LOCATION: MOROCCO!
THURSDAY: This morning arriving at the port in Morocco, was definitely not the prettiest sight. The only place they had for us to dock is in a huge industrial shipping area. The walk out of the port from the ship is a good 15 minutes, so SAS has provided a shuttle bus to take us back and forth. From the deck coming in we could see the mosque (the tallest mosque in the world) however, it was blocked a great deal by cranes and huge ships.

What a culture shock!!!. It was pretty crappy out and its drizzling so we weren't to keen on staying out long. We left around 10 i think, and after taking the shuttle bus out of the port, we made our way to the mosque. This was a little difficult as all the locals and taxi drivers and others hang out at the port entrance waiting for tourists come in. The other people who are out there are those getting in the morning shipment of sardines (biggest export of sardines in the world) so it smelled like dead fish as soon as we got off the boat and all the way into town, We got asked like 5 times if we needed a taxi or if we wanted someone to show us around and take us to the mosque. We were warned about this, people seem like their being helpful and then at the end charge you a crazy price for their service. We had a 10-15 minute walk to the mosque seeing the craziest sights. Tons of people were bombing around on mopeds and those bikes that have a motor. Some with huge carts attached to the front and some with trailers behind. When we got to the mosque though, it was beautiful. It was a huge plaza that is used for prayer, and also a humongous palace with amazing art and shapes and colors. On our way out of the mosque we saw a woman on the sidewalk, who made a fire, and had some sort of bird that she was picking apart and cooking.... only in morocco! After that we walked towards Medina which is a market place with tons of shops that sold tons of knockoffs. We saw people selling lacoste, polo, dolce and cabana, and tons of other little things. Other shops had weird little shoes, hookahs, tons of leather stuff and other knickknacks that were pretty cool. I think things will be better in Marrakesh, because its a bigger tourist place, so i'm waiting to buy stuff there. By the time we made it through some of medina we were hungry. The problem is that with Ramadan, nothing is open because they fast during the day. So we decided to go back to the ship for a free lunch. Unfortunately the shuttle that was supposed to pick us up never showed, so we had to walk 15 minutes back to the ship in the rain and missed lunch. Instead we went up to the pool deck and got some food at the grill.

After getting back to the ship earlier, we all had a really negative perspective on Morocco because of the initial culture shock. Its really a crazy feeling to be REALLY out of your comfort zone and placed in surroundings that you've never even knew existed. As we all had dinner on the ship we decided to go back out with a better out look and get passed all the stuff that made us uneasy. So at 8 we got a shuttle to the port entrance and started walking towards Rick's Cafe. (look it up online!) Its a really famous restaurant because it was a setting for the old movie casablanca. It was really cool, even though i've never seen the movie. On the way there we met up with another group of people, one guy and two girls, one of which goes to unh. We all went in together and got a big table to get some drinks and talk and relax. It was a big relief that it was so nice and we could all be at ease there. Three girls and I split a half bottle of red wine, we told the waiter to bring whatever he thought was the best. The boys got some Casablanca beer and ordered a couple of cigars too! After, Missy and I split a brownie sundae that was very very tasty. On our way out we saw a bunch of other students and teachers having some drinks together, which i think is pretty cool! We got back with no problem even though we missed the last shuttle and had to walk all the way to the ship again. Over all we all had a good time, and became a little more comfortable in new and strange situations. Also, did i mention we saw a car crash on our way to the souks (shops)! Not that exciting, but a car t-boned a taxi, must be normal cause they weren't that mad. Someone told us that the bus tour they were on this morning hit another car!! Soooo crazy!

FRIDAY: This morning at 8 AM we left Casablanca en route to Marrakech. The bus ride was a pretty long 4 and a half hours, but we did make a stop for bathrooms. On our way out of town, we made our way through the palm trees, slums, and dried up rivers. The scenery is amazing, everywhere I look are flat plains that stretch all the way to the mountains in the distance, with tiny shacks they call houses, and shepherds herding their sheep. Finally we made it to the place we were eating lunch. We entered finding that we had the whole place to ourselves. On the inside it looked like a huge palace, there were couches along all of the walls, and the ceilings had amazing details. We sat down to our second bottle of Moroccan wine and waited for the food to come. First came bread, and then came a huge platter of all sorts of food. There were all sorts of beans, some kind of salsa, and a really nasty looking/tasting meat mush. I have no idea what we were eating half the time, but we all put a little of each on our plate and soaked it all up with bread. In between this “salad” and the main course we had little in between meal. The next dish called “somosa” are chicken, meat balls, and cheese, all fried in a flakey dough, it was amazing. The main course came out looking like a volcano of food. On the outside it was cous cous and all sorts of steamed veggies, and on the inside beef and meat still steaming from being kept hot in the cous cous. When we thought we couldn’t eat anymore they came out with fruits and cookies for dessert.

