has been crazy! I found out on Wednesday, that it was actually Wednesday and not Tuesday. I was shocked, needless to say.
Two new volunteers joined our home yesterday (Rebecca, who was in Strasbourg this past semester, and Wade, who was in Italy). As a runner, Rebecca is motivating Alex and I to go running. Today was our first time running since we've been here, and I'll admit, I was really nervous when I heard Rebecca say she can run for hours...We went on an hour jog/run along the coast and it was beautiful once you get past the congested streets. The fumes got to me, and I felt really sick during the last stretch, but it was worth it.
In the afternoon, we went to Al-Mustaqabal. Our chapter here began with a lecture on camel meat today by none other than Khalid (I think this was the second or third lecture on camel meat). He's been eating it for three years, every Saturday because that's when the camels are freshly butchered. He said his friend only eats camel fat (I don't doubt this is an exaggeration, but that's what Khalid claims!) which is the cause at his great health and longevity (97). He told me to prepare for eating camel meat. That I need to be robust.
On our way back to take the Grand Taxi, Khalid led us through the souk and actually let us buy food! I think he's beginning to trust us, though when we asked about buying beans or couscous, he would first ask us if we knew how to make it, then forbid us from buying it until we knew how he made it. I bought some anyways. This wasn't as bad as when Terry tried to stop to get some cheap ice cream. The look on Khalid's face! He motioned Terry toward him, lecturing Terry on how horrible ice cream is for you. Oh Terry. You should know better.
My haul: I bought 1/2 kilo of delicious dried figs for $2, a kilo of carrots for $0.50, cucumbers, bananas, ginger, insimin, bread, unidentified flat bread which I will show a picture of later, 1/2 kilo of couscous all for less than $3. If there's anything I love about Morocco, it is the food and especially the prices. I will be satisfied living in a culture with deliciously cheap food.
At a herb stand (with a large quantity of mint), a man working behind it poured us a small glass of Moroccan mint tea to sip. Our second of the day. It was the best tea I have ever had in my life. I have had Moroccan tea on several other occasions throughout my trip, including today, but this one was so complex and indescribable. We gushed over it, and praised it heavily, begging Khalid and the man for the recipe. The ingredients are simple: black tea, mint, and lots of sugar. Moroccans always put a ton of sugar in it. Khalid then proceeded to explain to us, in detail, the process of making tea. He told us to call him if we had any questions, to call him. Then get this. As soon as we get home, he called to make sure if we got home okay, then told Rebecca to call him tonight to make sure she made the mint tea alright. I love this guy. He really is our Moroccan father.
Two new volunteers joined our home yesterday (Rebecca, who was in Strasbourg this past semester, and Wade, who was in Italy). As a runner, Rebecca is motivating Alex and I to go running. Today was our first time running since we've been here, and I'll admit, I was really nervous when I heard Rebecca say she can run for hours...We went on an hour jog/run along the coast and it was beautiful once you get past the congested streets. The fumes got to me, and I felt really sick during the last stretch, but it was worth it.
In the afternoon, we went to Al-Mustaqabal. Our chapter here began with a lecture on camel meat today by none other than Khalid (I think this was the second or third lecture on camel meat). He's been eating it for three years, every Saturday because that's when the camels are freshly butchered. He said his friend only eats camel fat (I don't doubt this is an exaggeration, but that's what Khalid claims!) which is the cause at his great health and longevity (97). He told me to prepare for eating camel meat. That I need to be robust.
On our way back to take the Grand Taxi, Khalid led us through the souk and actually let us buy food! I think he's beginning to trust us, though when we asked about buying beans or couscous, he would first ask us if we knew how to make it, then forbid us from buying it until we knew how he made it. I bought some anyways. This wasn't as bad as when Terry tried to stop to get some cheap ice cream. The look on Khalid's face! He motioned Terry toward him, lecturing Terry on how horrible ice cream is for you. Oh Terry. You should know better.
My haul: I bought 1/2 kilo of delicious dried figs for $2, a kilo of carrots for $0.50, cucumbers, bananas, ginger, insimin, bread, unidentified flat bread which I will show a picture of later, 1/2 kilo of couscous all for less than $3. If there's anything I love about Morocco, it is the food and especially the prices. I will be satisfied living in a culture with deliciously cheap food.
At a herb stand (with a large quantity of mint), a man working behind it poured us a small glass of Moroccan mint tea to sip. Our second of the day. It was the best tea I have ever had in my life. I have had Moroccan tea on several other occasions throughout my trip, including today, but this one was so complex and indescribable. We gushed over it, and praised it heavily, begging Khalid and the man for the recipe. The ingredients are simple: black tea, mint, and lots of sugar. Moroccans always put a ton of sugar in it. Khalid then proceeded to explain to us, in detail, the process of making tea. He told us to call him if we had any questions, to call him. Then get this. As soon as we get home, he called to make sure if we got home okay, then told Rebecca to call him tonight to make sure she made the mint tea alright. I love this guy. He really is our Moroccan father.
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