Last weekend, Alex and I trekked to Casablanca, which is a one hour grand-taxi ride to Meknes and then a 4 and half hour train ride away. Traveling throughout Morocco is incredibly inexpensive but just not very efficient. Once in Casa, we met up with her roommate Salma and her husband. We ate a delicious dinner at Salma's parents house, which included sheep's brains (which has the consistency of flan and a very punchy flavor) in a tomato sauce, then went back to their apartment. Saturday morning, we visited Hassan II mosque (the largest mosque in Africa) but missed to tour time so were unable to go inside. In Morocco, non-muslims are rarely allowed inside mosques so I was bummed that I missed my chance, especially since we just finished the mosque unit in Islamic Art and Architecture. We then ate a delicious lunch at Kalim's (the husband) parents house. Another infinitely delicious meal. After lunch, we went shopping for a long, long, long time. Casablanca is the place in Morocco to go clothes shopping. Thankfully, I kept it light on the clothes and heavy on the shopping snacks, escargot from a street vendor (they are boiled in an spiced broth and referred to as the Moroccan aphrodesiac- very appropriate for Valentine's Day) and a perfect lemon meringue pastry. To celebrate valentine's day, we went out to one of Casa's infamous nightclubs complete with live music covering of all of the best American love songs (in a Moroccan accent).
Alex and I sharing some V-Day wine
It was great but was a late night, especially since we had to get up early to pack in a fancy breakfast (a tagine omelet), grocery shopping in supermarkets and the traditional market and driving through the old medina. I sampled the best olives I have ever had in my life, cactus fruits, and replenished my almond stash. Alex and I caught a 6 hour bus ride back, which wandered through the rolling, green hills back to Ifrane. The countryside is so beautiful and slightly resembles Northern California but less trees and instead of passing massive industrial farms, you see sheep herders and stone compounds about every half hour.
After basically eating and speaking French the whole weekend, Monday was a rough day full of class, indigestion, and way too much homework and sleep to catch up on. The snow has almost completely melted and the grass has finally emerged. Right now it is hailing and we had a minor thunderstorm this week but just as long as the snow stays far away.
I have reached the point where I can go into the dining hall without making plans to eat with anyone and find at least a couple of friends (non-exchange) to eat with. Manele and I are also getting close too. Last night, we were up till 2 am. My French is getting a lot better and I find myself speaking French when I think Im speaking English. I understand about 75% of the conversation but still have problems communicated complicated thoughts. The process is slow but at least I feel like Im getting somewhere. This weekend, Im off to Meknes and to see the Roman ruins at Volubilis. Then next weekend its spring break!! and then mid-terms.
I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH AND MISS YOU TONS AND TONS.
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