Recap of Morocco Trip

Woah!!! Morocco was quite interesting!

Day 1: Pulled an all nighter (even tho didn't have to study or anything; just to make sure i did not miss my alarm). I met Alli at the Plaza de Cuba bridge around 3:15...well i decided not to bring any electronics so i did not even know if it was 3:15am when I was at bridge...lucky me we found each other and legit powered walked to the hotel. The streets were not quite they were quite busy because Thursday was a holiday and people were out and having a jolly good time. We were like the firsts at the hotel and we chilled and waited til more came. Once we loaded the bus, we happily each had our own seats and we all fell asleep. We drove 2 hours to get to the ferry that was going to take us to the Morocco. When we got to the ferry place we met up with the kids from the Granada ISA. We had to get off our comfortable bus to join their not so comfy bus but we made new friends and had a good time. After waiting for a while on the bus then going inside the "ferryport" to get stamped and get our tickets we boarded the ferry. It was quite interesting inside...i was not picturing the ferry to look quite so nice. We explored the ferry a little then all sat down and passed out. So i really did not pay attention the ride on the ferry on our way to Morocco and did not see the Strait of Gibraltor. :( We ended up going to the sleep. After the ferry we took a long drive to our Fes Hotel..I was pretty much passed out the whole time. When we got to the hotel i was roomies with Kellie...we had about 2hrs til dinner so we went upstairs and passed out...lets say we slept pretty much through dinner....hahaha. we were able to eat but did not eat much. After we explored a little bit...aka went to mcdonalds with a few and checked it out...lets say its 2 stories and very clean. After we talked a bit with the others but we were all slap happy and ready to sleep.

Day 2: We needed to be up around 9 i believe so breakfast was at 8. well Kellie and I haven't been good with time and we ended up waking up 2hrs earlier then we needed to, once we realized it we went to bed. We were the first ones downstairs and ate some sort of pancake thing and some mini croissants. We had to bring all our stuff so we had our bags with us. This day was considered our first real day in Morocco...in the city of Fes. In Fes we had some cool tour guides that explained different parts of Fes to us. They were older and wiser of course. They were cool, we all enjoyed them. We checked out some fortresses and learned more about the culture. We also went to the Medina of Fes, which is the market. We went to specific places and saw a lot. We went to a pharmacy (where I bought a lot of goodies...all natural products), then a rug shop (never go, because you will be asked multiple times to buy one...thankfully i didnt), a scarf place (beautiful scarves and if had the money I'd buy it all) a silver place where plates and jewlery were sold (didnt buy because nothing caught my eye) we had lunch at a nice place and had some good food...different...but good. The medina was dirty thankfully i had closed toed shoes and was covered. After the Medina we made our way to Meknes...the other city we visited. When we were on the bus we watched money ball but i fell asleep...again lol....before arriving in Meknes we were informed that we could participate in a "Hammam" (google it if you would like to know what it is all about) and henna. What we ate for dinner that night was quite american...some chicken that to some looked like the shape of a squirrel and some hamburger meatballs and fries. Afterwards, we went to our own rooms and slept. The meds at this place were not as comfy as the ones in Fes.

Day 3: Well Day 3 was LONG!!!! I can't believe we all made it. We got up early, had some breakfast...same food we had in Fes and then we were off. First place we went to were the Volubilis Roman Ruins; that were about an hour away from our hotel. The ruins were gorgeous...I really enjoyed the visit. There is so much history and I feel like that is where our Sevilla group really got know each other and have a good time. We laughed and learned a lot and took photos and it was great. I enjoy seeing ruins from those who are no longer here. After we met our tour guide who took us around Meknes (the old parts) we went to the medina in Meknes...and i have to say I liked the one in Fes more even thought it was cleaner. I liked Fes more because I did not have to see cows heads everywhere...it was disgusting...i like ran through that medina fast so i could avoid smell and puking. YUCK!!! and Poor animals.  We also did a quick tour of the other parts in the Medina. We had lunch at the end our tour in the medina. The lunch we had was the same we had in Fes...it was good but I did not eat much because my tummy wasn't feelin to good. During lunch, we sat and ate with some girl from the Granada Group. They were nice. During lunch there was also a type of protest going on, and we watched from the balcony...it was cool to watch, but glad we weren't down there during it. After, we went and drove around then went to a water house. The water house was cool, it was like a fortress for those in the city to go to if they Moroccans were attacked from outsiders. The could live in the water house for 10years with water and food. There was a lot of history. We also checked out a mosque and a golf course. the Mosque was really cool, the people we passed when we were going in, were coming out of prayer and they were nice and smiled at us. The mosque inside was gorgeous. The golf course was cool, for the part we did see, I thought of my dad who likes to golf when I was there. The prison that was near the golf course was interesting, not like a jail I've seen before. After our long day of tour, we went back to the hotel to rest a bit before our Hammam. Around 5:45, Kellie and I met in the lobby with everyone to meet the locals who are part of the ISA Morocco for the Hammam. If you would like to know more about the Hammam, you can google it or ask me....let me just say...it was different, an experience that you should try because it's part of the culture and that my skin is SO soft now!!!! After the Hammam, we had dinner...it was PASTA :) and chicken with fries and veggies. I just had my serving of pasta and called it a night.

