FINALLLY! lentils woohoo
and beets too
yeah for ruffage
(^^^thoughts from tuesday)
I'm off to the rural village tomorrow......I'm so glad this week is over
(thoughts from today^^^)
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Really Tired
It's been a long week. and it's only Tuesday.
8:30 am Arabic class, until 12. Lunch, then class from 1 to 3. Then orientation to our village homestay, which we are leaving for on Thursday afternoon. After that we listened to a film producer discuss her movie on divorce in Iran, then I went to the train station with friends to use the internet and didn't get home until 9:30.....and that was only monday.
Today it's five pm here now and I've been in class since 8:30 this morning, with only an hour break for lunch.
I wish I could say I will be going home to bed, but alas belly dancing class tonight and then lots of homework for arabic.
On a brighter note, last night my dinner table looked much more appealing to me. Big serving of beet, carrot, potato salad with some of my basil plant sprinkled on it, as well as olives, walnuts and apricots that I bought for the family. However, the meal would not be complete without a big center dish of oily mushy vegetable and hobs (bread).
Tomorrow is going to be just as long, but I think the fact that we leave Thursday afternoon for the rural village will help me get through.....and the thought of Syrian food for dinner
PS UPDATED PICTURES.....photos, photos, photos
8:30 am Arabic class, until 12. Lunch, then class from 1 to 3. Then orientation to our village homestay, which we are leaving for on Thursday afternoon. After that we listened to a film producer discuss her movie on divorce in Iran, then I went to the train station with friends to use the internet and didn't get home until 9:30.....and that was only monday.
Today it's five pm here now and I've been in class since 8:30 this morning, with only an hour break for lunch.
I wish I could say I will be going home to bed, but alas belly dancing class tonight and then lots of homework for arabic.
On a brighter note, last night my dinner table looked much more appealing to me. Big serving of beet, carrot, potato salad with some of my basil plant sprinkled on it, as well as olives, walnuts and apricots that I bought for the family. However, the meal would not be complete without a big center dish of oily mushy vegetable and hobs (bread).
Tomorrow is going to be just as long, but I think the fact that we leave Thursday afternoon for the rural village will help me get through.....and the thought of Syrian food for dinner
PS UPDATED PICTURES.....photos, photos, photos
Monday, September 27, 2010
Let the Hash burn and the Wine flow
Weekend in Asilah, the cleanest, most beautiful place in Morocco....thus far.
Left Rabat Friday afternoon (classes were canceled!) and took the train to Asilah, a wonderful town about 45 minutes south of Tangier along the Atlantic coast. Our train kept having problems so what was supposed to be a three hour ride took four and half, but we got to see the very diverse landscape of Morocco.
Got to the Asilah finally and made our way to our hotel, which was NOT at all what we were expecting based on the guidebook's description aka it was not a newly renovated hotel with murals on the walls by local artists with an accessible beautiful roof terrace, but a dirty, somewhat sleezy hotel with very bizarre paintings on the walls with a very bare rooftop. Regardless, we (myself and twelve others) were happy to have made it there.
Headed to dinner where I got a salad (with lettuce and uncooked vegetables!!) and veggie soup. I was really hoping for some vegetable paella but unfortunately they wouldn't make it for me.
Walked around a little but returned quickly to the hotel to enjoy hash, wine and music on the rooftop.
Saturday: woke up and packed up for the beach. Got breakfast at a cafe and started our two hour trek to paradise beach. Some members of our group opted for a horse cart to take them there, but seven of us decided to walk along the coast. It was absolutely beautiful. Orange and red rocks, blue and green water.
Made it to the beach right when the tide was coming in but regardless we were happy to have made it and plopped down in the sand to read and bask in whatever sun was available to us.
Though the walk there was enjoyable, we took the horse cart back. Along with our driver, we enjoyed some funky beats, courtesy of my speakers as we bumped along the countryside back to Asilah
Arrived back at the hotel, nice and sandy, salty, and sunned from the day. Enjoyed some hash before walking around the medina a little.
Wine and hash before dinner
Wanted veggie paella again, but failed so opted for the salad again which was even better than the night before because it had beets! More wine and good times at dinner
Hotel again for hash, hash and more hash
this pplace is awesome
Sunday: woke up, breakfast, medina. The cleanliest, friendliest, calmest medina in morocco i think
I think it has something to do with the proximity to Spain. I like northern Morocco....will most definitely be making a return trip.
Got to use Spanish which was fun, and a nice change from French though between that, english and arabic my mind was a huge whirlpool of languages
Took the train back to Rabat this afternoon, easy ride.
Opinion of this weekend: beautiful, clean, peaceful, amazing. I like the north. It was really interesting to see the how much more Spanish influence there is there, comparing it to the more "middle eastern" feel of Rabat and the mid atlantic coast and wondering what the southern and more central regions of Morocco are like...I'm thinking more African
Left Rabat Friday afternoon (classes were canceled!) and took the train to Asilah, a wonderful town about 45 minutes south of Tangier along the Atlantic coast. Our train kept having problems so what was supposed to be a three hour ride took four and half, but we got to see the very diverse landscape of Morocco.
