Update: Morocco

I know it has been a while since I let the rest of the world know what has been going on here in Morocco, but there has been so much going on! Lots of traveling and awesome adventures to discover the true nature of Morocco. The second weekend here some friends and I traveled to the beach town of Asilah, which was just ridiculously fabulous. Good food and an incredible beach called Paradise Beach that totally lives up to its name. I got a great swordfish steak for like 60 dh which is about 8 dollars. It is pretty great living in a developing nation for that reason, you can live fairly lavishly for pretty cheap. The highlight of the trip there was probably the daily hike to the beach though. It was a couple mile hike that went along the cliffs above the beach and it was so pretty. Then we would get to the beach and relax for several hours, playing in the waves, taking naps or just hanging out talking. Then back to the hotel in the evening and we would go out for drinks and dinner. It was a great weekend and I was loath to return to school.

School isn't that rough though, 4 hours of arabic in the morning, then usually a lecture in the afternoon. Some of the lectures are interesting, some are not and those are the ones that usually get tuned out. Things are pretty relaxed, really for the first time in my college career I feel like a genuine college student, probably because I'm kind of slacking off and having lots of fun. As opposed to being the normal responsible student I am. But this is kind of a vacation anyways and I am definately enjoying it. Especialy since there is a 2.5 to 1 girl to guy ratio amongst my program....and that is all Ill say on that subject.
Last weekend we had our first official excursion and went to Marakesh and Essarioua. Marakesh is very touristy and felt pretty fake. Morocco has really very little to offer the world market as far as goods and they are desparetly trying to make up for it in tourism. So Marakesh being a tourist center was very done up, it was interesting walking around the Jar El Efna, a huge square, and soaking things in. Some of the group; including me went to Pacha, which is the largest club in North Africa while we were there. That was pretty swanky, plush couches the house techno vibe pulsing constantly and a packed dance floor all rounded out a perfect night. Did not hit the hay until about 5am then got up at 7 for the bus ride to Essarioua. We spent two nights in Essarioua attending the Gnawa festival, which is the biggest Moroccan youth music festival. That was really nice to since it was on the beach which made things infinetly cooler. Hell I had to bust out a long sleeve shirt.
Back to school for another week of lecture and arabic classes. My arabic is improving by leaps and bounds, I can actually hold short conversations with my family now which is nice. Anna maashee min la plage hul habbebette. Hahaha, they love that one.
For the 4th there was a party at the American embassy and we all got loaded up on hot dogs, hamburgers and a real swimming pool. Then some of us went to TGI Fridays. Yeah thats right, Fridays. Right now I am reeling from the effects of a cold, not swine flu. Hopefully Ill bounce out of it soon for the next excursion to Oussiane and Cheffouen next weekend.
No pictures right now because I am on Yessines ordinator, but check out either my webalbum or my facebook and there are tons of pics up.
Hope everything is going well back in the good ol US of A and ill talk with you all later!