tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78651977516997536412024-02-19T06:57:38.944-08:00Geography by Rail: MoroccoMrs. Zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05361282321457876937noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7865197751699753641.post-54185951874737949472015-01-09T14:32:00.001-08:002015-01-10T10:19:52.878-08:00CasablancaYesterday was primarily a travel day. I took very few photos, all from the train. I love looking out at the landscape, because it really is beautiful here. Shepherds tend their flocks everywhere and it's fun to watch them. One of the employees of the train saw me taking photos through the window and opened the train door for me to take photos through. HE OPENED THE DOOR. That is a terrifying experience. I just kept picturing myself tripping and getting flung out the open door. But I was safe and it was really awesome he did that. Everyone has been so nice here.<br />
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After we got to the hotel I was beat. I grabbed a hot sandwich from the restaurant, brought it to my room, scarfed it down, and promptly went to bed. Today we visited a few beautiful places in Casablanca. The first was Le Sacre Ceour (Sacred Heart) Cathedral. I did not take any photos inside because it is a silent place of prayer, but the stained glass was really beautiful. It was hard to get photos of the exterior because of the angles, but this adorable kitten followed us around and was so friendly, so I took photos of her. I also lit a candle for my grandfather. </div>
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Next we went to Hassan II Mosque. It is the third largest mosque in the world. Believe me when I say it is breathtaking. It took 10,000 men six years to build and it rests over the ocean. We returned after the mid-day prayer and took a tour, but I don't have photos of the inside. Photos are permitted, but I opted to buy postcards instead of take any because it feels weird to continually snap photos inside a house of worship. It is massive and intricately detailed. If you<a href="https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&site=imghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1280&bih=598&q=hassan+ii+mosque&oq=hassan+ii+mosque&gs_l=img.3..0l10.1036.3507.0.3719.16.10.0.0.0.0.585.1399.2-1j5-2.3.0.msedr...0...1ac.1.60.img..13.3.1396.ed_6apGmyrQ#hl=en&tbm=isch&q=hassan+ii+mosque+inside" target="_blank"> CLICK HERE</a> you'll be taken to a link in Google images of photos of the inside. I was in complete awe. Here's a photo of a woman studying outside the mosque and one taken later when we drove down the coast a bit and captured some photos across the water. That water is the other side of the Atlantic, y'all! </div>
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Our taxi drivers took us to a strip of beach with clubs and coffee shops. I had the most delicious strawberry ice cream and then we took a walk on the beach and looked at the limestone uplift (because half of us are rock nerds.) </div>
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The program coordinators/instructors took us out to dinner to end the program tonight. We had our final language tests and debriefs. I ended the night by purchasing myself a rose from a flower stand outside the restaurant and indulging in the best flan I've ever had. </div>
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I have one more day and night in Casablanca and then I will journey home. This will not be my last post, as I have a lot of details I want to address in this blog. Expect more photos and posts in the coming week or two as I organize my thoughts! </div>
Mrs. Zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05361282321457876937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7865197751699753641.post-43419568343775971402015-01-08T05:34:00.002-08:002015-01-08T05:34:30.209-08:00Journey through the AtlasOur full day in Taza was spent driving and strolling through part of the Atlas Mountains right outside of the city. The weather couldn't have been more perfect with clear skies and mild temperatures. We took several stops to get a better look at the landscape. The mountains here were once part of the same mountain chain as the Appalachians in the United States. They are made of the same limestone and the formations are incredible. We walked through a small village, saw more cats (of course, even in the mountains!) and walked through part of a cork forest (so cool!) One city left. We leave on the train shortly for Casablanca and will arrive late tonight. It's bittersweet knowing this is coming to a close soon, but I will be glad to see my family and reflect on all that I've seen.<br />
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<br />Mrs. Zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05361282321457876937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7865197751699753641.post-62345764950086491622015-01-08T04:08:00.001-08:002015-01-08T04:08:38.823-08:00Sunset in the SaharaWe arrived in Taza by train in the afternoon and, after getting settled, piled into a van to drive out to the Kasbah at Msoun about 30km east of Taza. It is inhabited by a tribe of about 100 members called the Daouri. The kasbah is still complete on three of its sides and many of its original features are still present, dating back to the late 1600's. We were at Msoun for sunset, and let me tell you that you have not really seen a sunset until you've seen it over the Sahara. The colors were incredible: purple, pink, orange, yellow, red, green, blue, and colors I can't even describe. For me it was an emotional experience and I was sad to leave it so soon. I grabbed a few stones and a shell to keep as a token of the time I stood and witnessed the sun setting over Sahara Proper with mountains all around me. I love experiences that make me feel small and, for lack of a better term, inconsequential. The world is a big, beautiful place and we are simply a blip on its timeline. I have been thinking about The Little Prince ever since. It will be a very long time before I have an experience that rivals this one. I can't wait to find a way to show this to my daughter.<br />
