Friday April 6th

LAST DAY OF ARABIC! The morning was the best morning I have had here so far. I woke up early to study a little bit more for Arabic then had breakfast. The confiture (jelly/jam) was back at breakfast, so I knew that it was going to be a good day. I ate a half of a baguette and then left. I could definitely tell that something was different in my walk to school. It was way better than any other time (AND I usually look forward to the walk). I was ready to take the test and be doneeee. It was a beautiful day and I looked at the sky and had an idea. I wanted to take my final on the terrace- Conn Coll honor code style. I knew my teacher would go for it bc she is a total gem. I asked and she agreed. I was surprised that none of the other classmates wanted to go upstairs too, but whatever. I was pleasantly taking my test when I saw a GIANT rain cloud in the distance- I knew I wouldn’t be able to finish my test outside. Some staff passed through and looked at me as if I was crazy (it is cold here still for Moroccans). When the cloud came I went back and finished my test. FREE AT LAST. I feel bad for being so anti-Arabic class here because it really wasn’t bad… It just wasn’t the same.

After Arabic we had a music session with Badr (very cool and nice and cute assistant for the Journalism program). It was cool, but only the rap/hip hop part. The groups he showed us were VERY funny. “Don BIG”, “Casa Crew” and some other group that had “What’s up” in their name. It was hard to hear the music, but I am definitely going to look it up soon. Chase is doing his ISP on rap music, and I told him that I would go to rap concerts with him. I am very excited. Here's one song that we have taken a liking to--- ma tkich bladi "Don't Touch my Country"

After the music session, we had couscous (2^nd to last- next one my mom will be here!). I vegged out after couscous (necessary). Some people were going bowling at the mega mall (an activity that I would almost always pass on, BUT as Sara says, we are in an alternate universe). I met them at the tram stop at 3:30 (actually 3:45- we were supposed to meet at 3:30…..). We got in petit taxis and went to the Rabat MegaMall. It was decorated in EASTER PASTELS! There were a few American stores- this mall was smaller than the Morocco Mall (in Casa), but they were very similar. The food court looked DANK, but we had just eaten couscous. There was also an ice rink, but it was much more expensive than bowling (more than 20 USD, which is really a lot a lot here).

Bowling was fun. No bumpers tho. We all picked our own names, and I picked AYA, obviously. We got a free drink with our tickets, which was great because I was in the mood for a DC. There were some exotic-looking drinks, but I passed. Everyone was equally terrible at bowling I’d say…. Liza won (I think?). Here is a PICTURE of Kirsten bowling and Josh taking a pic of her. The Moroccan bowlers were interesting. A lot of French peeps, and one group of Moroccan tweens. There was a Moroccan family next to us, and they let the youngest kid (~3 Y/O) bowl a few times. It was SO fincoosh (cute). The ball literally took 5 minutes to get down the lane, but the whole family stood and waited for it to hit the pins, and then cheered LOUDLY when it knocked one single pin down. Nobody was willing to pay for another game, so we left after one. We walked around the mall some more. We went into a toy store (after we stopped at the CANDY SHOP). I told my friends about how when I go to places like candy shops, or 16 Handles, I somehow always manage to spend double what my friends pay, but I think that I am getting the same amount as them. I paid very careful attention to my selection, and I was NOT the biggest spender! The toy store was great (I still love them) a mix of western and Moroccan toys. I managed to snap a picture of BARBIE AND MOROCCAN KEN before the security guard came over and accosted me. There was playmobil and legos, and we had a debate over which was better (I was obviously team playmobil). After the toy store I think we were getting “malled out”. There was discussion about going to the Syrian restaurant for dinner, but I wasn’t interested. I wanted to hang out with everyone still, but was not very hungry. Someone suggested the German Institute- MUCH more my style. We decided to meet there and got in cabs.

The German institute rocks. Nice peeps, very trendy, and crowded. We all got beers (of course) and we split some delicious PIZZAS. I also stole a beer glass (apparently that’s not what it’s called?). I felt like Aunt BB, which is fitting bc I would be with her this weekend if I was in Amereeeka. The glass is cool. It’s a glass mug that says “Flag Espiciale” on it, which is a Moroccan beer brand that we get often- usually the cheapest on the menu. I am either going to use it as a functioning mug, or I will put flowers in it for decoration. Regardless, I will always think of today when I look at it. I was very sleepy by that time, so I was happy to walk home!