Photos will be figured out sometime soon, but right now it's an issue.

Today we made port in Casablanca, Morocco.

We only had two hours to take it in, and once we stepped off the ship (as per usual ALREADY) we were immediately accosted by hordes of screaming taxi drivers looking to score big with rich tourists.

"No tour, TAXI," we had to keep explaining.

Finally we were joined by three other ship/castmates and made a deal that for $20 US each we could be driven around for our entire time in this old Mercedes limo... the pictures will eventually make clear that descripitions denotative correctness and connotative deception.... and see all we could see.

We went to the huge mosque... beautiful, awe inspiring. We saw many gorgeous and curious things... the desparity between the third world nature of the area and the VERY wealthy areas not far away.

We drove through an outdoor market, sputtering non-emission controlled fumes into the cabin as much as the outdoors. Our driver pointed to the right... at a booth...

"See that? Those leaves? Mint. Minty. Minty."

"Mint?" someone asked.

"Yes, for mint tea. You know 'tea'?"

"Yes, we know tea," a Brit explained.

"Yes! Tea. Morrocco... mint tea."

Of course, that ...famous Morrocan mint tea. He continued:

"Whiskey Morrocco? You know?"

We didn't know.

"Ahhhh... Whiskey Morrocco... [laughter]."

It was the kind of laughter where everyone joins in somewhat reluctantly even though you don't know what's funny other than the laughter of the original laugher.

At one point we were at a point where we wanted to take some photos and two of the guys took a smoke break. He inquired if we smoked anything but tobacco, and was meant with a resounding "No" thanks at least to the random and highly strict drug screenings we're subject to if not the purity of our souls.

"Well, if you change minds, Morrocco is... good place. [repeat laughter]."

Driving, more driving, Saudi palaces and mosques, McDonald's with arabic logos, and then an unexpected turn down a deep winding bush-hidden trail.

Where are we going???

We came to a small lake hidden from... well, anything, with a beautiful glass and marble building. "NOW you drink Whiskey Morocco."

"No," says we, "No whiskey Morrocco, we have to go back to the ship. to WORK."

He was undeterred. One of us had to follow him into the building and convince him no native beverages for us. (For one thing, we know better than to dirnk anything made with local water ANYWHERE... but we didn't mention THAT.)

He was considerably less jovial upon his return to the car. We drove on in mainly silence, thinking we were returning to the ship. Suddenly, the car stalled, in the middle of the insane street. (You haven't seen crazy city driving until you've been to Morrocco.)

Our car died. We were stranded in we-didn't-know-where Casablanca and had to be back on the ship in less than an hour.

We waited as he phoned his boss, we waited as several men came in aid. We were circled by some people several times. We stood to the side of the street and waited. All in all, about half an hour. Finally, his boss shows up in another Mercedes with a gallon of gas... yup. Out of gas.

He puts it in, the car sputters again, and we ride on in even WORSE fumes.

"This... this is house of King!"

"NO! Ship. Take us to the ship."

"This is golf, you know golf? You no want stop?"

"No! No more stops! JUST SHIP. ONLY SHIP."

Driving on in quiet, we get to the ship and I've never been so glad to see it.

And we've only just begun.

Pictures to come.