Villa Mandarine Guest House Rabat

... the other kids - gently. Up until now, she's been rigged up in that contraption and has only been able to sit at the table coloring. She still has the metal band bolted in her head, but it isn't hooked up to the weights. I hope she is progressing to the next phase of treatment. Her mom didn't hover at all, but was definitely keeping an eye on her to make sure she didn't get too rowdy ...

... say - I hope the picture turned out well! Also, another little boy had two cookies for a snack and offered me one. Some of the kids aren't great with the concept of sharing, so that gesture really made me happy (and the cookie was delicious!). It's amazing how quick these kids form attachments, but it makes the work that much more enjoyable. I think Olivia and I are getting pretty attached to them too. :-)

Off to Fes ...

... Kids here learn classical Arabic first, then study French beginning around 3rd-4th grade. We had a new visitor to the playroom. She is about 11 years old, in a wheelchair and what looks like a medieval form of traction. It's hard to explain and I wish I could draw a picture, but please try to use your imagination. And, not, I'm not exaggerating. Her head is in a metal brace (vice?) with bolts literally screwed into her ...

Bonjour! We arrived in Rabat yesterday. I must admit that our hotel is pretty ghetto-ish - ok, very ghetto-ish, and I will take pics of it later. But this morning we got a quick tour of the National Library of Morocco!! I was like a kid in a candy store: The person who gave us a tour only spoke French, but luckily a rotarian was with us to translate. Beautiful library, and I will post pics the next time I have wi-fi (wee-fee) access. I am also typing on the weird keyboard again ...

... military housing complex that is now occupied by the general population. Although we were lead by a psuedo-guide the sights and information were plentiful. We stopped for a tea with fresh mint before heading back to pack up and move on to the next city. On our way back a small corner shop caught our attention. There was a man, who had an advanced level of English, making plaques with arabic writing on them ...

... us a discount upon our arrival the last night before our flight out. Although I thought my french was fairly clear and the ticket sellers queried me twice, it appeared that I paid for return tickets for all 3 of us to my predictable annoyance. We didn't actually realize this until the train conductor merely marked our tickets and handed them back to us, whereupon I examined them closely. Silly me, expecting the government ticket ...

Had a great sail from Gibraltar to Rabat, leaving the straits we did 8 -9knts, no engines, so lovely. The next morning was very calm and pleasant but little wind and so we had to motor all the way. There were large waves breaking against the walls at the entrance to the river making us a bit nervous as we tried to check the conditions thru the binoculars. After radioing the marina a few times of our arrival and knowing we ...

... few choices. So we have a room with a balcony (great, because it means we can dry the tent out) and kitchen area (although the fridge isn't plugged in and there's no cooker which doesn't matter because we have nothing to put in the fridge and no food to cook!) and we have our own bathroom with plenty of hot water. Isn't it always the way, just as you've got to the point where all you can do is moan (which is how we both were today when we arrived ...

... Arabic music caught our attention. And from the door we even glimpsed something entirely new amongst Ramadan nightlife-girls dancing. Excited by a possible change of pace, we entered. I wouldn't say there was necessarily anything distinctly bad occurring - there was definitely no alcohol being sold, and the dancing, if comparatively provocative at times, was of a distinctly friendly nature. But even if the behavior was within the sanctions of a high school dance, the curtains were ...

ugggh i am NOT feeling well. im laying in bed after getting up from my second nap of the day. i brushed my teeth with the water last night so i am thinking maybe thats it?? or its the kids? i dont know but it sucks! i havent eaten anything all day so all i have been doing is dry heaving. paints a cute picture for you doesnt it? it was torturous working at the orphanage this morning ...