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<br />Mrs. Zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05361282321457876937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7865197751699753641.post-84920011636873025142015-01-08T03:44:00.001-08:002015-01-08T03:44:40.514-08:00Tour of Fes medinaOn our full day in Fes, we had a hired tour guide take us throughout the medina. In case I haven't mentioned yet, the medina is the old part of a city, usually enclosed by a high wall. This is where souks and many historical sites are found.<br />
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The first stop on our guided tour was the Medersa al-Attarine, a school founded in 1325. The plaster is intricately carved and every detail of the school is gorgeous. It is currently a school only for girls. It is open to non-Muslims for tours for roughly $1/each (10 Moroccan dirham.)<br />
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We wound through the souk stalls and peered into a mosque where men were readying for prayer by washing. As I've said before, non-Muslims cannot enter, but we were permitted to stand outside and look in to observe the men preparing for prayer. We were also told we could take photos. Once we get to Casablanca we will be able to enter a large mosque there as they welcome tourists in. </div>
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Next we visited the leather souks, and one shop in particular that is run by several artisans. We climbed tot he roof to get a view of the tannery. This was what I had been waiting months for! I have been so excited to see the tannery, and when I climbed those steps and peered over the railing....I was disappointed. I thought we'd get to see the largest tannery in Fes. Instead we saw a much smaller tannery. It was still really interesting to learn about the tanning process and the dyes that are used, I just had completely different expectations. It was still a really great experience. All the leather is dyed using natural substances (saffron for yellow, indigo for blue, mint for green, poppy flower for pink and red...) It smells really bad in the tannery, and that is because one of the steps in the process involves soaking the leather in pigeon excrement. It is highly acidic and works to soften the leather before being scraped and dyed. I purchased a huge duffel bag made from pink camel leather and a hand-woven kilim (Berber style rug) for a fraction of what I would pay in the states for it. I needed a duffel to get all my stuff home that I've picked up along the way. I thought I'd buy a cheap knock-off adidas bag, but now I have something beautiful with a story. </div>
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At this point in our tour it was clear that our guide was bringing us on a shopping excursion, more or less. I was okay with this because we were still getting some great information about the processes and history of these products that Morocco is known for. Some of us felt a little pressure to buy, but it wasn't overwhelming and I felt comfortable saying no. We were next taken to watch fabric be hand-woven. The silk threads used in this shop are made from the silk of agave plants! I wish I had thought to purchase a spool. I will look for some in Casablanca. It's so shiny and vibrant. The gentlemen teaching us about the fabric and techniques taught a few of the ladies how to tie their scarves in traditional Moroccan ways (turbans.) </div>
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A huge rug shop run from the interior of a very large former home was our next visit and these guys were trying very hard to sell us on their rugs! They were beautiful, but very expensive. I saw a rug in Meknes that I wish I would have purchased now. I would have paid only $70 for a hand embroidered decorative "baby kilim" that would set me back much more than that at the shop in Fes. The rugs in Fes were beautiful, but were nothing compared to the kilims I saw at the shop in Meknes. </div>
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Our last two shops were a health and beauty type shop that sold fragrances and argan oil, and a clothing shop. We learned about how argan seeds are harvested and then processed by hand for the oil. A woman was actually sitting on the floor making oil as we learned about it. And, of course, a cat joined us for the discussion. </div>
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In the clothing shop our professor and a couple of the students were dressed in some really beautiful clothes. I bartered for a Fez and completed my goal of buying a Fez hat in Fes (note: the proper term is "tarboosh!") </div>
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To finish out the day, we had a family dinner at our riad, cooked and served to us by the family that owns the riad. It was my first really big meal since being sick, so I ate A LOT. I wish I had photos to post of it, but we ate it too fast for me to snap any. I really enjoyed my time in Fes. If I return to Morocco, I think I'll definitely spend more time there. </div>
