Rick's Cafe

Isn't it Christmas time again? Today I want to talk about my Christmas trips in the past three years. I won't talk about the far ones. In the last issue, we talked about Egypt (friends who are interested can read the previous article). In this issue, we will talk about Morocco. From the map, Morocco and Egypt are both North African countries, separated by Libya, Tunisia and Algeria. They are collectively known as the five North African countries. I have been to four of these five countries, and I really don't dare to go to Libya! The biggest difference between these five and the traditional understanding of Africa is that they are not black but more like Arabs. Many people would say that they are Arabs, which is actually true. But to be rigorous, Morocco is mainly the descendant of the Berber (pronounced bo) people, so their mother tongue is Berber, but most Moroccans speak Moroccan French, which is different from the other four brothers who use Arabic as their mother tongue! Actually, this is my first time to Morocco. I chose this month to avoid the harsh summer in Morocco. Can you stand the famous Sahara Desert? But this time I stayed in a desert tent hotel on purpose. I took a minibus from Mezouta and then an off-road vehicle into the desert, and then changed to a camel team to continue walking to the heart of the Sahara Desert. The stars were beautiful at night, but I was almost frozen to death. Although we stayed in a tent designed and built specifically for foreign tourists, and there were air conditioners and heaters in the expensive suite, I still caught a cold the next day! Let’s just talk about Christmas Day, December 25, 2018. I was in Casablanca. Casablanca is the city with the best name in the world in my opinion, just like the English name of the flamingo, Flamingo, haha! Let’s not talk about it for now, let’s talk about Rick’s Cafe. There is no Christmas decoration or atmosphere here, but I learned in advance that the menu was slightly adjusted to show the difference that night, that’s all! Of course, RICK’s Cafe is famous for no other reason than because a movie, and a masterpiece that is deeply rooted in people’s hearts, “Casablanca”, the Chinese translation of which is “North African Spy”, was filmed here! Actually, I haven't really watched this movie. Before planning to come to Morocco, I wanted to catch up on it several times on the plane, but because it was a black and white movie and in Arabic, I couldn't finish it, haha. This time, I specially booked dinner on Christmas Day. I remember clearly that when I arrived at the door of the cafe at 5:40, there was already a long queue at the door 20 minutes before the door opened at 6 o'clock, and there were many Chinese tourists who came to the door to take pictures. I knocked on the door and said that I had booked a full meal in the evening (it was actually not too expensive, much cheaper than eating a meal of Dadong roast duck in Beijing). He invited me in very gentlemanly. At this time, the people queuing outside were not happy and protested why I didn't queue up. The old waiter was no longer gentlemanly and shouted at them: "This gentleman has booked a week in advance and it is a full meal. You didn't book and many people will only drink a cup of coffee, so you have to queue up!" Hearing these words, I felt a sense of superiority in my heart, but it soon cooled down. In fact, in the face of the equality of all beings in Islam, as long as you spend more money, you will also be treated as a distinguished guest!

Rick's Cafe is the most influential cafe in Casablanca. It is the filming location of the famous movie Casablanca. It has not changed for decades. The movie Casablanca is always played on the screen of the restaurant. It is really nostalgic, as if you are in the scene of the movie. The desserts and coffee in the cafe are actually very good. For this feeling, such nostalgic atmosphere and artistic atmosphere, you should come here to taste or visit.

In a small hall of the cafe, the movie "Casablanca" and its theme song: "Time Flies" were continuously playing, making people wonder if "Rick" was waiting for them there.

Rick's Cafe, located in Casablanca, is a replica of the cafe in the movie The Spy Shadow of North Africa. It's a cafe built after a movie. It's popular for movies. The original film was released in 1942, starring Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart. It tells the story of espionage and love in Rick's Cafe against the background of World War II. It was so classical that people came to look for the cafe and built it locally. Because it's very popular, we have to make an appointment in advance for every meal. We just arrived and made an appointment at 9:30 p.m. on the tenth day. We can see how popular it is. It costs $120 per person. The price is not expensive. But we feel the atmosphere. We listen to the band playing the episode in the movie live. Looking back on the beautiful story, no matter how cruel the war is, human nature and love are always human nature.

A "North African Spy Shadow" lured us to Rick's Cafe. You can eat lunch and dinner in it, or drink wine and coffee. A handsome man stood at the door to greet the guests, but his clothes were untidy (such as wearing hollow jeans, slippers, etc.) and those with large backpacks were refused. We ordered lemon shrimp salad, T-bone steak, Obama and characteristic mutton. The three of us could not hold up after a slow tasting. Not wanting to leave too soon, I ordered dessert - "including ice cream and coffee. The English-speaking Americans at the next table also ordered desserts. Up to the second floor after dinner, the TV is broadcasting "North African spy shadow" and posters of Ingrid Bergman and the male owner are posted on the wall. Although they are imitating the construction of movie scenes, they are also a good place for rest and relaxation.

After visiting the mosque, we arrived at the cafe on foot. The dinner seats for that evening were fully booked. The coffee drinkers were arranged on the second floor and were almost full. We were a little disappointed. A waitress suggested that we sit at the bar counter on the first floor and a foreign woman sit on the side. We ordered the local beer and chatted with the bartender. He was so happy that he handed us his purple and sauce red hat and asked the waiter to take pictures of us. It's okay to take proper pictures inside, but always holding the camera and walking back and forth in it, affecting the other diners are not allowed. The coffee shop is small, gorgeous and elegant, and the basic decoration is similar to that in the movie. A piano is quietly on the side, which reminds us of the black man playing in the movie. More than nine o'clock, the pianist came, but did not play the moving "time flow" in the film. The lyrics are a moment of sighing and a sweet kiss in the heart. As time goes by, the true feelings will never change. Diners put down their knives and forks, stopped talking and listened. Actually the film "North African spy film" was filmed in Hollywood studio, and the actors had never been to Casa. A former American diplomat in Casa opened the cafe after she retired. Later, her reputation grew and became the focus of fans and travelers. Looking at the menu, there are more kinds of Western food than other restaurants, and the price is much higher. We used three small bottles of local Casablanca beer and the atmosphere was good. The woman in the picture is the former diplomat and now the owner of the cafe.

When we get to Casablanca, tourists usually go to Rick's coffee for a drink and enjoy the scenes in the movie. We are past after dinner. If we had better make a reservation in advance, Morocco's eldest brother has already greeted the manager. So nine of us also have a place to order a famous champagne recommended by our daughter (Carrefour supermarket sells 1000 Moroccan dirhams and 1500 here sells 1500 Moroccan dirhams). A bottle of Diram, Morocco, feels reasonable price) and beer, as well as French fries, we drink and eat while communicating, very happy, to Casablanca travel must go there.

When I went, I stood at the entrance of this restaurant and did not see it. The sea was still asking for directions. I spent more than half a day drawing my feet. It was here that people pointed up their hands. A very low-key building, next to it seems to be a car repair, so the door will stop at will some cars, not pay attention to easy to miss, I ordered lamb chops, local beer, when I want dessert, the service brother said you do not need, you see your food is not finished, I will discuss that an ice-cream ball, it is really a ball, but really TAD is delicious. ...