Grostenquin France

1956 - Bellima Hotel in Rabat - Don Norrie


This photo was taken in front of the Bellima Hotel in Rabat where most of us would sit, have a beer and watch the pedestrian traffic. The hazards of sitting here was that local traders were always trying to sell us something - and we would usually buy.

Pictured in this photo with one of our favorite Arab barkers is LAC "Bill" Johnson on the left, and Cpl "Pee Wee" Garnum. I'm sure every Canadian that visited Rabat bought a tapestry such as those portrayed over the shoulder of the Arab. They would always start with an exorbitant price and the game was to barter and try and get the price down. "How much you speak Canada" was their popular opening phrase. I still have my tapestry titled "1001 Nights" hanging on the bedroom wall.