Morocco Day 8

Leaving the palace, we headed for Tombuktu (not to be confused with Timbuktu in Mali), which was the sight of one of the Moroccan dynasty founders, a pottery collaborative, and a famous library housing ancient manuscripts.  Unforunately, the library was closed, but we were still able to tour the town and watch pottery being made in the traditional style.

We headed back towards Marrakech by way of Ouarzazate with the intention of stopping to pick up sandwiches.  However, now that Ramadan is over, a series of feast days (today being the most important) are in effect, so nothing was open in town, and we continued along.

I have noticed that here, men are more willing to speak to me than in Cairo.  Whereas there, I would be out with male friends and despite my stronger Arabic skills, Egyptian men would defer to the guys and ignore me.  In Morocco, including the more remote and potentially more conservative areas, this is not the case, and everyone has been extremely helpful and friendly.  Not quite sure what to make of it.

Another interesting moment from the van ride was when an older British woman on the trip called up to Michael and I and asked, "Who did you guys (America) get your independence from?"  We looked at each other, taken aback, and Michael responds, "Uhh...you guys?"  We followed up with the question (previously asked of Glenn and Adam, with the response, "We're not sure"), "What do you guys call the war between our countries, the Rebellion of 1776?"  Her response was, "What happened in 1776?"  It turns out that the American Revolution is not touched upon at all during a British student's studies...It was an interesting thought, humbling in fact, to think that America and the Revolution was so insignificant in British history as to not merit a mention.

We spent a looooong car ride fantasizing about new foods in Marrakech.  We have been eating a lot of tagine over the past week, and while it is delicious, there is certainly broader variety within Moroccan cuisine.  It's time to get at it!  Therefore, we were very excited to see some b'stila at dinner.  This is composed of a savory meat mixture (in this case, beef and chicken) with in a sweet pastry shell.  Amazing!  Following dinner, some of us went to the square to see what it looked like on a feast night.  It had almost the feel of a carnival, down to children's games, dessert vendors, and small shopkeepers.  It was  beautiful to see (video coming).  Finally, we met up at Comptoir, our de facto hangout, with some of the others from the group who were out celebrating Grayson's birthday again.