"How Many Camels?!" Trip to Fes, experiencing harassment and otherwise interesting details.

Hello everyone!

My most sincere apologies, I know it's been a couple of weeks since my last blog post. I'm really bad at this whole blogging thing...

Don't take my lack of updates to heart, there's actually been a WHOLE LOT going on here in Morocco!!

I don't know exactly what this post will entail, so I will just start with yesterday; day trip to Fes!

Now, I know I mentioned that I would post about out first trip to Fes like...a month ago, but I never got around to it. (Essentially, we went to the old medina, bought some stuff, took some pictures, and had a grand ole time...)

THIS TIME, HOWEVER, was a little different. The first time we traveled to Fes we took with us one very important person; a man (our awesome friend Raul). This time, Raul decided to stay back, which was fine! And honestly, my friends and I were quite looking forward to having some girl-time...

Needless to say, this made the biggest difference. Without a man traveling with us, we were objectified, harassed, called names, and asked, "how many camels??" (meaning to buy you as a wife) at every corner. I would be lying if I said it wasn't funny sometimes...but mainly, it was incredibly uncomfortable and ANNOYING. Luckily, I have this amazing friend named Sabine. (who is of Lebanese descent, and speaks Modern Standard Arabic fluently - not to mention kicks so much ass as a human being) She watched our back and made sure to confront the men - or little boys, rather - who made it their business to follow and annoy us.

I have been especially targeted, as my hair is lighter in color than all my friends (and everyone in Morocco). In the US, I am considered a brunette in most regards. Here, I get, "Hey blondie! Wanna talk to me with those sweet lips??"

 

All this being said, it was a pretty great day, and I bought way too much. Mainly in gifts for people and some natural cosmetics like rose oil (smells amazing) and poppy flower powder for a natural lip stain! I also bought myself the most beautiful leather messenger bag (probably for way too much in comparison to what a Moroccan would pay...but I am so proud of it!) and of course, more earrings. :)

We also went to the Mall in Fes, which is totally opposite to the old medina! Lively and commercialized, it's a mall like any other that we're used to - except with different stores! We enjoyed some girl time shopping for a bit, and enjoyed some commercial mall food for dinner. I HAD DOMINOS PIZZA!!! It was definitely not the same as in the US, but still amazing, and I loved every bite!

It was all around a great day with the girls! Slightly annoyed by the harassment, but I always have an amazing time traveling with my friends here. :)

Today (Saturday) and tomorrow are ALL ABOUT THE HOMEWORK! Midterms are this week and then spring break, so it's time to buckle down and get some work done!

I'm really going to try to be better about blogging, even if they are short and pointless, I know people back home like to know what's going on!

All the best from Morocco!

Sofia xoxo

Weekend in Rabat!

Hello everyone, today's post will be the much anticipated 'trip to Rabat' blog!

Our first meal on Friday night!

I would like to preface this post by saying there is no way I will be able to capture all the beauty and hospitality we experienced while we were in Rabat with my friend Sultan and his Family. I will do my absolute best to share my experiences, but there will be gaps that only pictures can fill (hopefully).

I met Sultan my very first night in Morocco - as he is one of the International Student Ambassadors at my University here in Ifrane. We began talking right away and got to know each other - becoming fast friends! Then, before I knew it, he was welcoming my friends Alyssa, Raul, Taylor (other international students) and I into his home for the weekend! We were SO excited. When a Moroccan invites you into their home, you are in for a treat, I recommend it to anyone who comes to Morocco!

If you feel nervous or strange about it - don't! Inviting guests over is pretty common in Moroccan culture, as it turns out! Enjoying good company and conversations, sitting down for huge meals with some of the best food of your life and delicious tea and treats afterwards are just some of the benefits. You will be blown away by the amount of sheer hospitality and kindness!

Sultan and I at the beach

We were picked up from the train station by Sultan's brother Reda and his wife Nisrine, who both greeted us with Moroccan hellos (yes, the two cheek kisses) and warm smiles and questions about each of us. After about 20 minutes of driving, we arrived at their house - one of the most beautiful homes I have been in - where we were greeted with open arms by Sultan's Mother, Fatiha, who had prepared some amazing couscous, beef and vegetables for us to enjoy as soon as we arrived! Dinner was followed by a sweet and delicious dessert that I can't remember the name of...regardless, YUM! After dinner we enjoyed some tea in beautiful cups in their sitting room and talked about our trip to Morocco and experiences thus far. It was so nice to be around a family again, as I've been missing my own. Listening to their conversations and feeling the love in the house was so nice!

Post-meal tea time!

After this, we were comfortably set up in bedrooms and got ready for bed - I slept on an extra mattress they had brought up special - which ended up being one of the most comfortable beds I've ever slept in!

The next day, everyone woke up early and ready for the day! Breakfast was all spread out and ready when we came downstairs. Literally on silver platters... It was all so beautiful and tasted great! I love msemen with laughing cow cheese and raspberry jam spread on it. (For all those who don't know, msemen is a Moroccan flat breakfast bread that you fold to eat -- like a tortilla!) I also drank fresh orange juice and good coffee.

We spent the morning at the mall in Rabat and the commercial parts of "downtown" stocking up on the necessities we cannot always find in Ifrane. After this, we drove to a coastal city neighboring Rabat, called Temara. I found my happiness here, at the beach! Being next to the ocean in the sunlight with such amazing people around me was wonderful and I wish we could have stayed longer!

