This Title Should Be in Arabic

I'm a couple days behind, but I just got back from a 5-day trip to Morocco, sponsored by IES (my study abroad program)...So as not to go through each day with a fine-toothed comb, here's a few highlights:

•Gibraltar- We started by driving from Granada to Gibraltar so we'd be ready to brave the strait over to Morocco the following day. Turns out this place was well worth a stopover, as Gibraltar is basically an alternate universe. As a bit of background, it's a British possession on the tip of Spain, in sight of Morocco. We played with monkeys, walked through some caves complete with an auditorium inside, talked to our guide in Spanglish (the actual language), climbed the rock of Gibraltar, and ate at a pub that offered fish and chips, sangria, and curry. I've been trying to describe this place for a couple of days, and haven't come up with anything better than a comparison to a dream in which you can't quite explain to others what was wrong with the situation. The mixture of Spaniards, Englishmen, Arabs, Jews, Genoese, and Indians probably had something to do with it. It was also founded by Hercules.

•Camel rides- Tourist thrill, but still fun. Especially after working with a camel all of last summer that I never got to ride.

•Home-stay families- Part of this trip was living with Moroccan families in Rabat, the capital, for 2 days. Because of a mixup, I ended up with 2 different families, which was fine. The first lived in an old house, with an open patio, tall ceilings, and rooms with bed/couches lining the walls. The second family consisted of a young couple, who showed my roommate and I their wedding album and let us try on wedding dresses. However, the highlight was trying to communicate with a 9 year old neighbor who was just learning English. I attempted to say some really impressive things in Arabic ("I like green tea"/"My name is"), which I'm starting to study, so we finally got him to ask us a couple of questions and talk about football.

•Wandering around Rabat's market with some university students. I spent most of my time talking to two sisters, one of which spoke English, and the other who spoke Spanish. It was an interesting language triangle consisting of Arabic, French, English, and Spanish. This was just one of many experiences which impressed upon me the importance that Moroccans place on learning languages. Most people with any education are fluent in Arabic and French, and most also can speak some or all of the following: English, Spanish, Berber, German, Italian.

•Visit to a rural town- We got the chance to eat in a family's home and ask them questions. It was just really nice to get out of the city for a little while, and wander among the donkeys, chickens, and mountains.

•Bargaining- Definitely an activity that everyone should try at least once in their life.

This trip was one reason I chose to study in Granada, and I think it was well worth it. I was really impressed by how well everything was coordinated, and the chances to talk to *gasp* Moroccans. My program is not equally as good at that in Granada; it's been a little difficult to meet Spaniards, as we haven't been given many opportunities through IES, outside of professors and host families.

Some pictures!














Monkeys in Gibraltar.














The view from the hike up the rock of Gibraltar.


















Lest I forget to mention the food. We ate cous-cous, pictured here, three times.














A sampling of what the markets looked like.















Some camels forlornly looking at their fellows, who are being ridden by us.


















The room where I slept in the first house.













Walk in the countryside.














A view of Chefchaouen, our final stop. I only wish it had an "i" in its name.