Kait's in Morocco
My name is Kaitlin Daddona. I'm a sophomore at Boston University, studying in Rabat for the summer! Thanks for following me on my amazing journey!
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Definitely check out my main blog, Life is my Anti Drug for daily posts!
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I’m finally home! My travels were long and exhausting but fantastic all the same time. I am so grateful to be back in the wonderful city of Boston. Above are a few pictures of the farewell dinner at the CCCL.
I’ve realized a whole new sense of acknowledgement and appreciation inside myself. A few things I’ve definitely noticed that I love in America:
- The drivers (yes, even the Boston ones).
- The fresh, clean, summery air.
- The kind people, and not being harassed.
One thing I noticed that MUST be changed?:
- The obesity.
We’ll get there :). Thank you, everybody, for following my blog. I had a great time posting!
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Al-Magreb: Day 45- Wednesday, July 13, 2011
The Take Away Points
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- Presents for all the fam-check.
- Wonderful video chatting day with Zachary.
- Is this real life?
Wow, I leave in four days. I cannot believe it. I’m to the point where it doesn’t even feel real. I haven’t updated my blog in a while, which is disappointing, but I’ve been busy yet bored, so there really hasn’t been too much to say! (I have tried to upload videos, but unfortunately Tumblr hasn’t been agreeing with me).
After a great workout and laying out at the beach (I love how those things are both part of my everyday schedule), I had a very low key class. I was able to Skype with Zachary before, after, and during class time, which was really nice. Today was my last time seeing his face until the airport pick up, so I’m so pumped. He invited Lindsey to stay over at the house, since she has an overnight in Boston until her flight to New York, so it’ll be nice to not have to say goodbye to her right away!
Around 6:00, Beka, Teneshia, Lindsey and I went to do a bit more last minute shopping, of course. Buying things is extremely addicting here- everything is so much cheaper, so you become a bit obsessed. I bought a few more movies which I’m super excited about: Chloe, The Book of Eli, and The Town. They are definitely going to be useful during my SEVEN HOUR layover in Paris (not looking forward to it).
I also secured presents for all members of my family back at home, which is a relief. It is SO easy to buy for women and girls here, but very difficult to buy for men.
When I wake up tomorrow, I will only have one more day of Arabic class, one more day at the beach, and four more days of working out in Rabat. While I’m sad to leave, I cannot wait to get back into my normal life. Things I look forward to:
1. Going to yoga.
2. Being able to workout (alone) without getting harassed.
3. Eating whatever I want, whenever I want.
4. Seeing the faces of the people I love.
5. Sleeping in a nice warm bed, with air conditioning in the room!
6. Not having to explain that I’m not French.
7. Easy communication with random people.
8. A cell phone!
9. No more dirt bikes.
10. Not having to smell snail soup.
11. Not being distracted always by my family’s crazy dance parties.
But believe it or not, there are a number of things I’m definitely going to miss about being here:
- Having such a great friend by my side (Lindsey).
- Grandma, and all she does for me.
- The food, especially the DELICIOUS Moroccan pancakes.
- Using my Arabic (or at least trying to).
- Not having the internet at my fingertips 24/7.
- Cheap prices.
- Fadoua and everyone else at the CCCL.
- The group (yes, even the annoying members).
- Always being distracted by my family’s dance parties.
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Al-Magreb: Day 39- Thursday, July 7, 2011
The Take Away Points
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- Happy birthday to me :)
I had such a GREAT birthday today :). I started the day off right with a really good workout with Lindsey, followed by a yoga “class” taught by yours truly to Linds, Beka, and Teneshia. It was REALLY fun. I can’t wait until I actually get my teaching certification though- THEN I’ll feel legit.
After, I met up with Lindsey to do a little more shopping. I bought my mom a pair of fake-real Ray-Bans that are so Randee.We went to Beka’s home for lunch, as it was her mom’s birthday as well and she wanted to make us couscous to celebrate. She seriously had the SWEETEST family on earth. Her mother made me a cup which reads “Happy day to you, Kaitlin.” Adorable.
For class, Fatiha decided to bring us to the cafe for an hour! Each person at the table went around and said something kind about me in Arabic. I was eating it up. Lindsey bought me some sweets, and we all kind of hung out. I felt so special.
After class, I had the chance to video chat with my family a bit and was quickly reminded how insane they are. I also received a happy birthday video from Zachary I miss them all like nothing else.
When I got home, my whole family, plus about 3,843,504 people were in the courtyard blowing balloons, making banners, and (the boys were) playing video games. It was too cute. Eventually, they brought out a million different kinds of desserts, put music on, and danced. I also got a pretty wonderful birthday song sang to me.
I honestly wasn’t expecting such a great day. Everyone around me made me feel totally loved. It is definitely going to be a day that I will never forget.
