Time to catch up!

      So blogging hasn't happened in awhile for a couple reasons: 1) a broken computer, which was the source of MUCH panic-turns out there isn't a single place in North Africa that fixes macs. Lucky I have smart friends. and 2) midterms. Turns out that the STUDY part of "studying abroad" is an actual thing. Who knew? But I still have two major adventures to talk about, and some minor details. Are we ready? If you're still reading I'll take that as a yes.

    Two weeks ago my Moroccan friend Nour invited a group of us to his home in Casablanca. He let the six of us stay in his house (which was beautiful!) and his mother cooked two of the best meals I have eaten in Morocco. Both of them were eaten Moroccan style, where a large plate is placed in the center and everyone eats from it.

I didn't get a picture of the DELICIOUS couscous, but it was also Nour's mother's birthday, and this was her cake

 Typical Moroccan houses and cool for two reasons: couches are an essential piece of furniture no matter where you go. They line the walls of all living areas, making it easy just lounge around. They also are built vertically: each successive staircase led to a larger room, with the kitchen on the ground floor and the living room/balcony on the top. As I learned in Islamic Architecture class, they are "inward looking" usually surrounded by high walls that block the view of anyone standing on the street. It was so great to stay in a real house and eat a real home cooked meal, two things that dorm life sorely lacks.
    Casablanca itself was pretty great as well, we went to the Hassan II mosque, the largest in the world, and the only mosque in Morocco open to non-muslims. The sheer size was overwhelming, the decorations elaborate, and since I'm taking the aformentioned Islamic Architecture class, it was interesting to see what I had been learning about in real life. We also go to shop eat "real stores" (aka European stores with fixed prices and name brands) and eat Sushi for lunch, two things that are hard to get in Morocco.

Me and the worlds tallest minaret

      It was also interesting to see the city that I spent my first night in Morocco in. My first day here was just so overstimulating, I could now take a step back and not be so overwhelmed. I'd call that points for cultural adaptation.