Mrs. Zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05361282321457876937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7865197751699753641.post-19206311072376899762015-01-07T14:26:00.001-08:002015-01-07T14:26:22.800-08:00Fes: Day 1I have to stress again how many cats there are in Morocco. There are thousands of strays in every city. I haven't stopped being surprised by the number yet. Not only are they everywhere, but they have become integrated into everyday life here. After arriving in Fes in the afternoon and settling into our riad, a group of us went out to lunch. We found a place with a rooftop patio so we could get some fresh air and a view of the city. A very pregnant cat made herself at home begging for food while our waiter expertly stepped over or around her each trip to and from our table. When the couple behind us left, the cat happily checked the top of their table for scraps of food left behind.<br />
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In the evening our instructors piled us into two vans and we went to a cemetery overlooking Fes just before sunset. Had they told me that Fes was home to nearly 370 mosques, I would have believed them....but being on a hilltop over the city and actually hearing all of those mosques call worshipers to prayer at sunset gave me chills of the best kind. There is nothing like it. It is truly beautiful. </div>
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The rest of the day was rather uneventful. I went to bed early to be well-rested for the next day, when we would be having a 4-5 hour tour of the medina in Fes. That gentleman in the photo above is my professor/advisor/program coordinator extraordinaire! He's pretty swell. </div>
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Mrs. Zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05361282321457876937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7865197751699753641.post-8521205658564326762015-01-07T13:02:00.004-08:002015-01-07T13:02:49.465-08:00Day 2 in Meknes: Moulay Idriss and VolubilisOn day two of Meknes I was not feeling well. I spent the previous night shivering instead of sleeping and just felt overall pretty crummy for the entire day. I couldn't bring myself to eat anything. I think I was just exhausted and my stomach had had it with the mass amounts of spices in all the food here. I had every intention of getting up early and visiting the mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, but I felt so awful that I stayed in bed.<br />
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Around noon the entire group filed into three taxis and journeyed to Moulay Idriss, a city at the base of Mount Zerhoun where Moulay Idriss I arrived in 789 bringing the religion of Islam to Northern Africa. The city is a holy place to Muslims in this region of the world, and non-Muslims were prohibited from entering the city until just a few years ago. Non-Muslims may now stay the night, but are still prohibited from visiting the mosque or the mausoleum of Idriss. Unfortunately I was feeling ill and didn't snap more than a couple of photos of an alley. I then sat at a cafe in the public square and bundled up in the sun to stay warm. Out of respect, I wore a scarf to cover my hair while in the city. I did see a few foreigners not covering up, but it seemed more appropriate to remain covered. Besides, I look super cute in a scarf!<br />
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After Moulay Idriss, we rode not far away to Volubilis, an ancient Roman city. Its ruins are partially excavated and located just down the hill from Moulay Idriss. It was built beginning in the 3rd century BC and covers about 100 acres. These were my first Roman ruins. I was feeling so poorly I really thought I was going to nap under a tree, but decided to trek to the ruins and was SO SO glad that I did. They were awesome. Anything that makes me feel like a tiny speck on the planet or on a timeline gets seared into my memory and makes me feel awed and inspired. Volubilis was one of those places. You could picture the streets as they were in the city's prime. The shapes of homes were still clear, and the huge arc was an incredible site. I would have never thought I'd see Roman ruins on this trip to Morocco. To see them in such a gorgeous setting at sunset? Incredible.<br />
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<br />Mrs. Zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05361282321457876937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7865197751699753641.post-84371525237091913872015-01-05T14:39:00.000-08:002015-01-05T14:39:09.270-08:00First day in MeknesAnother train ride! Yay! Our very short stay in Rabat was nice as a little refresher post New Year's Eve, but it's hard to move around every day. We stayed in Meknes for two nights, so we were able to wash clothes, settle in, and see the city more in-depth.<br />
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The first day in Meknes we arrived at our riad well before it was ready for us. We wandered around, had lunch on a rooftop, and read our guide books for tips on what to do the next day. After we checked into our riad and dropped off our bags, I walked around with Jon, Stefi, Ashlae, and Erin. Our intent was to find a cafe with wifi so we could all check in back home, but we met a Berber artisan who makes metal crafts decorated with silver thread. We went into his shop and he showed us how he makes each piece, firing the metal twice, scouring it, polishing it, and shaping the final piece. I bought a bracelet and ring from him for an incredible price and then he invited us to sit in a back room filled with killim rugs. We sat around and he made each of us a cup of mint tea (everyone here calls it Moroccan whiskey or scotch. It is LOADED with sugar!) He was so kind and taught us the history of each of the four types of killims. I promise to go into more detail in future posts about all the intricacies that make Morocco Morocco, but for now I'm just posting an overview of my visit to catch up on this blog! He asked us to sign a book he keeps as a record of all of the students that come through his shop. He has learned English thanks to students from the nearby university coming through, so we left a note of thanks for his hospitality.<br />
