decade of planning and construction. The train was named Al Boraq after the creature in Islamic tradition believed to have transported some prophets, including the Islamic prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Jerusalem during the night journey.