OBAMA!

No, this is not an entry endorsing our president for another term, but you vote for will matter!

Anyways, this is the word yelled at me multiple times this past weekend at Fez. Our weekend excursion started Thursday morning after leaving our on-country orientation site. We rode a few hours to get to Mecka which had beautiful mosques and a busy medina. The place was buzzing with men trying to sell anything from bracelets to drugs, and knock-off snake charmers who wanted a tip for putting a snake on your neck (which we all know I was no part of!!) after our busy day and buying so essentials for my dorm room, we got back to the hotel which was the first air-conditioned place since we arrived on Morocco. It was very much needed; I couldn't take a shower without drying off, and immediately being covered in sweat again.

I enjoyed the Mecka, and then we headed off to Fez, but not before stopping at some of the oldest ruins in Morocco created by the Romans. The guide told us they date back to the 11 th century I think. They were beautiful and quite impressive. Hot tubs, sewers, pimp houses, they had everything before we ever were thought up!

Once we got to Fez we had lunch at a beautiful restaurant with couches as the seats. So you can eat, get the itis, then head out all before it's too dark out! We saw a few landmarks like one of the 11 gates to the largest medina in the world! We also got to see one of the king's palaces, but only the outside. We then went to the top of the hills to see the medina from atop but since it was so hot our out door adventures were cut short and we went to dinner and back to the hotel.

Saturday by far was the most interesting and aggravating day. It started with tours of the medina full on. We saw a scarf and knitting shop; they made everything from bed spreads to scarves and it was really awesome. We then went to the leather tanneries. It smelled soooo bad, but my bags were worth it ;) lunch was so good,at another beautiful restuarant! Then we went to the herbalist who sold a lot of cool oils and washes. Theses were the best parts! The flip side of this all was having kids and adults the same yelling "Obama" every time they saw me! Also creepy men saying "husband" whenever the girls walked by. But by far the funniest moment was when our tour guide asked anybody with colored skin where they were from. One girl says "India" another says "Pakistan". Then she looks at me and says you?
Of course I say America and she blushes and says "oh, oh sorry" and grabs my face to apologize. It was quite hilarious. Then at the leather shop the salesman kept calling me "sister" so I finally asked him why. He says "not because of your skin, but for more respect" I think he was just trying to make a sell, it worked though.

The best part of this trip has been the people though. Monica and Ava are two girls that I am really bonding with. Mohammed is our calligraphy teacher who is like a father figure, he wants to help us bargain and show us around, such a sweet heart. Ryan is a guy from my trip who is truly hilarious! Overall we have a fun group and great leaders. This weekend was really a fun bonding trip. Pictures on FB soon if I can get near a computer!

Love,

Dileelah (Arabic name)