So, Morocco. I think that the trip, although it was only three days was quite possibly the most intense cultural experience I have ever had. I am very lucky in that the way in which I physically look, I can pretty much blend in wherever I go. This was the first time in my life that I have ever felt like I completely stick out. Partially because yes, I am a tourist but partially because I am a woman and not dressed as the others in the culture.
We visited 4 cities in three days: Tetuan, Tangier, Chefchawn, and Assilah. Our first day, we were greeted by our tour guide who called himself Michael Douglas. The resemblance is impeccable:
We were so lucky to have Michael, because he knew so much and was on a mission to show us everything he could. Oh, did I mention we also had two body guards during this time....still not sure if that was so we would all stay together or if it was actually dangerous. In all honesty, it didn't feel that dangerous...our first day was the most "authentic" day though - in that we visited a very busy town and because we dont speak Arabic, they wanted to make sure we were all together. (A lot of people there speak multiple languages because they are taught them growing up - English, French, Spanish, German..the biggies).
We first went to a school where they teach young people the most popular trades of Morocco - woodwork, steel, leather goods, tile making and ceramics. Although, we didnt get to see any students in action because it was a holiday, but we say all of the intricate work that they do.
After this tour, we went to eat lunch. All of the places we ater were very much geared towards Americans - which I was totally fine with. An average meal consisted of about 5 courses: Soup, another dish - sometimes a salad, the main course, fruit, then Moroccan tea and postres. All the food was delicious! At our first meal we also got entertainment:
After lunch, we explored a Medina (a neighborhood) and saw a lot of peoples little shops on the sides of streets (think Aladdin here). We visited the only Jewish synagogue in the city which caters to the 7 Jewish people in the city. As we walked around, Michael ran into lots of people he knew because as he put it "Michael Douglas is famous!". haha. Luckily, Michael knew one of the men running a prayer session at a Mosque and we were able to peer in and watch some little boys learning their prayers (if you are not Muslim, you cannot go into a Mosque, except for certain ones that are designated for educational purposes - so we watched from outside). We also got a surprise visit to a tannery, which made me want to cry. It is basically where they strip the animals of their skin. Mind you, we had no forewarning that we were walking into this, so when I saw it, I freaked, and closed my eyes, stood by the exit and ran out 5 minutes later as soon as he was done speaking. The night ended with us trying our hand at bargaining with local shop keepers.
The next day we visited a city COVERED with murals. Lets say I was in heaven. All the houses were blue and white - blue represents the love of God and white is peace with God. I could have just ran up and down the streets all day taking pictures. The city was very similar to what I think Greece would look like.
Later that day we say the Grotto of Hercules where it is believed that Hercules separated Europe from Africa. In the grotto, the opening of the cave into the sea is Africa backwards...then we rode CAMELS! Afterwards, we bargain shopped, ate dinner and called it a night!
The last day we visited a city that was completely washed with a type of blue-white wash and there were cats everywhere. They believe that dogs are dirty since they cant clean themselves as well as cats can. But there are literally cats everywhere...including restaurants...
The trip was great, but there are some parts that made me very...uneasy. For example, as I mentioned earlier, the women to men difference in social power really just makes me upset but grateful for what I have. It was very rare to see a women out on the streets. Even more so, at the cafes and restaurants, it all men. They very much hold strong to the ideals that there is a difference between the two and that the men seem to hold a higher position. Some places are even restricted depending on your sex. As much as it can be called a cultural difference, I don't understand, nor do I think i will ever understand the purpose. Maybe its because I grew up and know a different type of living but even some of the things our tour guide - Michael Douglas - said struck me as being very closed off thinking in regards to equality. There was also a lot of poverty. It seemed though that for the most part everyone was at the same level. Yes, I am aware that it is a developing country, but to see things and hear about them are two completely different entities. I have also realized that everyone is very set in their own ways and used to their way of living because that is what works best for them and when viewing another group, its easy to think that they are wrong in how they are doing things, but its what they have found as what works best for them and its what they know.
now...Barcelona.
I'm gonna keep this one really short just because this post is so long. Ok. So Barcelona - very much a big city. I am not a fan of the people there at all. Every single time we would go somewhere, my friends and I would have to be extra vigilant because people kept trying to rip us off. When we got lost, they were not helpful, and the people as a whole are very very cold. Therefore, I was very happy to get back to beautiful Sevilla. However, I absolutely LOVED La Sagrada Familia. I went inside and splurged on the audio tour - which was totally worth it. I don't have my pictures uploaded yet, so there aren't pictures with this post buttt....it was probably the coolest most intricate church I have ever been in. There is symbolism out the wazoo and all the specificities are incredible. Its slated to be finished in 2030. We also visited Park Güell (Guadi's Park), so cool and the big market and Musee Picasso. The coolest thing about the Picasso Museum was seeing the section where he tried to copy Las Meninas. He was OBSESSED with it and has about 60 or so renditions of Velasquez's masterpiece. He also died in the 1970's? What? Another highlight: banana frozen yogurt. =)
A few other important things:
*The general election just happened here and Spain has a new President: Rajoy. This means that the political parties in power switched. Oddly enough, I feel like there was not a ton of hype around the elections - not nearly as much as at home.
*For Thanksgiving this week, my program is having a dinner for us =) It's gonna be the first time I am not with family and I am kinda sad about it but so happy that so many of my friends aren't traveling this weekend. AND it is less than a month til I am reunited with my parents.
*Which means logically that, my program is ending in less than a month.
*Lastly, the Starbucks Christmas cups came out and they are even here.....I may treat myself to one....
*I hope everyone has an amazing Thanksgiving!
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