Day 4: well we left at 7am...earlyish. We all got together to eat breakfast...i didn't eat much because my tummy was eehh.. We got on the bus and pretty much all fell asleep all the way back to the ferry stop. We were all tired but all felt good after our Hammam. Once at the ferry stop, we had to get our passports and such ready for customs...which was nice and simple. Once on the ferry...we had Homework time... (for some of us) and we were all up looking out for the strait of gibraltar. we had some interesting conversations and just remembering everything we had gone through together on our trip. We also went outside of the ferry on the deck and took some beautiful pictures and we did see Gibraltar but no monkeys :( but it was cool. We went through some security again and then we split our groups (Granada and Sevilla) and went our own ways. The director of Sevilla was sweet and came to our bus to say goodbye to all of us. She is so sweet. We fell asleep on our 2hr drive back to sevilla. It was nice to have our own seat to ourselves. Once we got back, Alli and I walked back to together then split once reached plaza de cuba. When I returned, my host family was home and I said hello, then dropped of my stuff and hung out with them. I was able to catch the end of the Spain vs Italy soccer game...the game ended up being tied. My host parents asked how it was and what I liked and I told them. Apparently Eugenia missed me and she and I were playing and so was the little one Cristina. It was nice to see them. We had a light dinner and then said our good nights.

The trip to Morocco was definitely worth it and I enjoyed it. It was a great experience and I learned a lot and I am glad that I went with the people I went with. Something I will not forget.

Now off to bed....goodnight...also check out the pics on FACEBOOK!!!! until tomorrow or aka later today!!!!

Day B4 Morocco

WEDNESDAY...HAPPY HUMP DAY!!! well nothin spectacular happened just class as usual. and today was like our Friday because no class tomorrow or Friday because it's a holiday tomorrow. Yay!!! Classes were fun and not too bad...just thinking about what I have to do once I am back from Morocco. I am pulling an all nighter because I have to leave for Morocco at 4am...yes 4AM!!!! But meeting Alli at 3:15 so we can walk together so we are safe and yeah. Well after our classes a few of us decided to go get some Helado..ice cream...at the place where there as a cute waiter...well waiter wasnt there...its ok but ice cream was good.  I got home for Dinner and it was good....we had milanessa (peruvian dish...or as my host mother said a south american dish) with some veggies..it was good. I finished book 1 of Fifty Shades of Gray and now on book 2...cant wait to read it and finish book two once i get back from Morocco. Also today was good because I talked to my Mama and Daddy :) but no Becca :( it's ok i know she is working and having fun. I miss them so much and they are excited for my trip. I will be gone starting in about 45min til Sunday around 5. No electronics for me for 4.5days...crazy i know but it's ok.. Morocco shall be an EXPERIENCE!!!!! TIL SUNDAY!!!

oh TUESDAY!!!! lol

Well tuesday was just an ordinary tuesday nothing too exciting. I had class, relaxation/reading time and lunch at my host family's...lunch was amazing :) definitely a recipe to take back to the states. After lunch, I just relaxed and stayed at the house til about 5, when i decided it was time to head over for my 6pm class. I wasn't coming back for dinner. We all decided to hit up a restaurant that Taryn and I went to and then we were going to get a drink. We decided to get drinks on Tuesday, because Wednesday was going to be more chill, because some of us were leaving for Morocco. Well, let's say our evening was eventful...we had a good time. It was nice to just hang lose and just do whatever and not worry. I had a local drink called Cucano and Taryn, Cortney, Alli had Agua de SEvilla which was AMAZING then others had Sangria (Bekah, Shelly and Cortney) Red Wine (Madi) and Tinto de Verano (Jessica) We sat down and had a good time then went to another place with some music but it wasn't hopping, so we ended up getting discounted drinks :) yay go us...instead of 7 euros we paid 5 (well a few of us ...thanks to me:) ) We did not get back late...normal Spanish time 1/130. It was a school night. lol It was a must needed girls night!!! Yay Tuesday

