University

Today after classes and couscous, I went with Salma to check out her university. Everyone was so friendly; all the students wanted to introduce themselves and ask me about the US, politics, the education system, how I found Morocco. A group of girls even asked to have their picture taken with me. I'm going to try to head back and make a few presentations to various classes, and then open things up for a Q&A session (especially to answer questions about international education).

During the short break between her classes at the university and the language center, we headed to the Jaamlfna (alternately spelled "Jaam el fna"). I got a gorgeous pair of shoes, a lantern, three pieces of jewelry, and 7 shawls -- all for about $50. I almost feel bad. (Almost.)

After the Essaouira snafu), I wanted to vent to someone outside the group before heading into the Sahara with these people. I called Jafar up and he seemed game to listening to me vent. Besides -- I could help figure out what food to buy for the trip. We walked past the French Market (on the way showing Wendy, Ian, and Rachel to a cozy little restaurant for dinner), and gabbed while picking up yummy Moroccan and Spanish tins and packages. We lapse into French, Spanish, English, and a little bit of Arabic while chatting, which of course makes me feel much cooler than I really am.

As we stood at the fruit stand, he said in a very serious tone, "you owe me 100 dirham." He got out a little red book at showed me a note he had made. He had lent me money before I was able to get any dollars exchanged. I burst out laughing, completely caught off guard by his loan shark tendencies. I paid for the fruit.

Posted 11:59 PM (GMT)