Proud to be an American

Journal #10
February 3, 2009

Well today was quite an experience. It was my first day in Morocco and I have learned soo much in one day. First of all, all of my friends left early this morning to go on SAS overnight field trips. Soo I was all alone, and there was no way I was going to go around the city all by myself. So I went to breakfast early and met up with some people who were going around Casablanca. So off we went after breakfast. When we first got off the ship I knew I was going to be uncomfortable in this city. When we were walking down the street there were taxies on either side. They were all talking Arabic very loudly and all of the sudden a police man pulled up in a car. I am guessing one of them said something bad because the police man starting yelling, got out of his car, slammed the door, and chased after the guy. This is the first time I have ever feared for my life :( Not a very good first impression.

So after about a 20 min walk we finally got out of the port got into the city and found a bank. All of the people in my group got their money exchanged except one girl. She had a travelers check and they did not accept it there. So we got directions to a bank that would do that. Walking around a busy city with no street signs and no crossing lights is extremely hard. So we probably walked about 3 hours, walked into at least 6 banks and we never found a bank that would exchange her money. Talk about annoying, but at least I was able to tour the city. So after that the group wanted to go back to the boat and eat lunch, but I was not quite ready for that. So I met up with some other SAS students to shop in the Markets. Now this was the most culture shocking thing that I have seen on this trip. I can not even begin to explain what it was like. Men were everywhere trying to get you to come into their shop to buy stuff. Now you are allowed to bargain in these markets so that was extremely exciting for me. Its like theater, you act and when you get a good sale you get free mint tea. I GOT SOME!!!!!! The tea was awesome and I got an A for one of my projects in my class!!!!! So back to the markets, the ground was muddy and it smelt quite bad. Kids were on the sides selling cigarettes, stray cats were everywhere. I can not believe the poverty that these people live in. The homes were falling apart. My heart was hurting for every single person out there.

Then we made our way to lunch, it was hard to find a place because every restaurant we went to only had men in them. I don’t think women are allowed in them. Really weird. So we finally found a good place that had some other SAS people in it. After a really good lunch, margarita pizza, we went to the mosque to look around. The Mosque was gigantic and gorgeous. We were not able to go inside but I was still able to look inside and see the rugs and people taking their shoes off and stuff. The building was mostly marble and mosaics. The colors were absolutely breath taking. Then we made our way back to the ship, it probably took us about an hour. I was never soo happy to see my ship!!!! I learned a lot today. The way the men treat the women here is soo different compared to the US. Women are not allowed to look men in the eyes, they have to cover themselves, and most of them don’t even come out onto the streets. I am soo blessed to live in a country that I have the privilege to be independent and equal to men. I could not imagine following these customs. Although I am sad I was not able to go to the orphanage, I am grateful for my time spent in Casablanca and for me being able to see their customs and the way they live their lives. Tomorrow I am headed to Marrakech at 7am so I need my sleep.

Love you guys
Michelle