Got to the Asilah finally and made our way to our hotel, which was NOT at all what we were expecting based on the guidebook's description aka it was not a newly renovated hotel with murals on the walls by local artists with an accessible beautiful roof terrace, but a dirty, somewhat sleezy hotel with very bizarre paintings on the walls with a very bare rooftop. Regardless, we (myself and twelve others) were happy to have made it there.
Headed to dinner where I got a salad (with lettuce and uncooked vegetables!!) and veggie soup. I was really hoping for some vegetable paella but unfortunately they wouldn't make it for me.
Walked around a little but returned quickly to the hotel to enjoy hash, wine and music on the rooftop.
Saturday: woke up and packed up for the beach. Got breakfast at a cafe and started our two hour trek to paradise beach. Some members of our group opted for a horse cart to take them there, but seven of us decided to walk along the coast. It was absolutely beautiful. Orange and red rocks, blue and green water.
Though the walk there was enjoyable, we took the horse cart back. Along with our driver, we enjoyed some funky beats, courtesy of my speakers as we bumped along the countryside back to Asilah
Arrived back at the hotel, nice and sandy, salty, and sunned from the day. Enjoyed some hash before walking around the medina a little.Wine and hash before dinner
Wanted veggie paella again, but failed so opted for the salad again which was even better than the night before because it had beets! More wine and good times at dinner
Hotel again for hash, hash and more hash
this pplace is awesome
Sunday: woke up, breakfast, medina. The cleanliest, friendliest, calmest medina in morocco i think
I think it has something to do with the proximity to Spain. I like northern Morocco....will most definitely be making a return trip.
Got to use Spanish which was fun, and a nice change from French though between that, english and arabic my mind was a huge whirlpool of languages
Took the train back to Rabat this afternoon, easy ride.
Opinion of this weekend: beautiful, clean, peaceful, amazing. I like the north. It was really interesting to see the how much more Spanish influence there is there, comparing it to the more "middle eastern" feel of Rabat and the mid atlantic coast and wondering what the southern and more central regions of Morocco are like...I'm thinking more African
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Traveler's Diarrhea
everyone's got it.....and they've got it bad
I think everyone got a little dehydrated this weekend, but we all know I'm slightly addicted to water soo...missed that bandwagon (luckily)
Just got back from Casablanca. Went there last night with 6 other people and met up with three others. We went to a tapas restaurant where they had nothing for me to eat on the menu so Drew and I went to the manager and told him and he made me a special salad....ya soggy lettuce! Also went to a hookah bar, not so sanitary but thats not so uncommon
Had an info session/meeting this morning with someone from Association Bayti, which helps street children in three cities here. It was very interesting and informative.
Saw the Hassan II Mosque, which is the largest mosque a nonmuslim can go into. It was absolutely massive.
By the time we got to the mosque we were down to five from our original 10. Everyone in my program was supposed to have spent the day in Casablanca but out of the forty plus students I would say less than half of us actually made it.
After the mosque I went to the Jewish museum with two fellow jews. It was cool, kind of boring but interesting I guess.
Train back to Rabat, got home and helped make dinner, Spaghetti.
The exciting part is we ate before 10 and I got to cut vegetables and stir a pot woohoo
OH ANNNND it had lots of flavor
maybe tomorrow I'll even bring home some veggies and rice and ask if I can cook them
boring post, i know, but i'm B.E.A.T
I think everyone got a little dehydrated this weekend, but we all know I'm slightly addicted to water soo...missed that bandwagon (luckily)
Just got back from Casablanca. Went there last night with 6 other people and met up with three others. We went to a tapas restaurant where they had nothing for me to eat on the menu so Drew and I went to the manager and told him and he made me a special salad....ya soggy lettuce! Also went to a hookah bar, not so sanitary but thats not so uncommon
Had an info session/meeting this morning with someone from Association Bayti, which helps street children in three cities here. It was very interesting and informative.
Saw the Hassan II Mosque, which is the largest mosque a nonmuslim can go into. It was absolutely massive.
By the time we got to the mosque we were down to five from our original 10. Everyone in my program was supposed to have spent the day in Casablanca but out of the forty plus students I would say less than half of us actually made it.
After the mosque I went to the Jewish museum with two fellow jews. It was cool, kind of boring but interesting I guess.
Train back to Rabat, got home and helped make dinner, Spaghetti.
The exciting part is we ate before 10 and I got to cut vegetables and stir a pot woohoo
OH ANNNND it had lots of flavor
maybe tomorrow I'll even bring home some veggies and rice and ask if I can cook them
boring post, i know, but i'm B.E.A.T
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
The Land of Olives and Agave
Just got back from my first hammam trip. What an interesting experience. I went with three of my friends (Drew, Anna, Adelaide) and Drew's host mom, host little sisters, and the mom's friend. We bought supplies before we went. These included a mat to sit on, a little bucket for water, a loufa esque scrubber that you can put on your hand like a mitten, mushy brown soap, and henna powder that you mix with water and scrub on you. We got there around four and didn't leave until seven. The dark, cavernous like rooms made the whole experience extra mysterious. It was like bath time for adults. Interesting to see so many naked ladies, who are normally so covered. We all had a lady scrub us, and the amount of dead skin that came off my body was absolutely disgusting yet awesome all at the same time. I've never felt so clean and exfoliated in my life....I hope this lasts awhile, though it only costs about four dollars for entrance and a scrub down.
