Our exploration to city started with our touch down to one of the most beautiful country on the world map. Started our journey with excellent authentic Moroccan dinner with the team. This was my first encounter with the Moroccan cuisines. I had Couscous with mint tea which was amazing. Interaction with team was excellent. Everyone was bringing something different expertise and skill to the table. It was excellent evening and was enriching experience I was overwhelmed with the stuff people were doing apart from their regular professional work. Next morning was planned for more formal introduction of the team and sharing of gifts. Everyone got gifts for all team members which was unique and well thought. Every gift item was a representation of the rich culture they were coming from. An excellent interactive session to engage together 15 people from 10 different countries. Nabil and Imane were and still are the ambassadors of Moroccan fun, happy life and lifestyle.
Our formal and fun filled introduction session was followed by a long
walk across the city of Casablanca. Imane - our program manager and
guide to the best places anywhere in the world, was guide that after
noon. We walked by the port of Casablanca and went to one of the amazing
Moroccan restaurant Sqala. It is an amazing restaurant serving lot
many Moroccan cuisines. One dish was very unique that meat is cooked
overnight and is one of the major attraction at the restaurant.
Unfortunately we were late for it, it was already gone by 3 pm. I had
Tagine which was amazing. Every one of us ate something unique and local
and was very pleased. Lunch was followed by another walk along the
Mosque Hasan 2 which is located by the sea is one of the most beautiful
structure in the city.
Had an ice-cream break in between and lazily strolled to hotel. None of us were in a condition to have dinner so we went to Sky28 for a nice hangout and signed off for the day.
Sunday morning was planned for deeper exploration to the city of Casablanca with the local guide Ahmad. He was an aged gentleman filled with lot of local humor and knowledge. He definitely beat all of us in terms of speed, he walked really fast. Walked us through the port, ricks cafe, mosque and some unexplored area in Casablanca. Followed by walk to one of the busiest streets in Casablanca - the Medina.
You could see the real Morocco with all sorts of shops and vendors selling some best of the products like fruits, vegetables, mints and meats. It was chaotic with local people trying to bargain and buy something. Market was meant to be for locals so no one approached to us to buy anything. It was fun.
Monday started with formal meeting in IBM office and the clients. We went one of the testing center and it was first hand experience what these people are doing. Prevention education followed by HIV testing. Good to know few things but some of the stuff we saw was little disturbing specially age of professional workers.
We went to the top of palace to get a panoramic view of the city. Rest of the week was more dedicated towards information gathering with the clients. We went to Fes on Thursday, I will write separately about it. Followed by trip to Chefchawan and Tangier. Will capture details in another blog soon. Rest of the weekend was with the client for requirement gathering.
#ibmcsc, #ibmcscmorocco5
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