The last few days have been a whirlwind.
No. A massive storm complete with hail and monsoons that, thankfully, finaled with a rainbow.
Rome was wonderful--we stayed in a B&B a stone's throw from the Pantheon. Our schedule was slow but filled--and we got to enjoy slightly warmer tempatures...high 40's...which was welcomed with open arms.
The Italian people are warm and were very willing to point us in the right direction whenever we wandered off course--and we manged to find a couple of good restaurants who catered to locals instead of the tourists...unfortunately the rest of our meals were a bit so-so...one of which was the equivelant of a really bad mexican restaurant decorated with random items (including hanging dolls?) and loud wailing music. This is adventure people.
It is incredible to explore this city with its blocks of modern world, the cracks filled with ancient ruins...you almost can't absorb the chasm. It feels like you have wandered onto a movie set...is it real?
After nearly 4 days of the Roman experience, we headed to Malaga, Spain to meet up once more with Brandon and Chrissy---with the intention of staying 1 night and then continuing on to Morocco.
Life didn't quite happen that way. Let's just say the next 36 hours may or may not have involved, missed flights, snow, 3 hours or less of sleep, maintenance workers, cold floors, busted noses, lice, and a stolen car.
Needless to say--our arrival in Morocco was filled with elation---well our arrival to Chefchoen was filled with elation.
Our hotel..was spectacular. Imagine a glorious Moroccan building in your mind--with huts dotted up the mountain behind it---cabanas with thatched roofs, patterned cushions everywhere--lanterns and lights twinkling along the path, brilliant colors on everything your eye can land on...
We got a chalet with two bedrooms and a salon (common area)...each couple with their own bathroom---the same magical feeling continuing into our quarters. We could have stayed there for weeks.
Our one night was perfect. The food--insane. Moroccan food is delicious! Dinner was outrageously generous--none of us finishing our meal (Red included)...and breakfast was "whoa". The fresh squeezed orange juice pushed it over the top.
After our night of luxury we headed into the town of Chefchoen---famous for being blue. It is so picturesque. This is my first time in an Arab culture---it felt so adventurous getting lost in their tiny streets of the Medina, haggling over prices for their goods, eating Tagine...of course taking a million pictures (that I wish I could share with you!)
It was the perfect 1st taste of the Moroccan world. We went on from Chefchoen...and drove to Casablanca--which took and hour and a half longer then it was supposed to---the driving insane. But, we made it. So no complaints. (I think we are starting to adjust to the fact that nothing goes as planned here).
We arrived at Brandon and Chrissy's place around 9pm and received the grand tour. Their beach bungalow is wild! You walk outside to get get to any other part of the house---Red can't stand straight in the kitchen or dining area---but the view---it is majestic. The waves are pounding the beach just a few yards away from their steps. Perfect.
We woke up this morning and have made our way to the school where they work...where I am currently writing this, and Red is sitting in on Brandon's math class. We are just hanging around today--getting to know the community...tomorrow afternoon we head to Marrakesh. Let the bargaining begin! I'm definitely planning to do some shopping. You surprised?
Au revoir!
-Laura
No. A massive storm complete with hail and monsoons that, thankfully, finaled with a rainbow.
Rome was wonderful--we stayed in a B&B a stone's throw from the Pantheon. Our schedule was slow but filled--and we got to enjoy slightly warmer tempatures...high 40's...which was welcomed with open arms.
The Italian people are warm and were very willing to point us in the right direction whenever we wandered off course--and we manged to find a couple of good restaurants who catered to locals instead of the tourists...unfortunately the rest of our meals were a bit so-so...one of which was the equivelant of a really bad mexican restaurant decorated with random items (including hanging dolls?) and loud wailing music. This is adventure people.
It is incredible to explore this city with its blocks of modern world, the cracks filled with ancient ruins...you almost can't absorb the chasm. It feels like you have wandered onto a movie set...is it real?
After nearly 4 days of the Roman experience, we headed to Malaga, Spain to meet up once more with Brandon and Chrissy---with the intention of staying 1 night and then continuing on to Morocco.
Life didn't quite happen that way. Let's just say the next 36 hours may or may not have involved, missed flights, snow, 3 hours or less of sleep, maintenance workers, cold floors, busted noses, lice, and a stolen car.
Needless to say--our arrival in Morocco was filled with elation---well our arrival to Chefchoen was filled with elation.
Our hotel..was spectacular. Imagine a glorious Moroccan building in your mind--with huts dotted up the mountain behind it---cabanas with thatched roofs, patterned cushions everywhere--lanterns and lights twinkling along the path, brilliant colors on everything your eye can land on...
We got a chalet with two bedrooms and a salon (common area)...each couple with their own bathroom---the same magical feeling continuing into our quarters. We could have stayed there for weeks.
Our one night was perfect. The food--insane. Moroccan food is delicious! Dinner was outrageously generous--none of us finishing our meal (Red included)...and breakfast was "whoa". The fresh squeezed orange juice pushed it over the top.
After our night of luxury we headed into the town of Chefchoen---famous for being blue. It is so picturesque. This is my first time in an Arab culture---it felt so adventurous getting lost in their tiny streets of the Medina, haggling over prices for their goods, eating Tagine...of course taking a million pictures (that I wish I could share with you!)
It was the perfect 1st taste of the Moroccan world. We went on from Chefchoen...and drove to Casablanca--which took and hour and a half longer then it was supposed to---the driving insane. But, we made it. So no complaints. (I think we are starting to adjust to the fact that nothing goes as planned here).
We arrived at Brandon and Chrissy's place around 9pm and received the grand tour. Their beach bungalow is wild! You walk outside to get get to any other part of the house---Red can't stand straight in the kitchen or dining area---but the view---it is majestic. The waves are pounding the beach just a few yards away from their steps. Perfect.
We woke up this morning and have made our way to the school where they work...where I am currently writing this, and Red is sitting in on Brandon's math class. We are just hanging around today--getting to know the community...tomorrow afternoon we head to Marrakesh. Let the bargaining begin! I'm definitely planning to do some shopping. You surprised?
Au revoir!
-Laura
WOW !!! I love to "hear" you talk...or at least in this case, "write." We've been on enough international travel to appreciate all of the "contingencies." Sounds as though you adjusted well. All except the "busted noses." ??? Great to hear about your ongong saga. Moroccan food...as I told Chrissy yesterday, we were going to go to one in Falls Church (the "FEZ")on Monday, but wouldn't you know it was "closed on Mondays." Oh well. next time. Warmer....great. Red, DUCK. It's fun to be able to easedrop on your trip a bit. Kinda lets us think we're there...maybe someday.
ReplyDeleteLuv to all of you,
DAVE F.