Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Final day Rabat

Rabat is a city where old and new meet.  There is the old medina with 11th century walls. The new city surrounds the walls and spills out along the water front.  Like a typical large city, the streets are filled with brisk moving taxis and people. I felt like each time I crossed the street I was taking my life in my hands. There are many vibrant shops and restaurants. The prices here seem a lot higher, but you can still bargain for a more "democratic" price.

Rabat is on the Atlantic Ocean and the city boasts a seaside area with beaches.  It was interesting to see Moroccan beach attire. The women were covered from head to toe and the men were shirtless in micro sized shorts. There was a fairground with amusement park rides by an ocean inlet with happy fair goers. It was first time in awhile that I felt like I was in America again.

In Rabat we met at an education center called Pen and Tablet. The group of educators there have a highly organized global outreach program. I enjoyed the organized layout of their school and watching the students from their Arabic program complete their final projects.  Over lunch we discussed the similarities and differences of the Moroccan education system. We also discussed a continued partnership.

On my final night in my Morocco I decided to eat one last tajin meal. The meal began with washing my hands in rose water. Grilled eggplant was served as the first course. It was followed by a tajin of prunes and beef with sesame seeds. After the meal I drank mint tea and ate mixed fruit cocktail.  The dessert was sort of fitting in that I can't help but think Morocco is a bit like a fruit cocktail in that the it's blend if many different things that all go together beautifully.

Final impressions, Morocco is not like any place I could ever imagine. I had my initial stereotyped expectation, camels and sand, though I was quite wrong. Morocco is mountains and plains.  Morocco is the past and present living side by side. Morocco is where Africa and Europe meet. Morocco is generous people. Morocco is spices.  Morocco is amazing!

Massalama (for now)!

The Traveling Educator








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