You (yes you, my faithful readers) should definitely consider not only going to one, but installing one in your own homes.
In other news. Got to be a tourist this weekend, exciting stuff. Took a tour bus to Meknes, Moulay Idriss, Volubilis and Fes. We zoomed through Meknes and Moulay Idriss pretty quickly but they each were interesting in their own right. Moulay Idriss was especially beautiful and I wish we could have explored this brillantly white old city tucked into the surrounding brown mountains. From there we continued on to Volubilis, ancient Roman ruins (don't worry I took lotsof boring pictures of the rumble) This city was once massive and the rocks contrasted so nicely with the BLUE sky.
Riding the bus for so long we got to see a lot of the countryside. Cacti with prickly pear fruit, olive trees, and agave plants were plentiful. (I later found out in Fes that the agave is used to make silk....what a versatile plant)
We got to Fes around 6 and checked into our hotel. I went with Drew and Grace to search for alcohol....probably one of the sketchier things I've done here but successful nonetheless. We had to take a taxi to a big grocery store where the alcohol was tucked away in a separate room. We were the only girls there and had to pay in that room and leave from a back entrance. Trying to catch a taxi back was a little difficult, nerve racking and frustrating but we made it back to the hotel in time to shower and drink before dinner.
Dinner was quite the experience. We went to a restaurant that was so clearly for tourists, there were constant performances (including musicians, belly dancers, a magician, and more dancers), alcohol, and couscous (for me, meat tagine for everyone else)
Then back to the hotel, drank some more and went to a somewhat seedy hotel bar/club where we drank expensive alcohol and danced.
The next day we took a tour of Fes and its Medina, which is the largest in all of Africa. It made Rabat seem so puny in comparison. Had lunch in the medina and it was absolutely delicious. Appetizers = olives and a bunch of various tapenades. My meal was couscous again, but it had flavor so it was great. After lunch we went to a shop that sold traditional clothing. We all tried various things on and most of the girls eventually bought "modern jellahbas" (we all wore them to dinner that night) They are just one piece of fabric and tie in the back then wrap under the legs to create a jacket like effect, so comfortable and you feel like royalty in it.
Drank again before dinner just because we could, dinner was awful at the hotel, bad food, bad experience but lunch was so great that I didn't care.
Back to Rabat this morning, hammam and homework. School tomorrow morning, Casablanca tomorrow night and Wednesday!
You (yes you, my faithful readers) should definitely consider not only going to one, but installing one in your own homes.
In other news. Got to be a tourist this weekend, exciting stuff. Took a tour bus to Meknes, Moulay Idriss, Volubilis and Fes. We zoomed through Meknes and Moulay Idriss pretty quickly but they each were interesting in their own right. Moulay Idriss was especially beautiful and I wish we could have explored this brillantly white old city tucked into the surrounding brown mountains. From there we continued on to Volubilis, ancient Roman ruins (don't worry I took lotsof boring pictures of the rumble) This city was once massive and the rocks contrasted so nicely with the BLUE sky.
Riding the bus for so long we got to see a lot of the countryside. Cacti with prickly pear fruit, olive trees, and agave plants were plentiful. (I later found out in Fes that the agave is used to make silk....what a versatile plant)
We got to Fes around 6 and checked into our hotel. I went with Drew and Grace to search for alcohol....probably one of the sketchier things I've done here but successful nonetheless. We had to take a taxi to a big grocery store where the alcohol was tucked away in a separate room. We were the only girls there and had to pay in that room and leave from a back entrance. Trying to catch a taxi back was a little difficult, nerve racking and frustrating but we made it back to the hotel in time to shower and drink before dinner.
Dinner was quite the experience. We went to a restaurant that was so clearly for tourists, there were constant performances (including musicians, belly dancers, a magician, and more dancers), alcohol, and couscous (for me, meat tagine for everyone else)
Then back to the hotel, drank some more and went to a somewhat seedy hotel bar/club where we drank expensive alcohol and danced.
The next day we took a tour of Fes and its Medina, which is the largest in all of Africa. It made Rabat seem so puny in comparison. Had lunch in the medina and it was absolutely delicious. Appetizers = olives and a bunch of various tapenades. My meal was couscous again, but it had flavor so it was great. After lunch we went to a shop that sold traditional clothing. We all tried various things on and most of the girls eventually bought "modern jellahbas" (we all wore them to dinner that night) They are just one piece of fabric and tie in the back then wrap under the legs to create a jacket like effect, so comfortable and you feel like royalty in it.
Drank again before dinner just because we could, dinner was awful at the hotel, bad food, bad experience but lunch was so great that I didn't care.
Back to Rabat this morning, hammam and homework. School tomorrow morning, Casablanca tomorrow night and Wednesday!
