I don't know how often I'll have time to post updates but I have free time now, and nothing else to do... Sometimes it might just be some of my thoughts that I decided to write down. Other times it may be a list of things I did. Depends on how much I do and how often I allow my mind to wander. :)
This was my whole journey to get to Al Akhawayn in Ifrane, Morocco: Drove to JFK airport, flew to Casablanca, took a shuttle from the airplane to the airport, followed the crowds through the airport through passport control and to baggage claim, took a short train ride to Casa Voyageur, took a longer train ride to Fes, was picked up by AUI people and drove in a van to the Fes airport, and drove in the van to school. Obviously, it was tiring and long but I found out other people's itineraries were a lot longer and more complex! So, I have nothing to complain about.
Even though I thought the plane ride would be a breeze, it was probably the worst part of my trip. The guys next to me put all the pillows and blankets on my seat and left me to deal with them some how. They didn't seem very approachable so I put them at my feet leaving me with very little leg room. It was also hard to find a position that was comfortable to sleep in. This is my first time traveling without Randall since we have been dating (which is hard enough) plus it was so hard to resist the urge to rest my head on the guy next to me's shoulder! There was also a screaming two-year-old in the row in front of me so that made sure it was impossible for me to sleep for very long periods at a time.
It was relatively easy to get through the airport and get a train ticket even though this was what I was most scared/nervous/stressed about. Everyone in the airport spoke English and things were going well. Once I got on the train everything was in French and Arabic but I managed to figure out what to do by following everyone else. Sometimes men would try to help me with my suitcase up and down stairs which was super nice but in the beginning I was afraid they would ask for a tip and I wouldn't know what to do. After a while, my arms started to hurt though so I gave in. It was just a little nerve wrecking traveling by myself and not knowing exactly what to do. When I got on the train to Fes, though, I was glad I had gotten that far and knowing that people would meet me at the Fes train station was comforting.
The best part of the trip was being on the train to Fes. I was in a carriage by myself at first but then a young boy and his mother joined me. HE WAS THE CUTEST FREAKING CHILD EVER. He sat there quietly and obediently and then would giggle every once in a while. I could go on and on and on about how cute he was, but I'll spare you. At one point, he was curled up on the seat with his head on his mother's lap and he tapped his leg and she put her hand there and asked if that's what he wanted and he nodded. It was adorable.
The scenery was also very pretty and vastly changed from fields and huts to cities with tall houses and hustle and bustle. I was so in awe of the landscape but I dozed off a couple times because I was so tired. I felt a bit more rested after the train ride though.
I have yet to meet my roommate or have any official introduction to the school and classes etc. Classes start tomorrow at 8am so I guess I'll figure it out there! Some of the other students who got here last week have showed us around a bit and even brought us into the town to the market which was cool! I got sunburned, but what's new...
I have had a headache since we got here which might be in part due to weird eating habits and not drinking enough water. I think it's gone now, though, inshallah, so we shall see what tomorrow brings!
I'm giving up with the internet now... It is being so finicky so I'm not even going to try and put in pictures!
Fun fact: Morocco is slightly larger than California.
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