Morocco   April 7-17, 2008 

Day 10

The final days were jam packed with activity. Students and teachers boarded a bus for a short 10 minute trip to Club Valtur's Sportspark. Yesterday, they enjoyed a morning filled with archery and bocce, two sports that they might never have tried in the U.S.
Luye M. was right at home in the sports complex, showing her championship skills and pepping up her fellow female teammates' competitive spirits. To top it all off, every student got the chance to ride a camel. Many photos were taken. Paul P. commented how scary it was when the camel stood up and sat down, and everyone concurred.  Even though the camel ride was only a short distance for each, it was an experience of a lifetime. Of additional interest was a second pool. Ben D. and James Patrick E. enjoyed playing pool volleyball with the teachers. Jonah C. has been impressing everyone with his interest in dressing up every night for dinner. Tristan G. has been opening up due to the encouragement of peers. A final trip to the city of Agadir included a last visit to the local souk where students noticed a more American style of vegetable vendors they were familiar with in NYC. They loaded up on souvenirs such as necklaces, fez, and pottery.  A bus took trippers along narrow streets up into the surrounding hills to visit the ruins of Agadir's Kasbah. They enjoyed a beautiful panoramic view of the city and beach down below. Henry H. says the whole trip was outstanding.

Day 9
The highlight of the trip was a traditional dinner at a Kasbah in the authentic old Berber village of Massa. Kasbah is the Arabic word for an ancient Islamic city or fortress. It was the place for the local Berber leader to live and defend the city when under attack. Often built of mud, the walls are high and rarely have windows. The way the sun reflects make them appear to glow. Having a kasbah built was a sign of wealth.

Our group of students got in the bus for a 1 hour ride to this beautiful place and they were not ready for the overwhelmingly exuberant experience awaiting them. Arriving at Kasbah Tassila, student Tristan G. was astounded as they entered and were greeted by dancers and ancient music. Men in traditional attire were singing and carrying torches. Brendan H. really liked the big outdoor fire around which the whole group danced lead by the Berbers. Inside the restaurant, students sat on cushions which Ben D. thought was fantastic. The meal was three courses, Arab bread with honey and butter, beautifully cooked lamb on a huge platter and couscous with vegetables piled up like a mountain with a whole chicken on top. Jonah C. thought the meal was dazzling.

During the course of the magical and unique evening, visitors watched Moroccan women prepare many of the dishes. Students played old-fashioned games and danced between courses with local folk performers. At one point, only our girls danced around the fire. Student Jennie and teachers Juliette and Vishu were selected as winners to receive some gifts from the waiters. Christian C. is also quite a dancer. Another game was greeting each other by sitting on a stool and then taking the stool to another person to greet.

Maari wants you to know that your kids were amazing in how they responded to the whole ambience and how they enjoyed the completely different system of eating--no individual plates. Luye M., Robert L. and Paul P. have been particularly delightful and are a pleasure to have on the trip. Ethan J. has been very involved and an enthusiastic participant in all that the trip has offered. Belle R. has been ice cream on the cake.


On a lighter note, the pool as always, is a great source of pleasure. Even though the water is cold it is fantastic. Ryan N. is very happy that Victor didn't throw him in the pool.  Hopefully all the swimming will not wash away all the beautiful henna designs our girls have been getting. Henna is used in many countries to dye the skin in intricate patterns. In Morocco, it is quite common to see henna on women, although it is usually reserved for weddings or special occasions.

Just for Fun

Recreate the Moroccan experience with your entire family at these NYC restaurants:
Tagine Dining Gallery - www.taginedining.com   537 9th Ave
Zeytin  - www.zeytinny.com   519 Columbus Ave
Azza - www.azzanyc.com  137 E 55th Street

For beautiful pictures of Moroccan food visit http://www.marrakechcuisine.com/menu.html

Day 8
Student Josh B. is enjoying learning about family ancestry. His mother, Annette, was born in Morocco. Before the trip, Annette came to speak with students at school about Morocco's culture. She was impressed by the seriousness of student questions on the topics of poverty, polygamy, women's rights, freedom of speech and materialism.

Nikita K. celebrated his birthday with a song and cake. Hopefully, he washed it down with Morocco's national drink and icon of hospitality: Mint Tea. A special tea ceremony is performed to welcome friends where tea is dramatically poured from high above the glass to create a light foam. It is considered rude to decline an offer of tea, which is more popular than coffee or soda.

Ronald S. is teaching responsibility to others and is being a good example. Tarun V. from Elementary is unbelievably popular, especially while hanging out with the High School students! Jennie E. is socializing and talking to a lot of people. Ashley S. is becoming buddies with Alaina and Tamika. Nile L. has impressed everyone with his good taste. Bryant R. is having a ball.  New friendships are sprouting due to the superb efforts of Dane B.L. to reach out to others.

Today's journey includes a trip to the port and fish market in Agadir. During a visit to the Bert Flint Museum they will see antiques, precious gems and ornaments, carpets, furniture, costumes and Berber craft items. These relics were collected by a Dutch art history professor during his 40 years of travel across Morocco.

