Tour of the Imperial Cities

I and my friend Tiziana set off for Morocco on an organised tour. We would have preferred a do-it-yourself trip but we didn't much like the idea of two lone blonde women roaming Morocco on an adventure. Well yes, we were overcome by a strong (and I'm not sure healthy) prejudice towards the Islamic world, so we preferred a flock of about thirty Italians that perhaps made us a little... sheep-like but far safer! We arrive in Marrakech in the afternoon and are taken to the hotel. Immediately the Moroccan guide, a likeable and intelligent girl who during the trip will disprove many of our prejudices and clichés, explains what our itinerary will be: the next morning departure straight away for Casablanca, Rabat with an overnight stay, a trip to Volubilis, Meknes, Fes and back to Marrakech where we'll stay for two days on a visit.

I won't describe the stages of the trip precisely because on this site someone has already done it much better than I could, and since the destinations are the same, I refer you to those descriptions (excellent and detailed) for the details and wonders of the various places visited. I'd like to write about the impressions I had from this trip. CASABLANCA: a very modern, functional city, very similar to our own. The only thing that makes it different is the beautiful mosque that stands on the seafront and which I believe is one of the largest in the Muslim world. RABAT: it's the capital, seat of the kingdom and a city that begins to give you an idea of the architecture you'll encounter on the trip. Interesting and fascinating is the medina, with all those narrow little streets, the little white houses and the kasbah in the upper part of the city.

Here is also the oldest and most interesting part, which if visited in a "flock" doesn't frighten, but on your own..... I wouldn't have felt so at ease. (Cursed prejudices) The hotel in Rabat is a 5-star and, apart from the not-rare power sockets dangling from the walls like Christmas decorations, and the smell of damp in the room, you could call it a truly luxurious place. We taste a wonderful mint tea that I won't find again even with the dried mint bought and brewed in Italy on my return. Don't try it, you'll make a mess. Better to drink it in Morocco, or else have someone tell you about it. Meknes: beautiful is the mausoleum dedicated to Moulay Ismail and the stables. VOLUBILIS: a great testimony to the presence of the Romans in Morocco too. It's a large construction that we really wouldn't expect to find in this country! Travelling also serves to broaden your culture.

During the journey north I'm amazed to see how much green there is around. We wouldn't expect to find such lush, very green pastures in Morocco. Judging also by the numerous herds of cattle we met, we had the feeling of being in Switzerland in summer and not in January in North Africa. This too was an aspect I didn't imagine existed in Morocco. FES: an extraordinary city. The things that strike you most: the very narrow little streets of the medina, crowded with donkeys ridden by peasants who keep shouting Belek! Belek! which is supposed to let them make their way. Another thing, this time however terrible, is the visit to the tanneries, where the nauseating smell is absolutely insignificant compared to the unhygienic conditions in which the tanners work. A shame in broad daylight against every most basic human right.

I invite tourists who go there to see how much work there'd be to do for any trade unionist! In that situation, however, rather than labour law, we should speak of basic human and civil rights. Perhaps by seeing certain realities first-hand, you become aware of the fact that in the world every person should have the same rights..... MARRAKECH: the most fascinating and bewitching. That city gathers the core of the magic we breathed throughout the whole trip. It feels like being the protagonists of one of those musical fairy tales that were fashionable when I was a child and that always began with a little song that went: - At a thousand there are, of paths and fairy tales for you........- CONCLUSIONS Morocco is a fascinating and enchanting country. Fantastic cuisine (if we banish cumin from the table), wonderful pastries.

In Islam it's one of the most moderate, but that doesn't change the fact that when we visit we must show the utmost respect for its customs and traditions. Certainly there's still a long way to go as regards labour rights in some places, but I'm convinced that cultural exchanges between peoples can, over time, work miracles without imposing anything on anyone. Enjoy Morocco