Friday, September 17, 2010
Why I Love Couscous Friday
1. I found a clean shirt in my drawer and I'm wearing it
2. I only had fruit and tea for breakfast
3. My host mom only put 1sugar brick in my tea this morning instead of the 5 that she normally uses
4. Couscous is delicious
5. It doesn't involve bread
6. The vegetables didn't taste like oil
7. I made my own mint tea after lunch
8. The tea I made only had half of a sugar brick instead of the 5 that my mom normally puts in the tea
9. Had more fruit at lunch
10. I got to watch my host sister eat almost half of the tagine/platter plus a lot of fruit and then pass out on the couch
and because I'm in such a great mood:
11. It's friday
12. I'm going to a syrian restaurant for dinner with friends, and tomorrow we are escaping Rabat!
2. I only had fruit and tea for breakfast
3. My host mom only put 1sugar brick in my tea this morning instead of the 5 that she normally uses
4. Couscous is delicious
5. It doesn't involve bread
6. The vegetables didn't taste like oil
7. I made my own mint tea after lunch
8. The tea I made only had half of a sugar brick instead of the 5 that my mom normally puts in the tea
9. Had more fruit at lunch
10. I got to watch my host sister eat almost half of the tagine/platter plus a lot of fruit and then pass out on the couch
and because I'm in such a great mood:
11. It's friday
12. I'm going to a syrian restaurant for dinner with friends, and tomorrow we are escaping Rabat!
The Little Things
Class ended early today
Got raw walnuts and dried apricots for an afternoon snack
Went to Rabat's "park"
Laughed, and complained (of course), with my friends
Went to belly dancing class, and showered (barefoot) at the "gym"
Missed dinner at my house and instead watched Remember Me at a friend's
Did my yoga, nice and sloooww, without worrying about the time
Went on a loooooong walk yesterday
Bought colored pencils
My host mom took my measurements to make me a traditional Moroccan outfit (she is a seamstress)
Elisa got my postcard
Almost made it through my first real week of classes!
I think tomorrow is couscous day, regardless it's Friday which means last day in Rabat until Monday
Got raw walnuts and dried apricots for an afternoon snack
Went to Rabat's "park"
Laughed, and complained (of course), with my friends
Went to belly dancing class, and showered (barefoot) at the "gym"
Missed dinner at my house and instead watched Remember Me at a friend's
Did my yoga, nice and sloooww, without worrying about the time
Went on a loooooong walk yesterday
Bought colored pencils
My host mom took my measurements to make me a traditional Moroccan outfit (she is a seamstress)
Elisa got my postcard
Almost made it through my first real week of classes!
I think tomorrow is couscous day, regardless it's Friday which means last day in Rabat until Monday
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
"Where the Sun Sets"
That's where I am. Al Magrehb, Morocco in Arabic translates to where the sun sets.....slightly reassuring when I question the beauty of this place, or my being here.
So yesterday.
Went to hang out the train station. It's so funny how my concept of clean and nice has changed since being here. Never in real life would I choose to go sit at a train station or airport to hang out. Word on the street was that they had fast internet connection, actual toilets and air conditioning....so we went.
WiFi didn't work but our internet sticks did, we got hummus and used the bathroom (though there wasn't any toilet paper, good thing I carry around tissues).
Stopped at home briefly, and had dessert/snack of cookies and tea. Then left to meet up with friends to go OUT OUT for birthday celebrations. We went to Agdal, a less conservative suburb and managed to find a Tapas bar that served alcohol. I didn't eat but I did get beer and got to watch a soccer game. One of the birthday boys bought everyone a shot of tequila (it was his 21st) so that was pretty awesome.
Sucked knowing that I had to return to my Muslim family. Of course when I did get home (around 1130) they were just finishing dinner and they made me eat....spaghetti with marinara sauce suuuuuper exciting NOT
Then the family went to bed and I stayed up and wrote in my journal and read....ya for quiet time
Today my youngest sister started school at 8, so only the older one was there to watch me eat breakfast...I managed to sneak some almond butter on my Raif and put banana on it....almost healthy
I've been getting nuts, freshly roasted on the street. The healthiest thing I've been eating I think....yea for natural protein!
Today at lunch we had lentils and cauliflower (among other things)...it was awesome and delicious (ya for brahim our chef here at the center)
So yesterday.
Went to hang out the train station. It's so funny how my concept of clean and nice has changed since being here. Never in real life would I choose to go sit at a train station or airport to hang out. Word on the street was that they had fast internet connection, actual toilets and air conditioning....so we went.
WiFi didn't work but our internet sticks did, we got hummus and used the bathroom (though there wasn't any toilet paper, good thing I carry around tissues).
Stopped at home briefly, and had dessert/snack of cookies and tea. Then left to meet up with friends to go OUT OUT for birthday celebrations. We went to Agdal, a less conservative suburb and managed to find a Tapas bar that served alcohol. I didn't eat but I did get beer and got to watch a soccer game. One of the birthday boys bought everyone a shot of tequila (it was his 21st) so that was pretty awesome.
