Monday, 28 March 2011

Bonjour Morroco

It's 8:00am and the only sound is the gentle lapping of the water against the hull. The sun is pouring in through the window above sending shards of dancing colours around the room and it's warm - no-need-for-duvet-just-a-sheet warm. Suddenly the peace is broken by a 20 meter metal tower blasting our morning prayer on the megaohone attached to its top. If you peer out however you will not see any change in the hussle and bustle around the marina. All the fishermen and net haulers carry on as they were without even flinching at the booming sound and nobody, not a single person, moves to go and pray.

Morocco is not what i was expecting. Everyone is incredibly nice and helpful at the marina, can't do enough for you and are so excited to speak english that thankfully my poor attempt at French was not needed. The officials are dressed up bulky jackets with thick lapels and shoulder pads decorated in gold leaf and dangling tassles but merge into one of the crowd as soon as the football comes on. Morroco vs. Algeria and every man in sight is staring intently at the small tv screens and partaking in a constant struggle to get in front of each other to get a better view.

It is exceptionally male centric - the women only appear in small groups and that is infrequent. Most are in the traditional outfits but the younger ones dress just like anyone else - high heels, skirts etc - it doesn't seem to be frowned upon as i had though it would. The only way to get yourself noticed is to have contact with someone else - it's a no-no. No hugs, or hand-holding as this seems a sure fire way to getting yourself relegated to a street corner - eek!

This afternoon we are off to see Casablanca with Pete and Suz. It is also Petes birthday so we are going to go out tonight for a big traditional Moroccon meal (he doesn't know this yet) and i am in process of trying to bake birthday cookies! Num num num... hopefully there will be some left for Pete :)

Other updates as follows:-
  • We have a working fridge - HORRAY. Jarvis the mechanic strikes again! 
  • We have had no other problems with the boat - DOUBLE HORRAY
  • We made pancakes with faces for breakfast - TRIPPLE HORRAY

Tia and Jarvis, Over and Out!

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