In Which I Come Through

On one of my promises, that is. I have some answers! 

"What is the one pleasant surprise you have found?"

Umm, that I haven’t fallen off the W-curve drop-off yet? *Knocks on wood* No, really. Everyone in Morocco is super friendly, from my host family, to most of the vendors, to the cab driver I had today who was quiet chatty (in all three languages) and didn’t seem to mind my atrocious Arabic. We managed to talk for a rather vast majority of the 20-something minute cab ride. He seemed like a rather happy person for the cab-driving profession. And then there is the food, which has all been delicious. I have not gotten tired of khubz yet. There is also, of course, the beauty (and climate!) of Rabat. It is warm, but not scalding, and there is generally sun and a breeze. (Although we have actually had weather the past few days, in the form of some clouds. Crazy, I know.) Plus the buildings and the flora and…everything is beautiful.

Yeah, that’s more than one thing, I know.

"How is it to have younger siblings? What is your favorite TV show to watch with them?"

It’s…different having younger siblings. They’re actually a lot of fun.  (I mean, aside from the natural brotherly spats. But all siblings are like that, yeah?) A rather large amount of TV is watched here, and while the kids do have certain shows that they watch, they watch a lot of the programs that Mama watches. There are a couple of Bollywood ones (you did read that right: Bollywood. They dub it into Arabic.) that are fun to watch even though I have no idea what is being said.

"Where do you like to go? Why do you like to go there?"

I enjoy going pretty much anywhere in Rabat. We went to the cliffs the other day to watch the sun set, and that was gorgeous. The day before, we sat by the river and watched the Oudayas (also as the sun set). Everything here is gorgeous, and there is a surprising amount of tranquility for a busy city. The place I go with most regularity, though, is the old medina. I live there, of course, but it’s always changing and bustling and exciting.

"Biggest difference from home that you enjoy?"

I mean, Morocco is different from the US, but it’s not like the differences are so huge that it’s a different galaxy or something. I guess if I had to go with one difference, so far it would be the food. It’s actually good here. And nearly always super fresh.

"Donde está la marina para mi barco???"

Ugh, Spanish, too? I’m frazzled enough. Umm, la marina no exista en este momento porque yo no tengo una idea completa de las marinas posibles. Este fin de semana, yo iré a Tangiers, y entonces yo buscaré una marina buena allí también. (Don't you dare judge my grammar. Or if you want to, take a language you only half know, go try learning 2.5 more at once, return to that said language, and get back to me.) 

"Have you been to Agdal at all?"

I have been in Agdal, but briefly; more passing through it than anything else. From what I understand from friends, it is a residential/upscale shopping area. Personally, I prefer the Old Medina (which is good, because that is where I live!) because there’s so much to see and do—you can never really quite see everything—and all of it is beautiful. I can try to get more information on it though, if you’d like. 

#YouKnowYou'reInMoroccoWhen...

(I promise that a Sahara/Q&A post is coming. Really, I do. Until then, here's a little somethin'-somethin' about Morocco. So you don't get too bored with me.) 

...you eat two dinners. 

...you're second dinner is 23:00 or later.

...you cross streets like a New Yorker, except that there are palm trees everywhere. 

...it has become second nature to cross streets as such. (Just COMMIT!) 

...you don't even think about moving when you hear a motorcycle, you just do it. 

...drivers start cursing at each other and get into a screaming match and no one bats an eyelash. 

...every day you pass dozens of shops selling thousands of different things to get to your home. 

...you hear half a dozen languages every day. 

...you carry on your basic conversations pulling words, phrases, and sentences from three or more languages.

...you hear a very distinct call to prayer every day.

...you really miss the sounds of the call to prayer when you're doing something and don't catch it. 

...you feel weird when other Americans start celebrating the 4th of July, because it's so out-of-culture. (Although, Happy 4th to everyone stateside!) 

...you're learning two languages at a time. (Don't you dare tell me that Arabic is Arabic is Arabic. Darija is basically it's own language even though it shares roots and words with MSA.) 

...your computer is set to a Moroccan timezone. 

...everyone around you operates on Moroccan Time. (*ahem*americanschedulesbedamned*ahem*) 

...you wake up in your Moroccan home and see everything and realize all over again that you are in a fantastic place. 

I AM ALIVE. I promise.

No, the Sahara did not kill me, as amusing as that might be. 

Remember how I told y'all that I would be busy? Busy + Sahara trip + no internet access at home for a few days = no blog posts. (Or Facebook communication. *Hi, Mom*)

I think everything is up and running again properly. I have tons to post, and I promise I will answer all the questions and blab about the Sahara adventure shortly. Just not tonight. Because it's midnight. 

Ask Me Your Questions

I don't have copious amounts of time to write about every aspect of my life here, as nice as that might be. So instead of trying to figure out what to blog and what not to blog (to keep it interesting for you all), ask me questions! (Yes, you are doing most of the work for me. We've already established that I'm lazy.) Comment below (or Inbox/Other-box me) and I will try to answer them to the best of my ability.

(*Note: I will not be answering any questions as to the secrets of the universe. Just so you know.) 

Dear Sherlock,

Not all cab drivers are psychopath-murderers. Just thought you should know.

You know, I'm not really one for hashtags. Sometimes they're funny, but most of the time, I find them annoying.

But Morocco is giving me ample opportunities for them.

#ThatMomentWhen...

...You catch three whole words in an entire conversation and not only feel satisfied but proud.

...You have no clue what your mom is saying, but you nod and smile anyways.

...By nodding and smiling the words somehow become clearer and you can sort of pick up one word, which sort of tells you what she's saying.

...Your littlest brother is watching a kids' show and they start singing about Tah and you flip out because that's a letter you learned in class that day.

...You can then put together a sentence that more or less translates to "The letter Tah, we study today in school."

...The thing that made you gag the first time you sipped it (less than a week ago) is now an integral part of your diet, and it wouldn't be breakfast or dinner #1 without it.

...You hear a verb you know and are thus able to reply, actually conjugating it correctly as well.

...You carry on a multi-sentence mini-conversation with your cab driver.

...You realize you've carried on aforementioned multi-sentence mini-conversation.

...You understand an entire sentence that your mom says without thinking about it too much, even though it includes two languages.

...You're super tired because you only got 5.5 hours of sleep, but then you get outside and you're in the Old Medina, and you realize all over again you're in Morocco. 

Pictures, Because I'm Too Lazy To Write

First off, things everywhere are tiled. And gorgeous. This picture does not do justice to the random mosaic we saw on our tour. 

The walls of the old medina. (I think...) 

A lovely garden inside the walls.

And a different angle.

It's not just Greece that has the blue and white! 

I'm sorry, this is just cool. 

Rabat, after climbing through the old medina. Any doubts that it is the most gorgeous place ever, as I claimed?

Oh, I'll throw in a picture of myself. Just for kicks and giggles. And because it wasn't a total failure of a hair day. ;) 

French Fry Tagine

Didn't think it was possible? Neither did I.

Guess who was proved wrong.

Me.

Also on the table where shbekia (the dessert I talked about earlier) and dates, and another (different) soup, not pictured. 

Bonus: My impressionistic picture of a Moroccan moon. Just for putting up with all of my food pictures.