Deserts... :) 

But alas, we had to return for lunch (but I mean, how bad does that sound?) Lunch was delicious, of course. Sultan's mother told us she had prepared all very traditional Moroccan dishes for our visit -and she did not disappoint!

I will stop myself from trying to explain everything I ate, because it will not do anything justice! Instead, I will insert some pictures from some of our meals!

Oudaya is at the top of the wall

After lunch we visited Oudaya, a beautiful blue and white city in Rabat. I took so many pictures here, and just enjoyed looking and walking around inside the walls of the 'kasbah of the udayas'. We also drank some of the best mint tea I've had yet at a small cafe there, and walked around a garden with some live music playing! The view of the 'Plage de Rabat'  (Rabat beach) and the ocean from the large balcony at the end of the medina was breathtaking.

This was very special way to end the day-sightseeing, and I have to say, was probably my favorite stop of the trip.

We walked through the souk in Rabat - which was very cool and I WISH I could have spent more time (and some money) there! But we were more in the mood for walking and looking, though I am certain next time will different... :)

YUM!

Next, we visited the old medina of Rabat. This was a new experience because it was very crowded (even more so than Fes) and pretty intense to say the least. At one point, a man walking by actually groped my butt, and really caught me off guard. Now, before my parents have a heart attack, I have to say, I felt very safe the entire trip, especially because Sultan made sure to walk right behind me after hearing this, which also made me feel a lot better. I have chosen a group of great people who really watch my back! (Insert obvious joke here) Even with the butt grab, this was still a very cool adventure!

View from our morning walk!

The next day after taking an early morning walk around the neighborhood - which was so beautiful - I had one of those corny 'Sofia moments' where I thought "How lucky am I to be here?" Feeling so grateful these days! I mean, look where I am!

That afternoon, we visited the Ruins of Chellah, existing since pre-Islamic times holding Mauretania Tingit1ana and medieval ruins, now crumbling in its remains, but still so beautiful and a cool place to see! So, yes. We went to Rabat and enjoyed tourist locations, but had a wonderful

Ruins of Chellah

time nonetheless! After the visit to the Chellah ruins, it was time to return back to Sultan's home once more for a Sunday lunch of amazing tagine with beef and then fruit and sweet almond/nutty pastries for desert...That I again, cannot remember the name of. Fatiha also sent us home with some desert, much to my delight! :)

Breakfast!

I know (I hope) Sultan and his family will be reading this post, so I will say again, thank you so SO much for hosting us in your beautiful home and city for the weekend. Your generosity will not soon be forgotten, we had an amazing time! 

I hope everyone enjoyed this post and pictures! Stay tuned for more soon! 

Sofia, xoxo

P.S. More pictures down below!!

4,545.951 Miles Away from Home

Hello everyone,

Today I thought I would write a post about homesickness, and feeling the distance.

We're currently on our third week of studying abroad...and they say that once you've hit two or three weeks, you hit the wall.

Some of my new family <3

This means that one may begin experiencing feeling out of place, missing the familiarity of home, food and people, and culture shock sets in. While I haven't exactly been feeling massive amounts of heart-wrenching homesickness... I can't lie; I have been feeling a bit out of place here, and developed a sort of knot in my stomach that hasn't left me alone. Many of these feelings (I am sure) have developed due to this sickness that has been with me the past week. Coughing, sneezing, runny nose... Ugh. Feeling miserable in general is awful, but feeling miserable when you're abroad and wanting to have an amazing time is even worse. Nevertheless, I've been doing a pretty solid job of sucking it up, if I do say so myself. I've still been traveling, going out to eat, attending all my classes, working out and seeing my friends!



Before I go on, it's important to note: I was ready for this! I knew this trip would be a learning experience and a challenging one at that, I readied myself for it.
However, this is still something I need to address for the sake of my family and friend's knowledge... Just because I knew I would feel culture shock doesn't mean I knew exactly how I would feel when I got here. Everything seems different and amplified when you are adjusting to a new country and culture.

The good news? I have the most amazing friends here. It's one thing to have people to talk, travel and laugh with...but when those people are also consistently checking up on you, bringing food to someone who is too sick to leave their room and ALWAYS making sure you feel comfortable in any situation you are in... I have no words to describe my gratitude for all the love and kindness my new 'family' has shown me here.

On our way to Fes! From left to right in back: Taylor, Alyssa and Raul

Having that kind of support, along with the solidarity in experiencing the new and unknown almost makes that knot in my stomach and amplified stress/sickness melt away altogether. Shout out to you guys!

Today I am sitting in the library typing up this post while my friends around me are working on their homework for the next few days. (We are all very dedicated students ;)) After homework and maybe some time at the gym, we're going to get some of the best, and also most inexpensive sushi I've ever had! On another note, I have been invited to stay with my friend Sultan and his family in Rabat this upcoming weekend! I am so excited for this trip. 1. Because it will be so awesome to finally see beautiful Rabat (the capital city of Morocco) and get out of chilly Ifrane. And 2. Because it will be so nice to be around a family, and enjoy a home cooked Moroccan meal. :) Thank you Sultan! Stay tuned for a post all about that trip!

Sultan and myself!

That's all I really wanted to talk about in this post! My next topic will be about our weekend trip to Fes! (Sorry for the delays!) Hope everyone back home is healthy and happy. Love you all!

Sofia, xoxo