I have finally made it to Morocco and am writing this from the computer lab in my language school where I will be for the next 10 days learning the basics of Moroccan Colloquial Arabic. All of my flights went very well, I even randomly met up with a friend, Elena, at the JFK airport. She is going to Turkey on exchange and we both needed the extra last-minute support and a glass of wine before heading off into our respective unknowns. I arrived to Casablanca around 8 am Morocco time Sunday morning (which is 8 hours ahead of west coast time). I left Seattle around 6:30 am on Saturday. After killing time wandering the Casablanca airport and drinking some cafe, I got on my 40 minute flight to Fes. Morocco is very green and fairly flat. They get a lot of rain I guess (I'm more at home here than I am in Southern California!).
After decompressing at the hotel for a bit, I ventured out into Fes for some internet and a snack. I am staying in the Ville Nouvelle (new city) where the ALIF (Arabic Language Institute in Fes) is located. I will meet my homestay family later today and will continue to live in the ville nouvelle but plan on exploring the old city as much as possible. Alex, the other Pitzer student I am on exchange with, arrived late last night. It is very reassuring to know someone here already. Also, this morning, we ran into a former Pitzer graduate on a Fulbright Scholarship to Morocco, Rachel. She has been in Fes for almost 5 months and taking classes at ALIF.
It is fairly cold here, maybe in the 40s. I have been able to use my French for the most part but I still have plenty of room for improvement. There is very little English. However, most people speak both Moroccan Arabic and French fluently. Even though I am learning Moroccan Arabic for the next 10 days and will be taking Arabic at Al-Akhawayn, I hope to become much more proficient in
French during my time in Morocco.
My love goes out to everyone and HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!
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I'm glad you made it safely, Christine! Have a great time! Kelly
ReplyDeleteHey I heard of AKU, they were ranked # 3 in the country last year for their Three legged sand racing team! just kidding have fun. UB
ReplyDelete(uncle Bill)
Good news and it looks like you are off to a good start! I bet it was nice to see a familiar faace from home.
ReplyDeleteTake care and have fun,
Aunt Vicki
Glad to hear you are there fine. Let the adventure begin.
ReplyDeleteLove Uncle Bud
Christine:
ReplyDeleteHey- what's up! I am excited to tell you Nooch and I will in Seattle July 11th-16th. Your Mom tells me you will home by then!
Also, before I forget;
Danielle will be in Spain:
June 20-22: Madrid
June 23 Segovia
June 24 Bilbao
June 25 San Sebastian
June 26: Pamplona/Barcelona
June 27-30 Barcelona
It would be great if you two could hook up, although she is with her high school chaperones!
Love,
Aunt Vicki
Christine,
ReplyDeleteHave now bookmarked to keep track of you. Have a fabulous time, learn lots, but most importantly have fun! Love, Wittman
linda and I will be in seattle mid august! see you then ub and linda
ReplyDeleteChristine, I am visiting Terry in Phoenix. I look forward to learning more about your trip. Terry is doing well. We are putting pavers around her pool.
ReplyDelete