Play it again, Sam

I know. I promised not to do any corny Casablanca (which, by the way, was filmed entirely in Hollywood) quotes.

Just returned from Morocco. Casablanca, Fes, Rabat, and Marrakech. An amazing country, especially for photography. A bit challenging, though, since most of the people, particularly women and old men, absolutely refuse to have their picture taken. I asked a couple of people why. It was not because of religion, as I had thought, but rather because they were concerned that the photos would be misused, against Islam. This had apparently been a problem with the media and the internet. Sad.

Morocco is full of contrasts. Couscous for lunch, with french pastries for dessert. The modern Nouvelle part of the cities, and the preserved ancient medina. Beggars in the alleyways, and 20 million dollar homes (including those of Bruce Willis, Madonna) in outskirts of Marrakech. Women with face veils, and discos rocking till 7am.

Our guide, Mukhtar, was a friendly, funny, and knowledgeable guy. He was also a movie buff. Morocco has apparently been a favorite for Hollywood. A few of the films shot in Morocco: Lawrence of Arabia, Alfred Hitchcock's The Man Who Knew Too Much, as well as some scenes from The Birds, and Patton. More recent movies: The Mummy, The Mummy Returns, Kingdom of Heaven, Gladiator, Babel, Black Hawk Down and Hidalgo.

Another trivia tidbit: Morocco is the only Arab nation that was not conquered by the empire of the Ottoman Turks.

An amazing trip.

My Morocco set on Flickr.