Two weeks ago, my good friend and colleague Nora and I went to Casablanca, Morocco for the annual CIVITAS conference. CIVITAS is an EU funded network of cities who work together to design and implement sustainable urban transport solutions. Near the beginning of our master studies, the two of us used CIVITAS as a case study for a governance project together, and now Nora is writing her thesis about them. So the conference was a time for her to conduct interviews, me to get some additional research for the project I'm finishing, and us both to do a bit of networking and enjoy Casablanca.
We flew through Paris, which conveniently coincided with the Air France pilot strike, but thankfully on our way to Casablanca we miraculously were booked on the only flights actually running.
Place des Nations Unies, the main square, lined with cafes and restaurants, which we walked through often as this separated our hotel from the venue for the conference
Even though most of our days would be spent inside the conference, CIVITAS organized several activities for the day we arrived, including a walking tour through the Old Medina of Casablanca.
Piles of spices in the market in the Old Medina
Standing on part of the old city walls, there were several stories by our two guides about the history of this spot and the cannons, although nobody could quite decide on just one version of this story, it was at some time the main defense point for the city.
Also part of the wall, now a restaurant, which we came back to a few nights later.
The traffic in Casablanca seems to have a bit of a free for all mentality. Cars appear to go all different directions simultaneously and pedestrians cross between the speeding cars and just hope for the best. Despite all the craziness we didn't actually witness any major accidents, so apparently it works for everyone.
The city of Casablanca hosted us in some gorgeous locations for a few special evening events as well.
The view from the balcony in the photo above, out onto this park, and this is also one of the few photos I have of the new 31 km Casablanca tram line.
The main theme of this year's conference was about how urban transit can play a role in social inclusion of all social and economic groups in a city, and this tram in Casablanca was also an excellent example of that.
Late afternoon in the square
Back at the restaurant in the wall, La Sqala, enjoying our Moroccan mint tea to finish a delicious meal.
While there is generally no alcohol served anywhere in Casablanca, there are a few restaurants and bars which do serve, including Rick's Cafe just like in the movie. A group of us headed over to Rick's after dinner for a drink while being appropriately serenaded by a live version of "As Time Goes By" on the piano.
After 3 full days of presentations and discussions, the city of Casablanca hosted a dinner on the last evening in the Royal Palace, which is currently home to the seat of the regional government and not generally open to the public.
I'm not entirely sure what the original purpose of this building was or when exactly it was built, but the walls are covered in this ornate tile, and rooms seem to continue on in every direction somewhat endlessly.
In the middle was a large open air courtyard, where delicious juices were passed, as well as stations set up with women doing gorgeously ornate henna for anyone that wished.
Live music before dinner
Dinner was a delicious presentation of several Moroccan dishes, dramatically served under large silver domes with a coordinated unveiling on each table. The food we had the entire time we were there was incredibly delicious, and we're looking forward to attempting to recreate some of these here in Vienna.
The Air France strike was still happening during our return flights, and we weren't quite as lucky this time. While we did make it back to Europe on the only flight on that route out of Casablanca on Friday, our connecting flight to Vienna had been cancelled.
So what else could we possibly do but head into town and enjoy a nice chocolate crepe while enjoying the sunshine and the Eiffel Tower :)
We did finally make it back on a flight to Vienna Saturday night, the end of a very successful and fun week.
This conference fell pretty much right in the middle of me having to move out of my apartment as well. I figured out that after living in that apartment for 2 years and 7 months, it was the longest place I'd lived in since moving out to go to college at 17. I'm still in Vienna for now, searching for something permanent work wise, which is good since I am now more familiar with just how much stuff I have amassed over here, and what sort of coordinated effort it will take to get it moved anywhere. There's still lots of exciting things going on around here, and now it's fall, with all the wonderful seasonal things that brings, and we're off to Croatia this weekend for the wedding of some very good friends!
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