We left the embassy late, and missed lunch at a famous restaurant in Rabat, called Ch'hiwates so our facilitators found another good lunch spot and everyone enjoyed another meal together. After lunch, we visited one of the top schools in the city, Moulay Youssef High School. The Principal and staff are very proud of the levels of achievement they have reached as a school community. After a campus tour, we were allowed to enter classes as a group and ask/answer questions.
When I asked a class "What is your favorite thing about school?,...What do you like most about school?" The classroom filled with laughter on the part of students and teachers. As we left, I said "I guess they don't like school", Todd said, "They just weren't ready for you yet." Snicker. There was a tea break with more of that Moroccan strong green tea with mint and sugar. Delicious.
When the last bell of the day rang, students ran out to speak with us and we were able to connect on a much more personal level. A group picture was taken by the courtyard fountain including the TGC teachers, local administrators and students. Everyone was having a good time.
I'm not sure how many selfie photos were taken in the next 10 minutes but many of us took pictures with students before it was time to go back to the bus. Most students were beaming. It is not often they are visited by teachers from the U.S.. We could tell they knew this was a big deal. "The Principal wished us au revoir! and we headed to the Kasbah.
The Kasbah of the Udayas is situated on a rocky cliff, overlooking a cemetery, a beach and the city of Sale, across the river. It is what remains of the old city and used to serve as a royal fort. According to sources, the old city of Ribat, was built at this place in 977 AD. It was defended by the Almoravids. The Almohads took over from the Amoravids around the year 1140 and rebuilt the old city/fort in 1150.
It is a spectacle because standing on the top of the kasbah, one can look out to the west and there is nothing between them and America, other than the Atlantic Ocean. The beach below had the Surf Club of King Mohammed VI and some young people were playing soccer in the sandy field they marked by scraping lines in the sand. Even from the overlook, the waves can be heard making landfall and the elegant ocean spray can be seen.
Some of the narrow alleyways and walking paths in the old city are painted bright blue and white like typical Mediterranean old world cities. Some people don't know Morocco has both an Atlantic and Mediterranean coastline. That's what makes it such a strategic point, joining North Africa and the European continent across the Straits of Gibraltar. There were peddlers, art/gift shops and at least one restaurant with a view of the water scattered throughout the maze of pathways winding around the ancient fort. Great place to end a day out.
A group of us went to dinner at a place called Aya Rosa. The food was good and I was reminded French fried potatoes are a main staple of the Moroccan diet. A few skewers of beef, chicken, kafta, lamb and some veggies helped stave off evening hunger. Of course there was plenty of bread and olives. The walks there and back were pleasant.
On the way back I stopped on the sidewalk to video a passing train for my students. The rest of the group kept moving. When two of them turned around to see where I was, they couldn't see me because there were trees between us and they were some distance down the street. They began to yell for me and I jogged to catch up. They said they couldn't see me and were looking but only saw trees. I thanked them for their concern. This cohort looks out for one another. That's why it's a pleasure to travel with them.
Another day before the rides to Temara begin.
Have a great night!
OinM
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