Moroccan secrets

Instead of telling you where I been and what I've seen, how about I tell you about stuff you won't read in a guidebook eh?

One of the things which strikes you in Morocco is that old people aren't hidden away in some nursing home. I didn't realise that they were actually hidden away in Australia until I noticed old folks around everywhere - drinking tea, chatting, playing cards. Someone told me that if you get mugged or someone is giving you grief, seek out one of the old men sitting around and they'll fix 'em. I have watched locals stop their horsecarts to allow an old gentleman to pass. Remember those old folks sitting around in Asterix in Corsica? That's what it reminds me of. They even dress like that.

Bollywood is everywhere. Apart from the taxi driver i told you about, I have encountered bollywood in bars, cafes, movie theatres (which seems to show as many bollywood flicks as hollywood ones) and bootleg cd/dvd stalls. People sing bollywood songs when they see me or want me to come into their store. They love Amitabh Bachan, but then again who doesn't. And especially the oldies! While waiting for my bus I glanced up to see Dev Anand in his orange suit twitching that neck of his singing "Mein hoon... Banarasi Baboo".

Everyone loves and talks about the tagines and couscous but let me tell you about the gems which don't get the deserved hype. Bowl of escargot cooked in a spicy broth like "Jal jeera" for 6 Dh (thats 1 AUD). For vegos, they also have chick peas cooked in that spicy broth for 3 Dh. Soup bars where a bowl of soup and bread costs around 5 Dh and is the best thing on a cold day. Caramelised peanuts and almonds sold for 1 Dh for a small block. Individually set glasses of sweet yogurt for 2 Dh. Have a tagine or two but the real stuff is in places without a menu and without Obrunis.