Morocco

Wednesday night the 25th of November we headed for Casablanca, Morocco. Not without adventure though. At the Barcelona airport we were noticing that everyone around us checking in for our flight had their checked bags wrapped. As in wrapped with Saran Wrap! We were getting nervous as they all looked like locals and so when we got to the agent we asked her what the deal was and she looked around and leaned in and said "There's trouble in Africa". What the?! Trouble in Africa! What does that even mean?! Haha. As you can imagine, we freaked for a second and then just decided to carry our bags on- apparently "trouble" means they go through your bags and take what they want.
Even with flight attendants who didn't close all the overhead bins or a full suitcase under my seat (not even mine, the guy next to me- it was my good deed of the day) and food that looked expired, we managed to get into Casablanca alive and with all our belongings. Royal Air Maroc wasn't very Royal is all I gotta say.
Luckily Julie was in charge of Casablanca and we stayed in a very nice 3 star hotel with all the fixings even waiters who hit on you and give you roses- that would be Julie. She was quite the hit in Morocco, that light skin and dimples, not to mention bright brown eyes- had men stopping and staring- literally all over the country. Could give a girl a complex ;).
The only major site to see in Casablanca is the Mosque that sits on the ocean. It is the 3rd largest in the world. The other two are in Saudi Arabia and we wouldn't be allowed in, so getting a tour -of this was quite a treat-even if our tour guide spent more time on the phone that with us.

I'm sitting on the wall of the mosque with the Atlantic Ocean behind me. Pretty wild to think I'm on the coast of Africa and on the other side of my own ocean.

The Mosque.

I think they were on a field trip of sorts. They were so stinking cute I had to sneak a picture.

Another outside shot of the Mosque- this is only a sampling, I really did go camera crazy here. It was just so beautiful!

This is inside the Mosque. It holds up to 75,000 people. Our tour guide says its only full during Ramadan. It was amazing inside. The roof opens to give more air since there is no air conditioning.

Back outside.

Here is our tour guide, not on the phone. It was rare but at least she explained each part of the mosque, like this is the bottom of the mosque and they call it the Turkish baths though its not ever been used.

Turkish baths.

Julie chose an authentic Moroccan restaraunt for lunch and it was divine. I had kuskus (sp?) and vegetables with chicken and we were the only ones in there, so we got the royal treatment.

After Casablanca, we jumped on a train to Rabat, the capital of Morocco and went straight for the market. It was insane, as you can tell from Kim's face, but it had everything! From leather jackets to purses to scarves to nuts to movies to shoes. You name it, they sold it.

Breakfast in Rabat- though it really could have been any of our stops. Bread for breakfast seemed to be the theme- not that I'm complaining as I am a Carb Addict.

Kim thought the size of our room key was quite ridiculous. It was, so we had to take a shot of it.

Kim and I posing in a park in Rabat.

Kasbah des Oudaias (don't even ask me how to pronouce that), this was a 12th century fortress on the edge of town in Rabat. People still live here though it has miraculously been preserved quite well.

I had to get a picture of this. Our conceirge told us that the next day (we'd be gone by then) was a holiday in Rabat where everyone barbequed and slaugthered a lamb- don't quite remember the reason for the holiday but it was suppose to be a huge party!

This is just one of the doors to a home in the fortress.

Another door. There was quite a bit of bright blue paint and with the contrast of white stone it looked like I imagine Greece looks- though I've never been there- hopefully my next trip over the pond will include it.

Still at the fortress and still sporting our new scarves.

I had a thing for doors this day.

Sitting on the wall of the fortress with the ocean behind me and a cemetary below. It was a really cool view.

Back to the market. What can I say we couldn't get enough! It was really crazy but definitely a must have experience in Morocco.

I couldn't resist. I mean is this an International Phenomenon or what?!The Twilight Series in Arabic in a mostly Muslim country. Insane.

Speaking of insane. I'm guessing Moroccans are a bit delayed (though the previous picture would prove otherwise) or just obsessed, but this is a Happy Meal with Yoda on it! Ya, the theme was Star Wars and last time I checked there hasn't been any new Star Wars movies in quite some time. Who knew?

Though we were only able to spend two days in Morocco I do feel like we got a good taste of the country. It was rather hectic and chaotic and not nearly as clean as European countries but the people were friendly (minus the men staring at Julie), the food was delicious and the shopping was excellent.

After Morocco we headed back to Paris for another day or so and it was perfect. We lounged around with my parents, had a huge Thanksgiving feast with all the Paris missionaries that my parents-of course-volunteered to feed. It was so wonderful to just spend time with my parents, it is funny that the older I get the harder it is to leave home. They really did make this trip. I am so blessed.