August 15, 2015

Rabat, Morocco

The minaret for Assounna Mosque in Rabat.
The minaret for Assounna Mosque in Rabat.
Part of the wall on the south side of Rabat (at the end of the Administrative Quarter).
Part of the wall on the south side of Rabat (at the end of the Administrative Quarter).
The wall surrounding Chellah.
The wall surrounding Chellah.
The entrance to Chellah.
The entrance to Chellah.
Wall on the south side of Rabat, north of Chellah.
Wall on the south side of Rabat, north of Chellah.
Art on the side of a building in Rabat.
Art on the side of a building in Rabat.
Mohammad VI Avenue in Rabat.
Mohammad VI Avenue in Rabat.
Post Office in Rabat.
Post Office in Rabat.

I woke up around 11:00 today, showered, and relaxed inside my room. I was feeling much better thanks to the medicine (Nifuroxazide) I was taking to treat my traveler’s diarrhea. I stayed inside my room for most of the day, typing away on journal entries and still trying to recoup my lost health. Finally, after 18:00, I decided to go out for a walk and to see some nearby sites. I exited the hotel and walked south, past many government buildings that were all well-guarded compounds, and made my way through the southern wall of Rabat and to the medieval fortified necropolis of Chellah. I crossed the dangerous street south of Rabat’s wall and then walked to the entrance of Chellah, making it there just in time to see the entrance door close for the day (it closed at 19:00). So, I then decided to walk north through Rabat. I considered walking to Hassan Tower, but decided against it since it may also be closed (in my mind, I had actually imagined both Chellah and Hassan Tower to be open tourist sites, but when I saw that one could close for the day, I imagined the other could to and probably already did). I then walked in a northwesterly direction and made it to the wall around Rabat’s old city, the medina. I passed by Bab Chellah Gate and walked westward, passing by many people selling their merchandise on the sidewalk. I continued on my stroll until I reached familiar territory. I then walked to the market near the hotel and bought some snacks, water, and a Coca-Cola. Next, I walked to the McDonalds and ordered my dinner (coke, French fries, and a Big n’ Tasty burger); I had considered eating real food, but I didn’t want to chance upsetting my stomach again now that I was on the road to recovery (it will be hard for me to take a chance on food again in Morocco since I want to be in tip-top shape for my return to Europe). With food and drinks in hand, I returned to my hotel room and ate my meal. I then typed out some more journal entries and worked on the website. Eventually, I went to sleep after 03:00 (I have been staying up far too late recently . . . but it is really hot during midday, so I guess there is no need to wake up too early on most days while in this country in the summer).

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An open journal or an exercise in narcissism.