From the restaurant we traveled to go ride camels! We hung out for a little while at the place while our heads were wrapped with a turban. While we waited for the first group to get on and take off on their camels, we played with the cutest little puppy. Our half of the group got in vans and drove to a Berber village where we were expected for tea. We all sat down in a huge room with cushions all over the floor where we were served steaming mint tea, and pastries.  We had a performance by a few of the men in the village, who played the drums, and a banjo looking guitar. The other group riding camels arrived shortly after so we could switch up and get a camel ride back. The scariest part was being on the camel when it goes to stand up! You think your definitely going to go head over heels over its head, or tumble backwards. Once up though, it was so cool! A bunch of people complained of the camel behind them biting their leg, but my guy rested his head on my thigh the entire way as I pet his head. We were taken though the Berber village, across the desert scattered with palm trees. We saw other kids getting four wheel tours covered mud, tons of goats, and the cutest children who all waved to us from below. One of the kids made a camel from a piece of straw and gave it to a girl behind me. Our parade of camels sang Disney songs the entire way and tried to teach our guide a little something; in return, we attempted to pick up a little tune from him.

We all slept on the hour bus ride to the Hotel Opera where it took forever to check in 100 of us students. We had some much needed time to relax a little, skype, and wander around the city a little bit. We had dinner at 8 and I happily stayed in for the night while everyone went out to find out what nightlife was like in Marrakech.

SATURDAY: We started with another early morning of tours all around Marrakech. We began the day at the Koutoubia Mosque, but everyone was more interested in the tons of stray cats roaming the area. We hopped back on the bus headed to the Saadian Tombs. Here lay members of the Saadi dynasty whom was send to be descendants from Muhammad himself. The gardens surrounding the building were beautiful. It was a rough visit however with the number of tour groups walking through, in addition to the heat. After this we went to a government run market place that was all within one building. It was packed with absolutely everything! I was able to find a camel Christmas tree decoration and a few little things with the 100 dirham I had. From there, we were all excited to sit down and have lunch. Once again we had the same meal structure that we had enjoyed yesterday.

From lunch our last stop was the Medina in which, as a group of 40, we made our way through the maze of soukes, people, trash carts, delivery carts, and mopeds always beeping behind or in front of us. Deep into the maze we were brought to a traditional Berber  pharmacy. In a big room, with all for walls decorated with jars of every color, we were given an overview of different spices and herbs that were used for everything from….. We were able to smell and test each of the remedies that we were taught about. It was such a cool experience! After this, we were given free time, in which will walked around in small groups discovering the hidden treasures in each shop. I came out very successful in buying a beautiful scarf that I was able to barter down to 100 dirham. This in US dollar is $12.50. I believe that’s all I came home with that day. The medina was the coolest thing ever. From orange juice vending carts, food vendors, and performers who are either charming snakes, or trying to through a monkey on your shoulder in hopes that a friend will take a picture that they can charge you for. By this time, it was certainly time for a quick nap back at the hotel before dinner and a show. The place we went to, Chiz Ali, and I don’t even know how to begin describing it. When we came into the area where the performance takes place, we we're greeted by probably 15 men on horses on either side of us. Nobody really knew what to make of that, but it was pretty cool. When we entered the building and walked through halls to the stage area, we were serenaded with live music, belly dancers, some women making weird singing-ish sounds. We we're escorted into the eating area where people were having full meals, but our entry only included one drink. Anyway, after I split a bottle of wine with a couple people we hung out while dancers and signers and funny men played music. Before the show started we took our seats around the huge out door ring. While we were waiting a man was walking around with a camel, one of the guys hopped on and got a ride, which was pretty funny. During the performance we saw everything from fire breathers, acrobats on horses that were galloping super fast, more guys playing with fire, a belly dancer, and fire works. The whole thing was pretty cool, i had no idea what to expect, but it was fun!

