Voyage d'études au Maroc

So I know this blog is supposed to be about my time in France… but it’s barely there… so why not add my Moroccan experience :)

&& Yes, I went to Fez, Morocco!

One week for my “voyage d’études” – it was totally a school trip, promise ;)

I was literally too eager to leave Marseille, even though my flight was delayed. Tant pis!

I clearly remember that I was welcomed to Morocco with hella food – like a nice seasoned (is that even the right word?) salad, then the main course – couscous avec viande, plus dessert – so many fruits (grapes, strawberries, apples, bananas and the famous oranges our prof told us about)

So meals are definitely a big deal in Moroccan culture – I promise Im not just being obsessive about food this time

One of the meals I had with my host fam

We had excursions to nearby historical sites

Like these roman ruins at Volubilis

We did a bus tour of the ville nouvelle

And several walking tours of the medina

The Medina is the old traditional town in Fes (the oldest medina in all of North Africa) and the Ville nouvelle is the newer part of town with its own version of the champs élysées (due to French influence Morocco having been a French protectorate and all) and a huge brand new mall (opened this year!)

Transport in the medina - most of the roads are too narrow for cars

Madrasa - I don't remember which

Also lots of visits to see artisanal shops in the medina

And where leather is made - like all the steps from the freshly shaved off animal skin. I was sniffing on my mint leaf so hard while we were there. But hey the final product is pretty nice and not smelly 

I was staying with a host family in a traditional Arabic home in the medina – (+++ Got to see first-hand what my Arabic prof from Syria was explaining to us in class)

My host mom insisted that I take pictures in the fancy entertaining rooms since I was oohing and aahing

Apart from my correspondent and my host mother, the rest of the family didn’t speak much French and since my Arabic solely consists of “tamam” and “habibi” there was def a language barrier

Eating with my host family (was only with my host mom and correspondent – separation by sex)

-          One communal plate for the main meal

-          Bread/ my hand was my best utensil unless it was rice, salad or soup then I used a spoon

-          Sugar in everything: tea, coffee, even the warm milk

-          Most conversation was carried out in Arabic and if there was French it was more than likely “Mange! Mange!” (eat! Eat!)

I wasn’t lying when I said I went for studies cause I attended about 4 conferences there – the MOST interesting one being the Debate on the Veil. It is so much more authentic when you’re in a Muslim country and in a conference room surrounded by 90% veiled Muslim university students – it was a great learning experience!

My last night in Morocco was our going away party – we got to dress up or not (if you were too poor to buy traditional dress lol)

Me, my French prof, the craziest Moroccan girl ever (in a good way of course)

We got to dance to Arabic music and nibble on traditional Arabic desserts

Had a great time!

And before you know it, it was goodbye Morocco

I got plenty invites to return, so for sure I gotta make it back to Fez!

The view of the medina from the rooftop terrace