Sucked knowing that I had to return to my Muslim family. Of course when I did get home (around 1130) they were just finishing dinner and they made me eat....spaghetti with marinara sauce suuuuuper exciting NOT
Then the family went to bed and I stayed up and wrote in my journal and read....ya for quiet time
Today my youngest sister started school at 8, so only the older one was there to watch me eat breakfast...I managed to sneak some almond butter on my Raif and put banana on it....almost healthy
I've been getting nuts, freshly roasted on the street. The healthiest thing I've been eating I think....yea for natural protein!
Today at lunch we had lentils and cauliflower (among other things)...it was awesome and delicious (ya for brahim our chef here at the center)
Monday, September 13, 2010
Sugar and Spice and Nothing nice
Sorry weird html stuff on last few posts.....my internet wasn't working so I saved it all in word and then it wouldn't let me post it without them
So a few days behind because of shitty internet but think I'm finally catching up.
My pictures should be updated, check them out
I think I'm slowly becoming addicted to this blog thing, I'm beginning to think about what I want to say, and these past few days without access to it have been rough, what will I do when I'm no longer traveling and blogging is not acceptable!
My midnight dinner last night consisted of a little salad made of beets (ya!) carrots and potatoes and of course LOTS OF OIL (not ya). a huge communal plate of greasy, peppery green beans and potatoes, bread and fruit.
The seasonings here are salt, pepper, sugar and oil. Sometimes honey
Today at school we performed our skits and then had a cooking class/presentation. Douha (the host family coordinator) made sweet couscous. Ingredients were oil, sugar, honey, salt, pepper, cinnamon and a little ginger. Basically tasted like everything else. If I was not sick of sweets I probably would have enjoyed it.
Managed to resist breakfast this morning and only had some fruit and a Lara Bar. And of course mint tea
Felt kind of rude saying no to the cookies and bread, but hey you gotta do what you gotta do
So a few days behind because of shitty internet but think I'm finally catching up.
My pictures should be updated, check them out
I think I'm slowly becoming addicted to this blog thing, I'm beginning to think about what I want to say, and these past few days without access to it have been rough, what will I do when I'm no longer traveling and blogging is not acceptable!
My midnight dinner last night consisted of a little salad made of beets (ya!) carrots and potatoes and of course LOTS OF OIL (not ya). a huge communal plate of greasy, peppery green beans and potatoes, bread and fruit.
The seasonings here are salt, pepper, sugar and oil. Sometimes honey
Managed to resist breakfast this morning and only had some fruit and a Lara Bar. And of course mint tea
Felt kind of rude saying no to the cookies and bread, but hey you gotta do what you gotta do
SOsickofRaif
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Breakfast of cake and cookies….this is getting boring, the potential of good food is ridiculous yet I have yet to be fully satisfied with a meal (nutrition, health and taste wise). I know I complain but I think we all know how important good food is for me.
Today was my host mom’s birthday, so when I was shopping I bought her a cute little scarf to wear on her head, and I found some soap in my luggage that I forgot to give her originally.
I was gone all day, walking around, shopping but when I got home tonight I gave it to her and she was super happy.
Bought a basil plant today to put on the roof terrace of my house, but when I asked if I could I was told no, so now it’s sitting in our tiny hallway…..at least its pretty and smells good.
Went to the beach today, on the way there we ran into this guy who we see all the time with beautiful dreads. Started ttalking to him, he came and sat with us and we chatted some more. I told him I liked his dreads, and he told me he was a hairdresser and would give me one. So now I have one dread, its cute, I like it.
Made a little skit with other girls in my class for Arabic tomorrow, that will be interesting. We tried to be funny, but I don’t think we are advanced enough to joke in a foreign language.
Talked to other people in my group, it seems we all have similar sentiments about the food, so much potential yet….nothing. Limited spice, variety etc.
I hear things happening in the kitchen, it’s midnight….please no more food!
But wait……I’m being served and FRUIT IS APPEARING!!! AND UNCOOKED VEGETABLES oh emm geee, there may be light at the end of this tunnel!
Aid Al Fitr (The First day after Ramadan)
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Friday morning, woke up to a breakfast of multiple types of cookies, bread, jam, honey, and tea. After my mom made me drink an entire teapot of the sweetest mint tea I have ever had I walked around with my littlest host sister. She took me on a “tour” of Rabat, I bought her a $6 ice cream (which is REALLY expensive here) and we ran through the streets. Back home where of course MORE food was waiting for us (this time couscous with vegetables, which I keenly observed were not cooked with meat YAHOO).
This day (slash weekend) deserves it’s own post. So much to say! (pictures to follow…hopefully)
So Thursday was the last day of Ramadan, but no one knows until the night when they look for the moon. If the cresent is seen that means Ramadan is over. During ftour on thrusday night an announcement came on the TV, which is essentially never off, saying that Ramadan was over!
For ftour that night we had typical ftour food AND dinner all at once, because, accordning to my host mom, I don’t eat anything and I’m never there for dinner, So basically a lot of food was eaten.
Some friends came over after ftour/diinner (mine not theirs) and we all went to get henna done.
Got it on one foot, and one hand. It was an all night affair since six of us got it. It was expensive (according to my host family) but worth it.
