World Travels: Play It Again Sam........Casablanca, Morocco

CASABLANCA-Rick's Cafe

The power of Hollywood........no one from the set of the classic movie Casablanca ever set foot in Morocco...........so Humphrey Bogart's famous lines "Play it again Sam" and "Here's looking at you Kid" were all played out on a set in Hollywood. But an American lady Kathy Kriger (photo below) from Portland, Oregon living in Casablanca as an American diplomat decided that the story and the movie were so important to the area she created a Rick's Cafe in Casablanca that replicates the cafe used in the movie.
We had a chance to have a drink at Rick's Cafe in Casablanca and to meet Kathy the owner.
As we enjoyed the evening at Rick's Cafe I tried to do my best Bogart that I've got in me.........which always comes up a little short........I was hoping that the setting would help!!!!!!!

Casablanca, the city is a very bustling Atlantic Ocean coastal city that has exploded into the 21st century. The ruler of Saudi Arabia has a nice "little" compound in the city.

The muslim community built their present King Hassan ll a mosque (photo below) here in Casablanca which was presented to him as a birthday present........it's HUGE.
It took 7 years to build by 10,000 workers and was dedicated in 1993. The complex covers 22 acres and the roof is retractable. During services it holds 105,000 people inside and another 80,000 outside. The King's wish was to build the largest building in Morocco........here is what his request was.

"I wish Casablanca to be endowed with a large, fine building

of which it can be proud until the end of time ... I want to

build this mosque on the water, because God's throne is on

the water. Therefore, the faithful who go there to pray, to

praise the creator on firm soil, can contemplate God's sky

and ocean."
-----------------------------------------------------

It was fun to explore the diverse world of Casablanca.

It's OK to be HAPPY

Namaste

Denny and Renee