Sofitel Diwan Rabat

... getting some fans. The kids coming to the playroom are suffering from various respiratory illnesses, some quite severe, so I can imagine the oppressive heat isn't good for them. We had about 20 kids today, mostly younger - ranging 2-10 years old. We were really happy to see our girl in traction come in today, because she was out of traction! She walked in on her own and was able to play ...

... us to "sktu!" (be quiet) but nobody did.

There were a couple highlights from the day that really put it over the top. I was playing with one of the little boys, who was one of my favorites, and his mom came in with a disposable camera. I assumed she wanted a picture of him so I moved out of the way. She said, "la, la" (no, no) and waved me over to get in the picture! I was so moved and flattered, I didn't know what ...

... because of the language barrier. I'm afraid they were bored. They are very curious and interested in talking with us, so it's frustrating that we can just have a chat and learn about one another. That's all part of the experience though, and we're trying to work through it and figure out alternate ways to connect. Olivia speaks French, so she tried, but the few kids with any French training understand more than they can ...

After getting up somewhat leisurely, we had a serviceable breakfast in the hotel of fresh orange juice, a crepe like deal which seemed to be very popular in Morocco and croissants. We had a list of questions for Moubarak who answered all of them with aplomb, regarding hotels in other cities and the best way to get to Fez, and as was his helpful wont upon hearing that we were heading to the train station he drove us there in addition to ...

... hours later and 40km out of Rabat, we rock up only to discover that the truck won't fit under the concrete entrance - hilarious!! At least it's a proper campsite with toilets and running water. Leaving the truck out front we grab all our stuff, set up tents with the help of head torches and proceed to build a fire, cook dinner and settle in for the evening. A very interesting end to the day indeed.

... hope that the campsites would be open. I'd rather stick pins in my eyes than stay in Kenitra a moment longer than I had to, so that was that, off to Medhiya. Both campsites were closed and we couldn't find the youth hostel, and just as we stopped to discuss our options (sleeping on the beach for example) we found ourselves outside the Hotel Ibtissama. It was much more expensive than we would normally pay (300) but hey, we'd had a ****** day and we had ...

... at night. But young girls still are distinctly out of place on the street after 10pm or so, and many cafes are strongly under the domination of old men. This is not to say there aren't girls out, or that there aren't slightly different options available. But the things that might be normal in the states are the activities of "bad girls" here. After a typical night playing scrabble at a café with some of my other American friends, a café with curtained windows playing loud ...

... country in the world. Now I have inspiration to become a millionaire! Tomorrow is my last day with my sweet little boys. I am already anticipating an emotional day for myself. I am thinking about stealing Haytem and Majib to come home with me. Hope you don't mind Andra and Ash! Thank you for reading my blog and to those of you that have offered encouraging words and endless support. See you in two days. I love you! As-Salaam Alaaikum. (Peace be upon you)

... ou de se baigner, on décide d'aller à Rabbat voir le palais royal et le mausolée de Mohammed V. Il y a pas mal de monde et c'est vraiment incroyable le travail qui a été mis dans la construction du mausolée. Après avoir vu le palais royal de l'extérieur, on repart pour Meknes. On prend l'apéro au camping et on va manger à la place El Hédine. C'est sympa et très animé. On fait un tour et on va se coucher.