Then walked around with my friends, barefoot at first so as not to mess up our henna….so grimy.
Went to hear live music at McDonalds, yes that’s right, live music at McDonalds.
Then I packed up my stuff and went to meet friends for our evening getaway to a town called Haroura, where a girl in my program had booked a house for us to spend the night.
Unfortunately the house was only for 16 people and thirty people came so there was a little drama and a lot of uncomfortableness but luckily people found another house and everyone got to stay.
The house overlooked the water and it was so nice to be in a place and only speak in English. Unfortunately since it was a holiday almost everything was closed and it was really difficult to get food and impossible to get alcohol, which was a part of the point of going away (and there were real showers).
We did manage to get hash though and I smoked my first joint of hasish in Morocco! It was awesome.
We all watched Titanic 2 on someone’s computer (which I suggest NEVER watching) and then to bed. Woke up this morning and explored the rocks a little, then took a bus back to Rabat. From Rabat we took a taxi to Agdal, a more modern part/suburb of Rabat, to try to a place to eat…..got a “salad” that would have been good had it not been covered in a weird milky dressing and actually consisted of lettuce.
Then I went to the Hassan Tour, which is an old Mosque that was never finished and is beautiful in it’s incompleteness. We (Anna, Drew, Adelaide, Jonah and I) then decided that it was time for an afternoon cocktail so we went to a ritzy hotel, sat on the rooftop terrace by the pool and ordered our first alcoholic beverages in Morocco, which went straight to our heads….success.
After finishing our drinks we grudgingly walked slowly to our respective homes where English is not spoken, and alcohol is not okay.
I, of course, was met with a table of cookies, bread and tea……I really hope that was diinner and not just an early evening snack.
Tonight I’m going to see a jet ski competition (which is apparently a really big deal here)
Friday, September 10, 2010
"Germs"
At dinner every night we eat off the table....
Everyone touches every type of food before choosing what they want
We all share a communal dish, but must respect our "zones"
A lot of people don't have toilet paper in their bathrooms....we think hands are used
Can't wait for my stomach to get adjusted here so I can eat all the street food that is touched by everyone and everything but looks and smells oh so delicious
oh forgot about the communal water cups at dinner, at cafes, restaurants etc......tepid water shared with everyone at the table yum
walked through the medina (not the cleanest place) with only one shoe on tonight after getting hennadone on my foot.
Since I was so daring with that I got fresh popped popcorn from a random guy in the market on my way home
Slept with my host family's sheets, pillow and pillowcase (kind of a big deal for me)
oh how the limits are being pushed, but hey when in rome....
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Discovered a Rooftop Terrace
and I don't even have to enter my house to get there. I've got BIG plans to buy some plants, make a little garden, buy some rugs and pillows and scarves and make a nice little space up there. My "friends" and I are pretty excited about it's potential, considering it will give us a place to sit and use internet and talk english so we don't have to wander around aimlessly during the day.
Just watched a flock of beautiful white birds (probably sea gulls and in that case not that beautiful) flying across the brillant blue sky in a V........
Ramadan is coming to a close, we're all tired of it and we've only been here a week I can only imagine how Moroccans feel. Almost done with my first "week" of class (no school tomorrow or friday because of the last nights of Ramadan). Should be interesting to see how that is celebrated....probably lots of cakes, cookies, bread, and meat, yummm
Ya for the four day weekend! maybe a short excursion with some pals, or we may spring for a hotel room in rabat with a shower, toilet and A BAR!!!!
Just watched a flock of beautiful white birds (probably sea gulls and in that case not that beautiful) flying across the brillant blue sky in a V........
Ramadan is coming to a close, we're all tired of it and we've only been here a week I can only imagine how Moroccans feel. Almost done with my first "week" of class (no school tomorrow or friday because of the last nights of Ramadan). Should be interesting to see how that is celebrated....probably lots of cakes, cookies, bread, and meat, yummm
Ya for the four day weekend! maybe a short excursion with some pals, or we may spring for a hotel room in rabat with a shower, toilet and A BAR!!!!
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
My Host Sister got her period for the first time....
...maybe a little too much information, but it's kind of a big deal here tonight. I tried to offer her advil but was shut down, oh well I guess not all of us rely on modern medicine.
Spent the majority of the night eating (of course) and reading for class tomorrow....found my book online so lots of computer time tonight, youngest sister was not so happy (she asked me every five minutes if I was done yet, which I was not, and still am not)
Got to watch the King pray on TV tonight, really exciting stuff.
Today a few girls in my arabic class and me bought our teacher the bootleg version of inception because he told us how much he loves movies and has been waiting to watch that one....we're all really excited to give it to him tomorrow
well its getting late here, My stomach is aching.....and I have to wake up super early if I want some me time before leaving for class tomorrow
two posts in one day....look at me go
Spent the majority of the night eating (of course) and reading for class tomorrow....found my book online so lots of computer time tonight, youngest sister was not so happy (she asked me every five minutes if I was done yet, which I was not, and still am not)
Got to watch the King pray on TV tonight, really exciting stuff.
