Train To Rabat 2025

I have been in Asilah for just over 2 weeks now and may have seen all I can see. So I took a train from Asilah to Rabat for 10 am. Return trip in Canadian all of $27. The assigned seat was with a Moroccan family including a 4 year old boy but in first class there are empty seats which I claim. Luckily Steph was insightfull enough to make sure we picked up some books to read in London's little libraries. I arrive at the Rabat station at 1:30 and it is beautiful and modern. This is one of the two stations in Rabat city. Just down the street is the national railways large office with a locamotive at the entrance - a picture for train enthusiast Nikki. The city has big sidewalks and lovely landscaping and no vagabond dogs like in Tangier and Asilah. Found my hostel (Cdn of also $27 - and worth just that) after a 50 minute walk into the madina. Very busy area of street vendors and shoppers.

After leaving my luggage I went in search of 1 of the 2 Indian restaurants per google in the city close enough to walk. But in Morocco Google is not often very accurate. Many selections showing on Google no longer exist. But it is a challenge with maps seeing there are so many laneways/alleys that weave all around this rather large medina. I found the number 6 bus past the Royal Palace and a short walk to Indian Flavors (spelled that way). It was early for dinner so I was one of the two people in the restaurant and had wonderful service. I walked back to the hostel via the ocean and came across some magnificient views and stopped in the Mohammed V Mausoleum on a hill overlooking the city.

With the help of a man that speaks English I found the unsigned bnb again. So many laneways and they tend to look similar. Another guest in the hostel is from South Korea and we swap bicycle ride stories. She is learning Arabic in language school here in Rabat. My sleeping quarter is not sound proof and I hear snoring in the night and a rooster about 5:30 am. So I am dressed and walking out by 7:30 am.

There is a French restaurant near by where I am first customer and get the front window seat. The eggs benedict are excellent along with the pastry and fruit and the most delicious fresh Greek yogurt I have ever tasted - and I am not a big yogurt fan! I now am heading for the free Art museum but I am too early for the 10 am openning so I keep walking and come to a beach front so I stop for a Orangina and a pastry - made with dates or figs, apricots, raisins and almonds so it is delicious without being sickly sweet as from refined sugars. I walk by many beautiful buildings with names in Arabic and just wanter and view without consulting any app. Then, as per my original idea to visit, I find a Carrefour grocery store. They have food items I am used to and can make a wider variety of meals. I am now burdened with heavy bags so back to the hostel to re-pack and check out before noon. It is a sunny warm day and even with my cap on I get too much sun on my face! A slow walk to the closer train station where I sit down for lunch of pizza. The train is on time and I am sitting with young people - two of which speak English (and likely 2 or 3 other languages - I so revere this attribute). There is a train change in Kenitra and about 6 tracks. I am trying to decifer the train schedule maps and without asking someone will come to me and help me sort out where to go - the people are just so amazing. This happens often and, naturally, with those that speak English (I have been asked if I speak Dutch ) They ask me where I am from and repond saying "I love Canada". Then we agree it is cold. Once the reply was only "Celine Dion", and my reply: YES. Waiting for the train people cross the tracks on foot something not allowed in Canada. I bought fresh almonds in the market and share them with my fellow travelers - these nuts are so fresh and soft and I have a large bag. In this country side I see fields as far as the eye can see with crops or ready to be seeded. The land looks dry but still is productive. Also orange groves - so pretty. There are bee hives and lots of sheep. But there are also spaces of garbage - dumped - construction waste and many plastic bottles and blue plastic bags that stand out. It is hard for me to fathom that this would be tolerated. We pass a large automotive plant and then see a freight train with many of this brand of car heading north toward Tangier - and maybe beyond ? Some fluorescent lights are on taller buildings as we pass by towns, and in the market shops in Asilah. I have not seen many high rise buildings in Morocco so far. Our tickets are checked and a group of 8 young men without tickets are removed from the train. I am engrossed in my book -Body Surfing - and a big orange sun is setting in the sky at 7 pm. It sets by 7:30. I finish the book just 20 minutes before we pull into the Asilah station. Locals depart the train and jump over a wall to walk into town. Again another guy who has been making sure I get to my correct stop (he is also departing in Asilah) asks if I have a taxi booked (no, why??) and goes to a cab and in Arabic gives him all my details. People are just so helpful. As my friend Rani explains the Muslim ideology is basically to take care of other people and it is so evident here. I am really taken care of without asking. It is truly wonderful. I share the taxi with 2 other men and am use to this now and it makes sense to save time and resources. So our first stop is in the medina and it is 9:30 and shops and restaurants are still open and many people wandering and babies in strollers on the streets. I vow to try to get here one evening ! Another rider leaves the taxi only after giving me instructions on making sure I get to my correct destination. Again having only one language is a FAIL on the school system that I was in when French was added at grade 7 - too late - I just never understood what was being taught. I do enjoy my fruits and coffee and treats I brought back. It is late for me and I try to make up for last nights short sleep.