Mon séjour au Maroc

Assalamu alaikum!

I'm here in Morocco being utterly spoiled, and I also have unlimited internet access! Party city!! So I decided to take advantage of this luxury and post another entry. I wish I could add some pictures, but my camera is being annoying.
So, as you know, I decided to come and celebrate Eid with my relatives in Casablanca, which was honestly one of the best decisions of my life. Before leaving, I spent a few days at Nathalie's beautiful house in Ouaga, which also did me some good since we got lots of time to catch up and share lots of stories. I got to the airport at 1am on Tuesday night, which was an interesting experience. Lots of flirty but harmless men can be found at the airport, and it's funny because as soon as you give them some attitude, they kind of begin to respect you and be friendly. While I was waiting for my plane, Val called me (yay!!!!) and we had to cram 3 months of news into 20 minutes, but it was better than nothing and made me super happy! Yay best friends!
Right after we hung up, I received a random love declaration from an airport worker who claimed he was really nervous, since apparently it was the first time he had ever been moved to approach a girl and compliment her. Right...
So yes, I arrived in Morocco and got picked up by the family. It is such a different world...I feel like I'm halfway between Africa and Europe. Come to think of it, I am...ehe...but I mean in terms of lifestyle and infrastructure and culture. The food is unbelievable, and it's so nice to be with family and to be taken care of.
Last time I came here I didn't like Casablanca, but this time around I'm appreciating the city more. Maybe I was more desperate for a change, but regardless of the reason, I'm finding the city bright, alive and comfortable, with lots of cafes, trees, music, and oh, random men who say "assalamu alaikum" in a really seductive way when you pass by...ah, Moroccan flirting. Teehee.
And I thought Ouaga traffic was bad...I'm convinced I almost died numerous times, but fortunately I am still in one piece.I went to the market with my honourary mother (who has proclaimed me her daughter and is determined to marry me to one of her remaining single sons) and I almost cried when I saw all the vegetables and fruits...it was like they were mocking me, reminding me that in Houndé there is nothing that can compare.
I have eaten like a queen here...Moroccan food is undoubtedly the best food in the world. We've eaten tajines, couscous, crepes, a ton of fresh fruit, moroccan pastries, soups, salads, fresh juices, you name it. How am I going to go back to rice and tomato paste and maggi cubes!! HOW???!!! Bo.
It was lovely to finish Ramadan here as well, since I felt a bit more at home and fasting was much easier. One night we went for evening prayer in the famous Hassan II mosque right beside the water, and it was so full (with 60.000 people) that we joined those who were praying outside on the courtyard beside the ocean. It was absolutely beautiful.
The night before Eid, Nadia and I went to a hammam, the traditional Moroccan baths. It was super chic, and we had someone do gommage, meaning you lie on a table and someone scrubs you down with an exfoliating glove. I was nice and red afterwards, but probably 5 pounds lighter without all the dirt, grime and dust that she had scrubbed out of me. That night, at 1am, my aunt told me she wanted to do henna. We sat in the living room and she did traditional henna on my hands and feet. I desperately needed to sleep, so we wrapped me up in old cloths and the next morning my henna was still intact!
On Eid day the whole family was here, and I helped prepare a giant plate of couscous, which can only be described as perfect. I decided to eat it Moroccan style and make the little couscous balls in my hand, but it is not easy. I ended up having a little mountain of couscous piled up in front of me, but it didn't matter...I was in the world of delightful taste sensations, and nothing could take away the joy. Hehehe. If you think I exaggerate, you have never tried homemade moroccan couscous.
I also got to talk to my family in a video conversation on Eid day, and it was so nice since I haven't seen them since I left. Adam is taller than I am now!!!
Yesterday Nadia, Ayoub and I went for a walk along the beach, watched the sunset and went for ICE CREAM (hallelujah!) at the best glacier in Morocco. Another delightful taste sensation.
We then got picked up by Younes, crammed way too many people into a very small car, and drove out of the city to a restaurant where you choose your meat at the butcher stall, then have it prepared for you. You eat it with traditional bread and mint tea. I ate heart for the firs ttime in my life, and though it tasted good, I was having a psychological issues eating it. Oh well!! One must always try something new, I suppose. I was so stuffed I could hardly breathe.
Ok...I just realized that the majority of this blog entry is focussed around food. Oh well!
I go back to BF tomorrow night, get back to work on Thursday, then next week I have to go to Bobo for a Uniterra meeting, where I have to present the work we've done so far to all the BF Uniterra workers and volunteers. In French. Blast.

So, I hope this entry wasn't too tedious, not even for my brother. Lots of love from Morocco!
Sara