Today a few girls in my arabic class and me bought our teacher the bootleg version of inception because he told us how much he loves movies and has been waiting to watch that one....we're all really excited to give it to him tomorrow
well its getting late here, My stomach is aching.....and I have to wake up super early if I want some me time before leaving for class tomorrow
two posts in one day....look at me go
Monday, September 6, 2010
I Did my Yogaa....Twice!!!
Success! Granted I did have to wake up at 9 am and then 730 am to do it but i did it and its done......so now maybe I'll have a little routine maybe in the mornings before class, hello 7:30.
School, has started. Three hours of Arabic EVERY SINGLE MORNING, then lunch, then two hours of seminar. All are interesting, but LONG and tiring.
Today was a special day of Ramadan....similar to Yom Kippour. It's called the night/day of destiny and it is when the heavens are open and you can ask allah for anything (within reason) and even try some magic!
I'm asking for Amiel time, and a smoother transition into these massive lifestyle changes
Tonight I'm not going out with other SIT students, I'm staying in, doing my homework and hanging with the fam. So far we've done our make up, played cards and helped mom make dinner....the night is young so we'll see what else happens, maybe a shakira dance party again later?
School, has started. Three hours of Arabic EVERY SINGLE MORNING, then lunch, then two hours of seminar. All are interesting, but LONG and tiring.
Today was a special day of Ramadan....similar to Yom Kippour. It's called the night/day of destiny and it is when the heavens are open and you can ask allah for anything (within reason) and even try some magic!
I'm asking for Amiel time, and a smoother transition into these massive lifestyle changes
Tonight I'm not going out with other SIT students, I'm staying in, doing my homework and hanging with the fam. So far we've done our make up, played cards and helped mom make dinner....the night is young so we'll see what else happens, maybe a shakira dance party again later?
Sunday, September 5, 2010
La Suite de l'histoire d'Amelie
To continue a description of my "typical" day here....I've been trying to escape my house. As terrible as that sounds, its hard to live not only in someone else's space but to live in such a TINY space that is someone else's. My family is really sweet, and my host mom has been trying to go out of her way to make food that I can eat but having to think and talk in French and play with the girls is very tiring and it's nice to get away. Saturday (yesterday) I walked around all afternoon with five other girls on my program through the sook (market) in the medina (old city, where we all live). It was SO hot out so we walked to a supermarket to enjoy the limited air conditioning it provided. We also managed to sneak big gulps of ice cold water there, which was extra refreshing not only because it is "forbidden" (aka looked down upon to openly drink or eat in the streets during Ramadan) but because it was SO DAMN HOT!
Then we all came back to my house and watched Step Up 3D, in french, on my laptop with my host sisters (thought of you Hannah Dauber). They left to have Ftour with their host families, and I had it with mine. My host mom made special mini pita pocket like sandwiches with just veggies in it for me, they were very good!
Speaking of good food, a little side note, she made cous cous two nights ago that was absolutely delicious.
Back to my day yesterday. So after Ftour, I took a quick bucket body shower and went to meet people to go to a soccer game, Morocco vs. Central African Republic. Both teams were awful but the environment was was great, people cheering and chanting and dancing with drums. It was also a nice change from strolling along Mohammad V and getting tea.
Jonas--you would love the amount of ants that crawl over every surface in my house, I learned the world for them in Durija, but now I can't remember.
Yesterday I attempted to "faire Ramadan" or fast. I didn't eat anything but considering the heat, and my addiction to water I drank. I told my host mom and she told me I did not do it because I drank, I think that I did pretty damn good.
Hopefully going to the beach today, where I will be extra scandalous in a bikini/bra.
Then we all came back to my house and watched Step Up 3D, in french, on my laptop with my host sisters (thought of you Hannah Dauber). They left to have Ftour with their host families, and I had it with mine. My host mom made special mini pita pocket like sandwiches with just veggies in it for me, they were very good!
Speaking of good food, a little side note, she made cous cous two nights ago that was absolutely delicious.
Back to my day yesterday. So after Ftour, I took a quick bucket body shower and went to meet people to go to a soccer game, Morocco vs. Central African Republic. Both teams were awful but the environment was was great, people cheering and chanting and dancing with drums. It was also a nice change from strolling along Mohammad V and getting tea.
Jonas--you would love the amount of ants that crawl over every surface in my house, I learned the world for them in Durija, but now I can't remember.
Yesterday I attempted to "faire Ramadan" or fast. I didn't eat anything but considering the heat, and my addiction to water I drank. I told my host mom and she told me I did not do it because I drank, I think that I did pretty damn good.
Hopefully going to the beach today, where I will be extra scandalous in a bikini/bra.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Ameilie
My name I think for the next few months. Got my homestay thursday, oy vey.
So I have a mom and two little sisters who are 12 and 10. I am currently sitting in their living room and relishing these few peaceful moments. We all share one bedroom and besides the living room and bedroom (which are attached) there is a very small kitchen/bathroom. The first day was really hard, I felt so out of my element, they only speak french and Durija (Moroccan Arabic), and there was no where for me to go to be alone.....except maybe the bathroom which is tiny and turkish so really not somewhere one would want to spend extra time.
