Falling in love

My day began as I jolted awake, looked at my watch, and realized that it was 8:30 when we had planned to meet for breakfast and anhour after our alarm had been set for. My roommate and I jumped up and got ready in record time beforeheading to our breakfast of mini pastries, bread, jams, sliced cucumber?, and perhaps the best orange juice I have ever tasted. The group, 13 of us total, walked to the AMIDEAST offices together, about a 30 minute walk. We had some very helpful orientation workshops. Thus far the AMIDEAST staff are all very welcoming, kind, and super informative. Awesome!

We had a short break

in the middleof the sessions for traditional Moroccan tea and small treats. Moroccan tea is minty and probably more sugar than water but wonderfully delicious. Mmm. We then boardeda bus, and when I say bus I mean a stumpy European-esque van. We drove a bit around Rabat but mostly focused on 3 stops, one to Chellah, Oulja, and Loudaya. Chellah is a necropolis and complex of ancient Roman and medieval ruins in Rabat, and also quite breathtaking. We spotted ornate designs in the ruins, ginormous stork nests (with storks in them), what wasleft of a mosque, many cats,saint houses, and a grave dating back to the 1300's! The Oulja was a store with anything from Moroccan rugs, to slippers, furniture, and books.

We ended our tour at the Loudaya which is the old area of the city surrounded by a large red wall. There were tons of Moroccans millin

g around. We think we spotted a famous Moroccan woman wearing a fedora and surrounded by body guards. Also I was informed that a lot of young couples in secret relationships go there to escape their families since most live at home until they are married. This area was beautiful, some greenery, narrow alleyways painted blue, a

nd a beautiful lookout over the ocean.

I stood there with the wind lightly lifting my hair and realized I am going to fall in love with this place. I am already falling in love with Morocco.