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We ate dinner in someone's home that doubles as their family restaurant. The riad roof was leaking when we got back and mattresses got wet and had to be shuffled around. It was quite the ordeal! Someone had been hosing off the roof earlier in the day and forgot to turn the water off, so the terrace flooded. The riad was truly authentic with no heat and drafty windows. I shook the entire night and didn't sleep a wink. More on that in the next post...Mrs. Zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05361282321457876937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7865197751699753641.post-91269531796730298512015-01-05T09:56:00.000-08:002015-01-05T09:56:48.836-08:00Another train ride and a night in RabatRabat was a welcome break from the hustle and bustle of Marrakech. We took a 3 hour train ride, which allowed us to see the beautiful landscape of Morocco. Unfortunately the waste management has a long way to go, so the rail line is littered with garbage. A woman on the train told us that Morocco is too poor to have a recycling program, and we have been hard-pressed to find public waste bins while walking around. Still, the distant landscape is gorgeous and the sky is a beautiful blue. Prior to our arrival there were many days of rain, so everything is lush and green. It is interesting to see pastures dotted with dense areas of apartment buildings, many that are abandoned or half-built. Along the tracks we saw a lot of shepherds tending their flocks. The outskirts of cities seems to be where the stray dogs hang out, while the cats rule the streets of towns.<br />
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After arriving in Rabat we checked into our hotel and took a few minutes to settle in, freshen up, and drop our bags off. We wandered through the souks, which were very different from the souks in Marrakech. They seemed a lot more calm. I didn't take a lot of photos just because I was exhausted and wanted to remain respectful, but there were men selling whole stingrays from carts and it was awesome! Cats waited patiently behind them hoping for a handout.<br />
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We wound our way up through the narrow alleys into the Kasbah. It was beautiful. The walls were all painted white and blue and it was quiet! Such a nice break from Marrakech. I loved the chaos of Marrakech, but I can only take so much of it.<br />
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We ended our professor-guided stroll on the edge of the fort/kasbah overlooking the Atlantic ocean. The view was incredible.<br />
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Several of us headed down from the fort together to find dinner. You can't look to Yelp for dinner suggestions here! So we wander until we find a place that looks good and has comfortable seating. We took in the sights along the way and had tagine for dinner (tagine comes in many forms and is a national specialty. I will write more on that later.) I also had an amazing banana and milk smoothie.<br />
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After dinner we called it a night. I roomed with Stefi and Ashlae and got a balcony with an incredible view. After a good night of sleep, we had breakfast in the hotel and headed to the train station once more. Our visit to Rabat was very short and sweet, but was just what the doctor ordered for our exhausted group of students. Onward to Meknes! </div>
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<br />Mrs. Zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05361282321457876937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7865197751699753641.post-37887064060074406072015-01-05T07:57:00.000-08:002015-01-05T07:57:33.628-08:00New Year's Eve in MarrakechI never know whether I should write Marrakech or Marrakesh....or Fes or Fez! Both ways are correct, so if I switch between the two I'm still right!<br />
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New Year's Eve in Marrakech was very eventful for our group, but I will share only the good. We had breakfast at our riad together, which was an assortment of jams with Moroccan crepes, pancakes, and honey. Later we broke into smaller groups to explore the city. The group I was in visited the Carrefour (grocery store) in the new town to get snacks and drinks for a NYE celebration. Then we went into the old medina to a place called Henna Art Cafe where I got henna on my hand. It is a beautiful cafe, and we met both of the owners. One is a local and one is a woman from the United States. She was so kind and accommodating to our questions.<br />
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After a trip back to our riad to momentarily relax, we trekked through the souks (markets) some more. You could spend days in the Marrakech souks and not see them all. They are an endless maze of stalls. We stopped in a spice stall and learned about some of the ingredients used in Moroccan food. I purchased some mixed spices for friends back home as well as black anise, which is used for a number of ailments. It is balled up in a piece of cotton fabric and sniffed through the nostrils to clear sinuses and relieve headaches. It is incredible stuff. The shop owner was incredibly kind and explained every spice we could point at. It was a great experience. </div>
