As anyone who has read this blog for a while knows, Dan and I are big fans of markets and stores. That is, we like supermarkets and department stores and boutiques and even, occasionally upscale chains–the kinds of stores that can be found in affluent, newer neighborhoods at home and all over the world. But we are particularly fans of the kinds of markets and small stores that can be found in very old neighborhoods and medinas. And to our delight, Casablanca has its share.

Even many of the stores on the streets displayed a sense of rhythm and design.

And then there was the big Marche Central, which contains the fish market I talked about yesterday. But it’s bigger than just fish. There’s meat…

(See the cats? There are at least four in this picture. There’s a wonderful mutual tolerance between felines and humans in the markets and on the streets of Morocco.)

…and there are dry and preserved goods…

…and of course, beautiful produce in abundance…

…all fresh and locally grown in December!