Whilst I was stationed in GIBRALTAR during my National Service and at REME Headquarters, in my spare time weekends it enabled me to travel to various destinations in North Africa such as: 

CASABLANCA, MARRAKECH, FEZ

Casablanca is the largest major city in North Africa, it has stunning architectural beauty. Casablanca was chosen to be the site of the monument designed to mark the end of a century- the Hassan II Mosque.

Hassan II Mosque
Photo from ArtToday.com

Hassan II Mosque, built for the 60th birthday of former Moroccan King Hassan II, is the largest religious monument in the world after Mecca. It has space for 25,000 worshippers inside and another 80,000 outside. The 210-meter minaret is the tallest in the world and is visible day and night for miles around. 

Marrakech is the unchallenged capital of Southern Morocco

MOROCCAN LEATHER, Morocco has thousands of types of Moroccan leather-workings, all of which are of old tradition:-in Fes and Marrakech a whole district is reserved to tanners. Wallets, desk sets, babouches, leather poufs etc... 

My Wallet's inlaid 22carat gold leaf with my initials laid in, (Left) and (Right) bought in Marrakech whilst I was there in 1953 and made before my very eyes by the tanner.

Jebel M'goun, the only 4000-metre peak outside the Toubkal area.

Photo: Jogi Januschowsky

A painting by Winston Spencer Churchill of Marrakech in the 50's

Winston Spencer Churchill, was an avid and highly skilled painter, using the activity both as a relaxation and as an intense part of his life, he visited Marrakech a number of times

I did not envisage myself as a snake charmer but I bought a small hat like the one worn below by the snake charmer it was easier to blend in with the Locals in Morocco.

Snake show with black cobra on the "Djemma el Fna" in Marrakesh.

Photo: Jogi Januschowsky

Below a picture taken of the market where brassware carpets and all types of items can be purchased.  Bill Rice was an American Servicemen serving in North Africa at the same time as I was in the services in Gib 52/54.

Joe Guderian  re-visits Casablanca in April 2001 an American Serviceman who was in the US Navy stationed at Port Lyautey, North Africa.  Serving in the US Forces during the same period 1952/54. Joe went to Tanger, Larache and Fedala which had a fantastic white sandy beach, similar to his beach in New Jersey. Gibraltar was a shopping mecca for the US Military forces  stationed in North West Africa, they would purchase many items have a few good pints in the English Pub and visit the various bars. Joe visited Gib, one of his friends bought a used Leica for forty bucks and another friend picked up some filters and a 35 millimeter converter for his Rollie.

 Joe was also very interested in photography and purchased a number of items in Main Street.