Videos coming soon.
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Al-Magreb: Day 37- Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Just a little recap on the past couple of days!:
1. Most of the pictures above were taken in the North in a town called Asilah-a beautiful town with GORGEOUS artwork painted annually on the walls of the Medina by famous artists from around the world.
2. I got another A!
3. I’ve also spent a ton of money the past couple of days. Hope I can fit everything back with me on the plane :).
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A few more yoga shots. God, I cannot wait to get back to the studio. I need it.
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Al-Magreb: Day 34- Saturday, July 2, 2011
The Take Away Points
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- Thank you for visiting M’Diq.
- I swam in the Mediterranean!
- Nutella and peanut butter sweetness
What another awesome, beautiful day. We left Chefchaouen around 8 am, and arrived in Cabo Negro around lunchtime. The beach was LOVELY. Lindsey and I spent a good amount of time in the sun and the water, and I felt so happy the whole day. I did a little more yoga- wheel was SO difficult in the wet sand.
It is 12 AM and the group is now at a night club. They all got pretty silly and left, and I’m still here with a jar of Nutella and another of peanut butter and I’m loving life. I just don’t enjoy the whole drinking thing- even when it’s legal.
TWO WEEKS.
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Al-Magreb: Day 33- Friday, July 1, 2011
The Take Away Points
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- Excursion!
- Yoga everywhere = :)
Hello, hello, HELLO! Sorry I haven’t written too much- I’ve been tired and quite frankly nothing too exciting has happened. Until today!
We left this morning (a little late because of James) to start our excursion! Our first stop was a town called Chefchaouen, a BEAUTIFUL, heavily Spanish-influenced place. I love everything about it here. The architecture is unlike any I have ever seen- it’s wonderful.
After a very delicious lunch, we walked around the town, and went to little shops and such. I bought some nice jewlery for both my mother and Zachary’s, as well as a really nice savasana blanket.
I started my yoga photo journal today! I tried out some bakasana in a really cute part of the city, and did a few poses atop the Casbah. Simply, nothing can be described in words. Check out the photos!
We then had dinner, and walked around a bit more. I’m exhausted but had one of the best experiences of my trip so far.
Tomorrow we leave for a whole day at the beach in Tangier- right on the Mediterranean. I cannot wait.
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[Flash 10 is required to watch video]
“I’m suffering from second-hand embarrassment.”- Lindsey Bostwick
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**I added a photo to this set just for Zachary- he’ll know what it is.**
Al-Magreb: Day 28- Sunday, June 26, 2011
The Take Away Points
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- Casablanca is better than it seems in the movie-maybe because it’s real.
- Remember to not wear spaghetti straps and/or shorts to a mosque.
- Get the chocolate crepes with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
In the words of Sir Ice Cube, “Today was a good day.” There was no barking from the dog, no smog, momma cooked a breakfast with no hog…. Okay but seriously, today must be ranked as one of my top favorite days in Morocco.
After our work out (where we were harassed by an American-bizarre), Lindsey and I met up with the group to go to Casablanca! Lindsey, Fadoua, James and I took a car ride from one of Fad’s college friends, while Tim, Tenesha and Becca took the train. Once we got to the city, I think we were all pretty amazed by how different it seemed from Rabat.
We first headed for the mosque. Casablanca hosts the Hassan II Mosque, one of only two mosques in Morocco (the other is Tin Mal Mosque in the outskirts of Marrakech) that allow non-Muslims to view the interior. The outside was GORGEOUS. We took some time walking around, only to soon find out that some of us were “indecent” in the clothing department, and therefore wouldn’t be able to take a tour of the inside. Stupid Americans.
Next, we decided to get lunch along the beautiful ocean shore. At a stop light on our way there, a small boy grabbed on to the passenger side of the car, banged on the glass and begged. Fadoua told us that he was most likely asking for money so he could get high. Drugs are one of the ruling problems among street children in Morocco. The thought of this kid, who couldn’t have been older than ten, already addicted to sniffing paint or smoking weed sickened me and made me realize how crazy this world is. Sometimes we need to stop dreaming and open our eyes to real problems.
After a really good, filling lunch, we found ourselves at Rick’s Cafe, the restaurant made famous by the film Casablanca. Of course, it was a TOTAL tourist trap, as the movie wasn’t even made outside L.A, let alone Morocco, but it was a great stop nonetheless. We enjoyed a few drinks and some more time off of our feet, then hit the road to walk along the beach.
We saw some really interesting things, including a hilarious poster for Hangover 2, more young children begging for money, a PACKED beach, and a curious name for a restaurant (see photos above).
Today officially marked the four week checkpoint, so we have three to go! See you all soon, and thanks again for reading!
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