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After the second trip through the souks, Erin and I lagged behind to walk slowly and buy fresh-squeezed orange juice in the square. 1.5 liters cost roughly $2.00 and it is the best orange juice I have ever had. I bought a metal lantern from a shopkeeper I had met earlier in the day and we went back to our riad. </div>
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The evening was suppose to end with much celebration, but I fell and possibly broke my knee cap so I went back in early. The amount of blood on my pants wasn't pretty! But, I am feeling fine to walk and will have it looked at back in the States. It's all part of the fun of traveling! </div>
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Happy 2015! This year is going to be amazing, I can feel it. </div>
Mrs. Zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05361282321457876937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7865197751699753641.post-9175671726369331502014-12-31T02:41:00.000-08:002014-12-31T02:41:11.514-08:00Overnight train and first day in MarrakeshLast night we took an overnight train from Tangier to Marrakesh after spending the day roaming around Tangier. The train left at 9:55pm and arrived in Marrakesh at 8:30am. The views of the night sky were incredible, as was the sunrise through the fog in the morning. I fell in love with Tangier, but I am more in love with Marrakesh. Marrakesh is a true assault on the senses. There is a new smell emanating from the air every 10 feet in the medina. Cats lurk around every corner, and bikes and mopeds scream around curves. Merchants beckon to tourists to buy their wares, but I found them to be very respectful when we replied "no." In fact, after much warning to the contrary, I thought the merchants in Marrakesh were much less pushy than those in Tangier.<br />
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After departing the train, we immediately traveled to our riad not far from the medina (Riad le Marocain.) We dropped off our bags and walked as a group to the main square, Djemaa al Fna. On the way we grabbed a breakfast of Moroccan pancakes with honey, cheese, coffee, and eggs.<br />
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Once we got a feel for the area, we returned to our riad to shower and relax. Four of us broke off from the rest of the group to attend a private cooking class at Riad Monceau near the medina. It was an amazing experience. It was a pastry class and we began by hanging out in the center common area sipping coffee in the fresh air while our chef set the kitchen up for us. We made three desserts from scratch and then retreated to a lounge to learn how to make Moroccan tea. We drank tea and ate our desserts, then went back to the main square to eat chicken, veggies, and lamb on skewers. The square is the place to be during the day, but it really comes to life at night. The air is thick with drums, smoke from the food merchants, and shouts welcoming travelers to sit for an evening meal.
Tomorrow we will have the entire day to ourselves to explore Marrakesh.<br />
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We will likely visit the new part of town where high-rise hotels, a mall, and upscale restaurants reside. The new part of town is where the expats mostly live and play. I have a sneaking suspicion it will lack the charm I love so far.
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Mrs. Zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05361282321457876937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7865197751699753641.post-7279441634540058832014-12-31T00:38:00.006-08:002014-12-31T00:38:57.511-08:00Walking through TangierWe had nearly the whole day in Tangier today. We walked through the medina and a residential neighborhood, enjoyed tea and scarf tying lessons in a Berber's shop, and then broke off from the main group to explore and have dinner. The city is full of incredible smells (and some not-incredible smells.) I am typing this from inside a gorgeous riad full of intricate tile work and good coffee. Four of us are sitting around, chatting, and laughing until we have to catch a taxi to the train station. Tonight we'll board a train and arrive in Marrakesh tomorrow morning where new adventure await. I'm in love.<br />
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<br />Mrs. Zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05361282321457876937noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7865197751699753641.post-18436708918948837572014-12-28T09:13:00.006-08:002014-12-28T10:21:23.765-08:00Arrival in TangierI arrived in Tangier today with some of my study abroad mates after 19 long hours of travel. We won't be doing a lot of exploring today as we are all pretty wiped, but we had a late lunch at a cafe near our hotel and then enjoyed coffee on the hotel terrace. I am excited to get out and explore the city tomorrow before heading out by train to Marrakesh.<br />
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I'll leave you with the few photos I took today of Tangier from above and our hotel. </div>
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Mrs. Zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05361282321457876937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7865197751699753641.post-17125027481537341922014-12-24T11:38:00.001-08:002014-12-24T11:38:29.940-08:00What I'm bringingFor this program, we are limited to what will fit inside a backpack. That is a tall order for someone that simply cannot leave her camera and lenses behind. I am trying to pack as light as possible to make up for the fact that I'll be bringing not only my camera, but an extra lens and a computer. I will likely have achy shoulders after long days, but that is a small price to pay to be able to Skype with my husband and kiddo, and also (hopefully) capture some gorgeous scenes. <br />
