Holy Smokes.

i'm done. I'm Done. I'M DONE!!! I can't believe it. I just took my last final, checked out of my dorm, shipped my luggage off to Casablanca, and said a few very sad goodbyes. I can't even process it completely right now. I'm sad and happy and excited and terrified all at the same time.. Which, come to think of it, was exactly how I felt when I left Montana. I have a few more blog entries to do, and 16 more days in this beautiful country with some amazing people. Tomorrow I head to the desert to ride camels and play in the sand, then it's Morocco Road Trip 4.0. Hopefully sometime during that time I will catch up on the last few entries and say some final goodbyes. More News Soon!

Oh, and that's me, my friend Alyssa, and the Frog I brought to a party.

You Might Be In Morocco If..

This is purely for the entertainment of my lovely friends. Time here is winding down, and I want to try and get my final thoughts in before I....  (tear/gulp/chin quiver/smile/gulp/tear) Leave.

You Might Be In Morocco If...

You use an (english) adjective and then the word “Bizaff”.

Traveling with seven people stuffed like sardines into an old Mercedes-Benz seems to be a normal form of transport.

You know that Camels taste good.

Following a stranger down a dark ally is a normal way to find housing for the night.

You think the Grand Hotel is where dreams die.. Or where dreams are fulfilled. Sometimes both happen in the same night.

40 Moroccan Dirhams (about 5 US Dollars) is a splurge for a meal.

Your weekdays are used to plan your traveling weekends.

Coucous Friday is the best lunch of the week.

You e-mail your parents begging for American peanut butter. When it arrives, it's better than Christmas.

As a female, you have been called a “Spice Girl” “Shakira” or asked if you could be traded for camels.

You brag about bargaining, asking for directions in another language, or finding your way around an Old Medina.

Twelve people eating off of one plate is a perfectly acceptable way to serve a meal. You are happy when everyone has some sort of eating utensil.

You have made some of the best friends you will ever have, and can not imagine your life without these new friends in it.  

Food!

   I thought about doing this entry a couple of days ago while I was suffering from a serious case of food poisoning, which I am honestly surprised I have avoided this long, but I put it off until tonight. Awhile ago I stumbled across a project showing the differences in eating habits, food culture, and food availability around the world. The link was on my previous post, but you can also see it here if you are too lazy to scroll down. Since I don't really have time to assemble a Moroccan family with all their groceries,  I thought I would give a quick breakdown of food prices in Morocco.

1 Kilo (2.2 lbs) of "Kefta" or Ground Beef with spices - $10.60 USD

    This is the most expensive item on the food list, and is not usually available to poor people

4 Large tomatoes, onions, or peppers (when in season)- $1.17 USD

      I buy a lot of vegetables, and can usually feed four people a good mixture for about $2 

One medium-sized bag of "Lays" potato chips- $2.35

1 Kilo of strawberries- $1-$3USD, Depending on the season

1-1.5 Kilo of "Harsha", a hard, flat cake similar to cornbread- $1.41 USD

    This is delicious, often freshly cooked with jam, nutella or honey 

One Glass of Fresh-Squeezed Orange Juice- $0.50-$1USD  

1 Kilo of Almonds- $7 USD 

One glass of sweet mint tea or coffee- $1 USD 

One 8oz bottle of "Especial" Beer $2-$3USD

Food at a restaurant obviously varies greatly, from fancy sushi at $50 a plate to sandwiches that cost less than a dollar. It has been estimated (thanks to my lovely roommate) that a family would spend about $412 on food per month. 

Some pictures of my local grocery store.