SUNDAY: This night, I had my dinner with a Moroccan family that I was reealllly looking forward. In all the experience was amazing! I was in a group of 8 people, 1 boy, 1 70-year-old life long learner, and 6 girls. We were picked up on the ship by the mother of the family and taken off to meet the rest. I don't remember their names, but it was 2 boys (8,13) and the dad, and a friend of the family who spoke English. The kids are currently at an American school called George Washington Academy, which is taught all in English, so they helped as translators. We all pilled into 2 cars, 7 in each! I didn't know what to expect while driving out of the city, but the little boy told me it was a really nice part of Casablanca. We pulled into a gated community with gorgeous split family home.  The street looked like it could be in California with palm trees and pretty architecture. We were greeted at the front door by grandma and ushered into their make shift dining room. The had just moved in a few months ago and were doing work on the big rooms in the house. The table was set for 12 and as soon as we sat down food poured out of the kitchen. We started with a traditional Moroccan soup that tastes like tomato and veggies, but was sooooo good. Women kept coming in and out of the room with so many plates of food that we soon couldn't fit any more and had some stacked double high! At first I thought that these women were her sisters or something and had helped her cook, but it turns out, when I went down into the basement they have a whole nother kitchen where the maids prepared the food and had a little room to them selves. I have a hard time trying to explain the food we ate to you because there was a little of everything, and some of it I have no idea what I was eating. In morocco, pastries are really popular and they had probably 10 different kinds, some stuffed with sweets and some stuffed with meats. There were egg roll type thingies with seafood. There were crepes made with butter and honey. There was almond filled puffs, there were grilled cheeses, hard-boiled eggs, dates, apricots, and all sorts of other stuff that I had no idea what they were, but I made sure to try them all! We were completely stuffed as we sat enjoying a cup of coffee. After, the family showed us their home ,which was beautiful, they had a swimming pool, 3 bedrooms, a balcony, a really nice kitchen, a kitchen in the basement for the live in maids, and quaint little yard. We went outside to have a cup of the famous mint tea and enjoy more little treats like cookies. We all sat there digesting when they told us it was now time for dinner!!! We were all verrrry confused because we thought we ate everything there was to eat. During Ramadan, Muslims fast during the day, no food or water, and at sun down he or she can break the fast and eat. So thats why as soon as we got there they served tons of appetizers type treats, saving the real meal until a little later. We went back in to have some bread and some sort of meat dish, but I was way to full to eat. Out of politeness I had a few bites and it was soo good,  I kind of wished I saved more room for that and the small salsa-like salad they brought out. During the whole meal we chatted about different things ranging from our questions about Ramadan and their daily lives, and in turn they asked us about the ship and what we were learning. Some how we got onto Michael Jackson, and the little boy got super excited saying he had a MJ movie that he watches. haha. So we all went up to his room to watch his live performance of MJ, and danced around as the boy busted out some moves to Billie jean!! Soon, Paula, the old lady was ready to go, so we all gathered again back downstairs to take pictures together and to give them our gifts. Some of the girls brought lindt chocolates, one girl brought a bunch of American candy, the kids were LOVING the skittles haha. The little boy finally pulled out my gift which was an American flag bandana, and was a little confused what to do with it. We folded it up and put it on his head and he LOVED it! He wore it the rest of the night and told us that tomorrow he would wear it to school! We got back to the ship a little while ago and promised the family a tour, but the security guard was being a bitch and told us that we can't have any visitors after 8, so they'll be coming back tomorrow after the kids get out of school. The younger boy is so excited to see the pool and our rooms and the cafeteria! I have great pictures of all the food and the family that i need to put up!

MONDAY: This morning at 10:30 I had the hip hop thing this morning what was pretty cool but not exactly what i was expecting. It was mostly a Q and A with this girl who was involved in the hip hop movement in morocco. She did a little free styling with my jazz teacher beat boxing haha. it was priceless. I have a clip of it on my camera that i'll toss on-line. She doesn't have a CD out yet, but I got her face book stuff and I told her that'd I'd look out for it in the future. You should look at the site (www.ilovehiphopinmorocco.com) and read about it. I'm going to try to find one of he other groups CDs. I just ate lunch and met my "ship family". I have the cutest little couple, Gretchen and Ray Fifer, who I'll be having dinner with tomorrow night and then once a week meeting in their cabin to just chat. They’re an amazing couple who have been on 5 voyages prior to this one! I look forward to meeting with them more often and hearing all the tips and advice they probably have for us. Side note: In the face book group for the Fall ’09 semester there was a woman who we was super helpful in tons of advice and suggestions.. that woman was Gretchen!!

After that  I just wrapping up everything in port. I got stamps and post cards. Other than that we had some dirham to spend, so casey, missy, and I went down to the market area. First we stopped at the best western to get internet time, but turns out you need some code, so we just sat and had a cup of tea. After that we took our time going through the market. Missy needed sunglasses cause she left them on the train from Marrakech. So we all helped her find some cute ray band aviators that we talked down to 80 dirham. I found cool shirt that’s white and kind of baggy that has really pretty embroidery on it that I got for 120 dirham, which is equivalent to 15 dollars. We also looked around for bootleg movies, preferably ones in English and not French. We came across the hangover but no one had it in English, I guess we'll just have to wait for Vietnam for that one! I found a silly chick flick, 17 again, that I got for 4 dirhams, which is like 50 cents. Casey and I were also on a mission to find some good Moroccan hip hop. After the girl, Fati, talked to us at the i love hip hop thing, i offered to show her around the ship. I asked her whos CD i should buy, and she recommended this one group that i don't remember the name of. Casey and I were able to find that cd, and another one that was a mix of 4 other groups that were on the i love hip hop movie we saw. Between the two of us we got 2 for 50 dirhams, and we'll put both of them on our computers. Their super ghetto though, ha  ha, their prtty much just mp3 burned cds, in a plastic bag and a print out piece of paper for the cover. We headed back to the ship to get back in time for my Moroccan family to come visit. Our group from last night was waiting in the lobby and they never showed up... which kind of sucked. While we were sitting there though one of the girls, riley, and i were asked to do an interview with a few other students about morocco. Turns out the interview was for a magazine, the equivalent of Americans GQ haha, so we just talked a little about our experience in port and our views on morocco. I guess we'll have a pic in the mag too, the photographer were taking some awful candids though!