Hotel d'Orsay Rabat

... was visited by the Phoenicians for trade, then taken over by the Romans in 40 BC, as it became the Westernmost outpost of the Roman Empire, Sala Colonia. Their forum and walled enclosure is still in tact, called the Chellah, after the original name of the Moroccan town.

Rabat has been a sanctuary and hotbed over the centuries. Favored by the Berber and Almohad tribes, it was the center of Morocco’s greatest kingdom during the ...

... it as well. I'm thankful for them, as their input really enhanced the presentation.

I shopped 'til I dropped this week since it was crunch time to buy gifts and souvenirs. I went to the medina twice and a pottery village once. I've gotten more comfortable haggling for prices, and think I got some good deals (that's what I'm telling myself anyway). Khadija picked out a few CD's for me because I wanted some traditional Saharan ...

... br>
This afternoon we took a field trip to Chellah, which is located in Rabat. It is a site of some ruins from a mosque from the 14th century. As was Volubulus, it is bee-you-ti-ful! We walked through a garden area full of lush trees, bushes and flowers, and then came upon a bunch of trees filled to the brim with storks! We heard the chirping from far away, but I never dreamed the source of the chirping was several thousand storks. It was ...

... and I was thrilled - my first official conversation in Arabic! It was only a few words but I felt very proud. A couple of the moms arrived in their robes and slippers to drop off their little ones. I'm sure they wanted to bathe and get dressed in peace. If I didn't mention this before, the moms move into the hospital with their kids for the course of their child's stay. Many of them are there a long time as they have to raise the ...

... run after it and it will stop if the driver sees you. The process can slow things down so I'm not sure there are schedules persay, but things happen in their own time here. It's really not that much different than the CTA bus system in Chicago. :-) Well, I need to dash. I wrote all this before, went to send it, and the internet connection dropped. I had to re-do half of it! Will write more as things unfold this week. Hope all is well. B'esselama, Patty

... horses at the entrance, and adjacent is a Mauseleum to Muhamed V, the grandfather of the current King. Afterwards we walked up the long Embassy lined street (Rabat is the capital of Morocco) to the chella. The Chella is an old castle with both Islamic and Roman ruins. It now resembles an overgrown garden and stork nests top all the towers. With all the ruined buildings and wildlife it sort of has a lost world feel to it. Next onto the train on our way to Marrakkech

... layers of clothing as possible. Socks, leggings, trousers, jeans, thermals, singlets, long sleep tops, jumpers and jackets - it was all going on, except the Jelaba which I was saving to bedtime. Once again within no time at all we were greeted by a local shepherd who started to clear rocks for us in order to make a fire. Cook group started prepping for dinner... really didn't envy them. The rest of us ...

30th September 2008 Hotel Dhormi, Rabat Warm and noisy It was only 40kms to Rabat today, which was good because we were both a bit tired. The guys were up all night with their 'disco' and it was VERY loud. However, I woke up at about 1230, noticed they were still going but went back to sleep almost immediately. Next thing it was 7am, but still didn't get out of bed till 8! So off we went at 9 in glorious sunshine, leaving Medhiya Plage behind us. It's a shame really ...

... around her and overflowed out of the stroller. The enjoyment grown up people get from seeing adorably miniature versions of adults is clearly a universal. I could have stayed and observed the scene for hours, but Iman was slowly progressing towards tears, and we had to scoop her up and head home. We were able to get one quick photo of Iman in a lacy black Djellaba and head scarf, her scarlet lips puffed in a confused pout before she broke ...

... I'm not quite sure, either, which is the more trying part: the language and culture adjustment, or the feeling that I have to learn, see, and do more so that I can fully realize this amazing experience. Perhaps in that way I need the calming effect of Ramadan simply to make sure that I don't trip over my own feet with anxious excitement. I'd write more, but it's just about time for dinner number two, and I think I need to stretch before eating anymore.