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Here is what is going in my bag: <br />
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Not including what I'll be wearing on the plane, I will be packing the following (and yes, this all fits in the backpack with some room to spare):<br />
Packable down jacket<br />
4 pairs of wool socks (plus 1 pair cotton that I'll be wearing on the plane)<br />
5 pairs underwear<br />
1 pair jeans<br />
1 pair cropped athletic pants<br />
1 pair full length athletic pants<br />
1 regular bra<br />
1 sports bra<br />
1 swimsuit<br />
2 tank tops<br />
2 t-shirts<br />
3 long sleeve shirts<br />
1 pair Crocs flats that double as shower shoes (probably the best purchase I've made for this!)<br />
Common toiletries (toothpaste, deodorant, etc)<br />
Imodium, just in case<br />
Ear plugs (not taking the whole box, but that is a gift from "Santa" so I haven't opened them yet.)<br />
Advil<br />
Hair ties<br />
Folding brush<br />
Travel clothesline (because I'll likely be washing my clothes in a sink)<br />
Organization bag for toiletries and small items<br />
Universal plug adapter<br />
Wet and dry bags for laundry<br />
Camera bag insert (the full camera bag is no longer coming, as the insert can fit nicely into my cross-body purse/market bag.)<br />
Pentax K5 camera body<br />
35mm 2.0 lens<br />
50-135 2.8 lens<br />
Extra battery and SD cards<br />
Chargers (phone, computer, camera)<br />
Extra ziplock bags for bringing home spices, and a market bag for extra souvenirs. <br />
Microsoft Surface (smaller than a laptop but with all the same capabilities, and it has my photo editing software on it.)<br />
Travel journal (part of my program assignment)<br />
Gratitude journal (something I'm doing for work)<br />
2 pens<br />
Passport<br />
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Not pictured:<br />
I'll be wearing another pair of full length athletic pants, a t-shirt, tank top, and cardigan on the plane along with my Crocs Blitzen Convertible boots (which will be my main walking shoes in country.) I am also bringing ear buds, cash, my credit cards, cell phone, etc. in a convenient cross-body purse that has lots of room for picking things up along the way. <br />
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The bag:<br />
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I am using the Kelty Redwing 44 bag. After a LOT of searching for something, this seemed like the perfect fit. I wanted something that unzipped all the way or nearly all the way rather than a top-loading bag so I can keep contents organized and not have to remove everything to get to what's on the bottom. This bag also has water bottle pockets (another requirement of mine) and lots of extra pockets to organize. I have a lot of small items, so I want to be able to keep them within reach, and this does the trick. It is also extremely comfortable. I've worn it around the house loaded up to test it out and so far I really like it. I will report back at the end of the two weeks one whether or not I still like it! Mrs. Zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05361282321457876937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7865197751699753641.post-74925280891367025162014-12-17T09:17:00.005-08:002014-12-17T09:17:45.314-08:00About the Program<br />
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As part of my degree in Geography, I am taking a short study abroad course. <em>Geography by Rail: Morocco</em> will fulfill my field techniques requirement while also giving me a pretty incredible opportunity. While traveling through the country (mostly by train) I will be taking photos and blogging about the experience.<br />
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I'll arrive in Tangier on December 28th. We'll take an overnight train the following day to Marrakech where we'll spend New Year's Eve. From there we'll continue on to Rabat, Meknes, Fes, and Taza. The program will conclude in Casablanca on January 10th. I have rented an apartment for one last night in Casablanca and will head home to Colorado on January 11th.<br />
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Suring the two weeks in country we will explore the physical and human landscape, learning about the natural history, human history, and rich culture of the Moroccan people. We will eat traditional foods, visit a <a href="http://www.completemorocco.com/morocco-an-introduction/what-is-a-hammam/" target="_blank">hammam,</a> and experience the hospitality Morocco is well-known for. <br />
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Where exactly is Morocco, you ask? Morocco is located in northwest Africa. A ferry can be taken between Morocco and Spain for a reasonable fare. At the closest points, Spain and Morocco are a mere 8 miles apart. <br />
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The cities we'll be visiting are spread throughout the country. I've created a map with dates for those interested in knowing where I'll be and when (you know, like my mother and husband!) <br />
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There will be ten students and two instructors in the program. We will be limited to bringing items that fit into a backpack...which means I am bringing a very large backpack! Ha! Next week I will blog about my adventures in packing light. I have faith I can accomplish such a task. <br />
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I can't wait to begin this journey. I feel incredibly lucky to have the chance and be so supported in this by my friends and family. <br />
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Until then...Mrs. Zhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05361282321457876937noreply@blogger.com0