After putting my stuff down and unpacking a little the mom gives me a little pita bread stuffed with some sort of meat and eggs, which of course i felt obligated to eat. Its Ramadan so we didn't eat again until Ftour, which is what the break fast is called. That included a hard boiled egg, a thick meat based soup, a creamy smoothie sort of drink, and fish. And of course LOTS of bread like things.
I managed to articulate that I didn't eat fish or meat so she fried me some eggplant as well. After eating that while watching soap operas and the biggest loser on TV the girls wanted to play. We played dress up, had a Shakira dance party, and played hide and seek (in the exact same three spots) until midnight when we had "dinner" which included more bread, a little cucumber salad and a carroty stew/ carrots with grease. Good bye Amiel, the reclusive vegan, Hello Amelie the meat ( and dairy) eating babysittter!
Needless to say, my stomach was not so happy that night or the next day and I paid my first visit to the Turkish toilet.
So I have a mom and two little sisters who are 12 and 10. I am currently sitting in their living room and relishing these few peaceful moments. We all share one bedroom and besides the living room and bedroom (which are attached) there is a very small kitchen/bathroom. The first day was really hard, I felt so out of my element, they only speak french and Durija (Moroccan Arabic), and there was no where for me to go to be alone.....except maybe the bathroom which is tiny and turkish so really not somewhere one would want to spend extra time.
After putting my stuff down and unpacking a little the mom gives me a little pita bread stuffed with some sort of meat and eggs, which of course i felt obligated to eat. Its Ramadan so we didn't eat again until Ftour, which is what the break fast is called. That included a hard boiled egg, a thick meat based soup, a creamy smoothie sort of drink, and fish. And of course LOTS of bread like things.
I managed to articulate that I didn't eat fish or meat so she fried me some eggplant as well. After eating that while watching soap operas and the biggest loser on TV the girls wanted to play. We played dress up, had a Shakira dance party, and played hide and seek (in the exact same three spots) until midnight when we had "dinner" which included more bread, a little cucumber salad and a carroty stew/ carrots with grease. Good bye Amiel, the reclusive vegan, Hello Amelie the meat ( and dairy) eating babysittter!
Needless to say, my stomach was not so happy that night or the next day and I paid my first visit to the Turkish toilet.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Salam Alehkum
.....meaning, hello, again. My biggest achievement today in Survival Arabic 101. I've also gotten down, Smiti Amiel (my name is Amiel). I went to carnival tonight but the river here in Rabat and shared a ride with a girl on my program and a random little Moroccan girl and I successfully asked her her name and told her mine before she got totally freaked out by me.....I was very proud of myself.
So my arabic class is going to be great I think. My teacher's name is Babdrine, but he told us we can call him Pedro if we want. He is really cute and nice and pronounces everything wonderfully for us beginners. My class is eight other girls who know as little as I do!
It's Ramadan, as I mentioned before and everything is kind of backwards. Nothing is really open during the day, but at night it's bumping. I went with a big group tonight down the river where there is a mini carnival going n and lots of people being wild in the streets. Rode two rides, talked to a little child in Moroccan Arabic and wandered through new parts of the medina and city.....very exciting.
During the day today, after arabic class (which I will have from now on for three hours everyday starting at 8:30 am!) We talked with the housing director who told us about the homestay process (we meet our familiies tomorrow...eek!!) and listened to other teachers talk about program rules and schedule etc.
Had a little more free time today and I wandered around with some kids I have to do a mini info project with about banks and money exchange etc.
Then we broke the fast at the CCCL (center for cross cultutral learning)......figs, dates, a little milk, lentil soup that tasted a little like pasta figoli, a spanikopita looking dish and fruit and these delicious sesame cookies that are soaked in honey/oil.
very heavy, but very good
my computer is dying, i'm exhausted and i have a very early morning tomorrow (7:30 breakfast)
I'll try to post some pictures soon....peace
So my arabic class is going to be great I think. My teacher's name is Babdrine, but he told us we can call him Pedro if we want. He is really cute and nice and pronounces everything wonderfully for us beginners. My class is eight other girls who know as little as I do!
It's Ramadan, as I mentioned before and everything is kind of backwards. Nothing is really open during the day, but at night it's bumping. I went with a big group tonight down the river where there is a mini carnival going n and lots of people being wild in the streets. Rode two rides, talked to a little child in Moroccan Arabic and wandered through new parts of the medina and city.....very exciting.
During the day today, after arabic class (which I will have from now on for three hours everyday starting at 8:30 am!) We talked with the housing director who told us about the homestay process (we meet our familiies tomorrow...eek!!) and listened to other teachers talk about program rules and schedule etc.
Had a little more free time today and I wandered around with some kids I have to do a mini info project with about banks and money exchange etc.
Then we broke the fast at the CCCL (center for cross cultutral learning)......figs, dates, a little milk, lentil soup that tasted a little like pasta figoli, a spanikopita looking dish and fruit and these delicious sesame cookies that are soaked in honey/oil.
very heavy, but very good
my computer is dying, i'm exhausted and i have a very early morning tomorrow (7:30 breakfast)
I'll try to post some pictures soon....peace
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