One month ago today we arrived here in Casablanca. We were tired, wary and skeptical about what we would find upon our arrival, but we're happy to report that Casablanca has welcomed us with open arms. There has been so much to see and so much to do and when you add nearly four weeks of school on top of that you get two very tired people! And for those of you who don't know this is the perfect time to say that the school was so impressed with Becky that she is now the school's full time substitute and when she isn't subbing she's helping out in the lower elementary and preschool.
And now to catch you up on what has been happening the past few weeks.
Two weeks ago Friday we were taken out to a really fancy restaurant by one of the founders of the school and wined and dined to our hearts' content. Everything was so delicious! Becky had an amazing steak and I had foie gras and duck. For dessert I ordered something with Grand Marnier in it and we were all surprised when it arrived!
And now to catch you up on what has been happening the past few weeks.
Two weeks ago Friday we were taken out to a really fancy restaurant by one of the founders of the school and wined and dined to our hearts' content. Everything was so delicious! Becky had an amazing steak and I had foie gras and duck. For dessert I ordered something with Grand Marnier in it and we were all surprised when it arrived!
For more pictures of our meal click here.
The next day we accompanied one of our co-workers to the French Market located near the Twin Center. Amazing. You wouldn't believe the fresh fruit and vegetables, the meat (including bacon), flowers, spices, truffles. And it was only a little over a 30 minute walk away!
For more of the market click here.
The next week was extremely busy with school including International Dress day. Hopefully we'll get pictures up soon, but as we took so many pictures of students we first need to wait for the signed photo release from parents.
And then...Becky's birthday!!! The night before her birthday we went out for pizza with the other teachers in our building and then came back for a four layer chocolate cake that I made with Becky's help.
For more birthday pictures click here.
On Sunday we celebrated Becky again and made a day of it. We started off with breakfast at a lovely French restaurant called Chez Paul where we had delicious omelets, pastries, fresh orange juice, coffee and tea.
A few hours later it was off to the Hassan II Mosque with our neighbor and co-worker Nikki. It was breathtaking. Pictures don't begin to show the size and magnitude of the structure so maybe the following facts will help:
It is the 3rd largest mosque in the world surpassed only by the mosques in Mecca and Medina.
It is the largest minaret in the world.
It can hold 25,000 worshipers.
It also has a retractable roof and we were lucky enough to be there on one of the days when it was open. It was amazing to look up past the walls and roof and see the pigeons swooping there in front of the minaret.
We then went below to the ablution room where worshipers go to wash before prayer. From the room we could look up through glass in the ceiling and see where we had just been. From the right angles we could even see the sky. We then went to one of the mosques hammams or baths. The tour then ended and we headed out to the plaza surrounding the mosque, but not before I got a picture of the inside of a restroom. Enjoy that picture.
Outside we hung out and took in the view of the mosque while watching local boys jump off the walls into the sea below. We then decided to head off to the ancient medina which is the old walled city that the modern city has built up around before heading to dinner at Rick's. It is in the medina where Casablanca most resembles the movie. We were going to take a taxi, but thinking we were tourists the driver tried charging us a crazy rate so we got out and just started walking. It was tiring, but fun and we happened upon a Moroccan wedding which was a real treat. Finally we found an honest taxi driver and we made it to the medina only to decide that we wanted to eat so we walked back most of what we'd just ridden and, as Rick's didn't open until later, we ended up at La Sqala which is a beautiful restaurant located in what used to be an old fort. Though a bit pricy the ambiance was wonderful. We headed home that evening tired, but happy in our new city that is now our home.
For all the pictures from Celebration Sunday click here.
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