Recap of Sunday and Monday

Sorry for not updating y'all I've been busy. Well Sunday I slept into about 10. Iate breakfast and relaxed with everyone. Around 12 taryn called me to inform me of the plans. Well at 12:45 we were going to meet I front of the cathedral so we could attend church at 1. We had a little bit of a hard time to figure out the entrance for mass was but we found it! The service was similar to what I am used to because it was a catholic service only difference was that there were no music ( which I love in mass because I like to sing) and another obvious difference is that it was in Spanish. It was nice I picked out a few things thar I understood in the readings and gospel but very little ( priest talked to fast). After mass we walked around a little and headed towards la plaza de España. On our way there we saw a huge crowd around this little car that was decorated with Spain's national futbol logo and colors. Shelly was in awe and we took a pic of her and car, the car was In front of this very nice hotel, which is where the team was staying. We took a different way to the park. We found a nice spot where we decided to eat our bocadillos. We talked and when we were all done we walked around the park. After we went to the little kiosks by the plaza and looked. Taryn ended up getting a guitar for her cousin... It's cute. We left the park and walked around and got an ice cream. We then met Beth and walked around more. She wanted ice cream so we went to An ice cream place. We got she water and she got ice cream. Our waiter at this place was cute and very nice to us. He had a nice smile. After we talked about what to do the coming week. Well we couldn't so we decided to part ways. I got back to the house and met my host sisters padrinos ( godparents they were nice). After a while we set up for dinner and then we watched the Spain vs chine soccer game. It was pretty boring because nothing really happened at all. I went to bed and slept really well. Monday was just an ordinary money... Class chill lunch relax class dinner and relax. Lately I've been too tired and think its because the sun takes too much out of me. until my Tuesday is over !!!

Jerez y Cadiz

So yesterday we had an excursion to Jerez y Cadiz.  WE had to meet at the hotel at 9am. So I got up early and met Alli by the bridge so we could walk together.On our way to the hotel, we met up with Quique (one of our directors) We got there pretty early and Alli and myself joined Scott (from Tenn.) for a coffee. Well, weall know that I don't drink coffee,but I went with because Alli wanted something to eat and it's also a nice way to know more people.Scott is cool and nice and very TALL!!!He towers me and like everyone else. After our coffee time, we went back to the corner to meet the others. We saw Bekah and Shelly, I called Taryn to see where she and Cortney were and they said they were close. Unfortunately, they could not make the trip. We tried to hold the buses off as long as possible but we couldn't Since they couldn't go, we are thinking a bout going another time when we have a weekend free. Our first stop was to Jerez, it took about an hour so i napped. I was sleepy. When we arrived to Jerez, we stopped at a winery (bodega), it's called Williams and Hubbert. They make Sherries, Brandy and Cognac. We had a tour of the winery and learned a lot. I understood what the lady was talking about because of my AWESOME Beverage Management class with Allison. We also saw some Equestrian Show; the horses were gorgeous. We did that all before we tried the Sherries. It was all fun and we all enjoyed it. When we tried the Sherries...some people at the table where we tried them, were lets say taking the sherries as shots. I wasn't impressed. But they can do what they want. I liked the dry and medium dry ones, the other was was too sweet for me. I went to the gift shop and there we could try spirit taht was similar to baileys...it was called Crema de Alba. We also tried a Caramel Whiskey. They were quite tastey. I ended up buying 3 things from the winery to bring home so my family could taste them. I hope they like it. After Jerez, we went to Cadiz. CAdiz is the capital of the Province. Cadiz is in the shape of a peninsula, it is covered by three sides of water. It is said to look like old havanah in cuba.  We made two stops in Cadiz, one for those who just wanted to go to the beach and the other was to see the cathedral and climb the tower. some got off at first stop but the others like myself, stayed on. We climbed the tower and man it was a hike...it was just a stone bath...no stairs. Though my legs and glutes hurt walking up and i got kind of dizzy, it was well worth the climb. It was gorgeous once we reached the top. We took tons of pictures and i was in love with the view. After we saw the view, we went to see inside the cathedral and then walked around. We saw some markets and Scott came with us. WE walked around then got a snack, i just got something to drink because I ate my lunch. After that we went to the beach and and layed out and I went into the FREEZING cold water...but it was refreshing. As it got closer to six, we packed up and headed to our meeting point. We then got on the bus and headed back to Sevilla. I did not fall asleep on the way back which was nice because I got to see what I didn't before. When we arrived in Sevilla, we departed ways and went back to our families. I got back to the apartment and cleaned up then relaxed with the host fam. WE had a nice salad for dinner and yogurt. We watched the news for awhile and talked. I think each of us are opening up more to each other because we talk more at dinner so that's good. Yay!!! Today (sunday) I have plans to relax, go to church, eat in a park and relax and do homework not much but ill let you know how it goes.

TGIF

TGIF!!!!! It's Friday!!! last day of classes and beginning of the weekend!!!! Tomorrow we have an excursion to Jerez and Cadiz and they have planned stuff for us...I cant wait. Some of my friends who are doing the summer 2 chose to skip out on this one and go in Summer 2 instead. I didn't I was too excited so I will be doing the Cordoba and Granada excursion in July sometime.  Today I woke up kinda late, because I did not want to get out of bed. I just showered and ate and walked to school. TODAY was HOT!!!!! I swear I drink tons of water and pee like every hour...gah craziness!!! Well at least I stay hydrated!!! I attended class and after that I wanted for Madi and Cortney, Jessica and Bekah; because we were going to shop down some streets. I just went with them until I went to have lunch with my host family. While I was waiting for the chicas, I was reading my awesome book on iPad and just relaxing away from the heat.  Around 1, everyone was out and we went shopping...for me it was window shopping. There are a lot of cute stores. When it got closer to 2, i decided to head back because I wanted to be there for lunch. For lunch I had some spinach and cream dish with rice...it was delicious and then I had an apple. I ate with my host dad and relaxed. We watched the news for a bit. I was also able to finish my book. Yeah..now on to book # 2 that I have. When my host mom came back we talked a bit about yesterday and just relaxed and I played with the kids. I left around 5pm because I had to go get medicine. I have like a cold and it sucks...im not sure if its because everyone in spain smokes everywhere and all day (that is a joke about all day but they smoke a lot) don't they know that smoking kills.  Well anywho I got my medicine and took it ASAP...i started to feel better and after a few days I shall be. I met up with Taryn, Alli and Cortney at the school because we have class at 6pm. Alli is in a different class but we hang out before we have to start. Class was fine, we just talked about our project nothing much. Afterwards, we all decided to just go home and relax and not do anything. I came back before my host family did and I started my new book...Book 1 of Fifty shades of gray. It seems like a good read. For dinner we had a Spanish Tortilla, some pate and chorizo and queso then a yogurt for dessert. It was good; no complaints. After I watched part of a movie with my host parents and it was in spanish but with american actors but I never seen the movie out in the states before. It was good (for what I did watch) I left early because I was tired and I have to get up kinda early tomorrow for excursion. There are NEW pics on Facebook...I'll add the ones from Jerez and Cadiz when I get back or on Sunday!! look out Jerez and Cadiz...it's gonna be a good time!!! Beach Sun Friends and much more!!!

Salir con Espanoles

HOLA!!!! well yesterday (Thursday) was a very very long day!!! It is definitely tough getting back into the swing of things after you have a day off the first week of classes. I got up around 7:30 to get ready for class and then i had spanish class. It's kinda hard being in class at 9am and have to wake up from dreaming and thinking in english and trying to do all that you can with spanish in class. I dont think I could survive if I did not have Bekah or Madi in class. After class, I ended up chilling there for a bit, and I read and did our homework that was due today. I waited because Bekah Madi Jessica and I walk the same way together to where our homes are. We all went home to our host family to eat some lunch. Since I have lunch at 2:45ish I just ended up hanging out with the little girls and played with them and also read my book. It was nice just nice to kind of relax and not do anything. When my host father arrived, we had lunch. We had a seafood pasta dish, I did not eat a lot and feel sick. The dish was really good, a little spicy but I like spicey. After that I just hung out with Eugenia and around 4:45/5pm I went to go meet Cortney so she could get her book for class. I met up with her then her and I met up with Taryn Alli and Shelly at the ISA office, because we all have class. We were talking bout the activity we had last night which was called "salir con espanoles" which means go out with the spaniards. We really did not know what to expect but it was fun. As we were waiting in the Plaza Nueva, for the spaniards to arrive, we met Madi, Jessica Carrie and Bekah and just talked. There was some sort of scavenger hunt going around with the high schools or colleges idk, but we ended up taking pictures with them because they asked us too...and the reason i said scavenger hunt is because they were dressed up in weird outfits but had like all these activities to do for it. We were like why not, we are not goin to see them again. After awhile, the Spaniards came, and we met a few of them and half of our group went to Plaza San Salvador and the others went somewhere else. The group that I was with went to the plaza and met more and the social thing to do in san salvador is get a drink. so everyone had like a sangria or cerveza in their hand. The guys I met were nice but the girls i met were really genuine. They really tried to get to know who we were and I did use my spanish and the guys were kinda of awkward (at least to me) but some of them weren't and we had a good convo...i then met some girls and some members from my group of ISA students and we decided to go get tapas by the cathedral. It was nice and I used a lot of spanish. Afterwards, I exchanged my spain phone number and gave them my facebook name so we can keep in touch this summer. Taryn and I then found the rest of our group and we were all kinda tired but Madi and I decided to go get a glass of wine and we went to a little cerveceria and we talked a lot and learned more about each other and had a good time then it was time for bed!!!