Days 5-7
The weekend adventures must have been spectacular! Student  Jesus P. says this is the best trip he's had in his life. Ethan J. says Morocco is the best place in the world.  Jamil F. and Patrick E. are busy making lots of new friends. Tamika B. is keeping a watchful eye out to help the younger kids and is very conscious of their needs. Henry H. wants his parents to know that he's very glad he joined the Spring Trip this year particularly. Michael D. is doing incredibly well. Alex R. has been voted best-dressed tripper. David Z. is very proud that he bought his mom a souvenir. Kevin D. is appreciative of Vishu for helping him bargain in the market. She persuaded a vendor to bring a price down from $500 to $30! We're looking forward to seeing what he bought. 

Our students have made quite an impact at the disco in the resort. Their dancing has so impressed other tourists that their moves are being imitated! Tonight, students are getting dressed up for a special evening at the resort that includes a lesson in Belly Dancing.

Details of ceiling tiles and doors at Palace Bahia in Marrakech. 

Morocco has stunning designs in their architecture, kilims and art. For a beautiful look at Moroccan tiles, fabrics and furniture visit www.justmorocco.com

Day Four
Morocco is separated from the rest of Africa by the Atlas Mountains and the Sahara desert.
See a Google Terrain map

Much of the country lies at a high elevation. Four rugged mountain chains are the Rif Mountains, Middle Atlas mountains, High Atlas mountains, and Anti Atlas mountains. In the Atlas Mountains, which stretch for 1,000 miles and rise to 13,500 feet, temperatures can drop below zero and mountain peaks are snow capped throughout most of the year. The Atlas mountain range are a hiker's paradise because of the variety of landscapes from forbidding peaks to deep canyons to tranquil strolls past rocky plateau and clear pools. 

A lot of unique activities are planned for the next few days. The resort, Club Valtur, will be offering camel rides to our students along the beach.

Students will partake in a traditional dinner
in Massa.

The following is excerpted from an INCREDIBLE book available in our school library, "Eat Smart in Morocco."

"Moroccan cuisine is among the best in the world. There is a liberal use of spices that give a rich, aromatic seasoning subtlety married to healthy food.  Moroccans have elevated basic stew cookery to an art form.

Tagine (or Tangine) is a word to describe both stew and the glazed earthenware pot it is cooked in. Popular ingredients include cumin, paprika, cinnamon, saffron, turmeric, dried ginger, parsley, cilantro, onions, garlic, cayenne, lemons, smen (aged, salted butter) and rose water.

Couscous is made of semolina from durum wheat. It is eaten with fingers. A small amount of couscous is picked up with a second ingredient using the thumb and first 2 fingers. Both are transferred to the palm to create a little ball. The entire process takes only a few seconds."

Day Three

In Morocco, souqs (or souks) are the markets where people shop daily for food, spices, carpets, clothing, pharmaceuticals, crafts and water. Marrakech is known throughout Morocco as having the best and most extensive markets in operation for hundreds of years.

Our trippers just returned from a long journey to Marrakech. Despite long hours on the bus, there were no complaints! Their description of the marketplace is that it is complicated! Goods from all over Africa are on display in open-air vendors. Supplies are delivered by donkey. Souk displays are a feast for the eyes. Hours can be spent wandering the crowded aisles. Hopefully our students picked up some saffron or curry from the colorful spice displays.

The old town (medina) has streets too small for cars and two miles of secret passageways. The town square, D’Jemaa el Fna is the center of it all. Trippers will visit the Koutoubia Mosque.

Maari says the students new to the trip are adapting well. Alaina H. has a constant big smile. Belle R. is at ease and traveling perfectly. Joey B. and Wally F. are learning a lot. 

Marrakech has an average winter temperature of 70ºF and summer temperature of 100°F. It is sunny nearly all year round. In summer there is no humidity so temperatures are generally bearable. Winter can bring heavy downpours of rain, which leave the streets of the old town very muddy. Marrakech has a spectacular location. The snow-covered peaks of the Atlas mountain range are visible as a backdrop to the city.

Day Two
Phone service and internet access is more limited and expensive in Morocco then our trip planners had thought, so updates may be less frequent than we had hoped.

They did call today to say that students built sand castles on the beach in the morning.  On their walk back, they stopped at a market vendor on the street selling traditional jewelry.  In the afternoon, they played a game of soccer. Andrew O. exclaimed excitedly, "Victor DID keep his promise. They really are having fun in pool." 

Christian C. says one word, AWESOME!  Alex R. thinks the trip is just amazing, the people are friendly and the food is terrific.

Moroccan time is 4 hours ahead, so they are preparing to go to bed early. At 6:00am they will board a bus bound for Marrakech, a three hour trip away.

Club Valtur is located in Agadir in the Moroccan region called Souss. It is built in Moorish style and rooms have decorated ceilings and intricate timberwork.

The city of Agadir is different in that much is new and modern. The city was rebuilt after a major earthquake destroyed the area in 1960. Agadir is quickly becoming Morocco's major resort town chiefly because of its magnificent sandy beaches. 

Day One
Maari called to say they have arrived and everyone is in good spirits. After checking in to the resort, students and staff went on an expedition to find all the great features of their accommodations. Their walk took them to the beach and the pool, both of which are beautiful. Victor reports that he has everyone dancing salsa and doing calisthenics exercises. That must be a sight!

A Basic introduction:
Arabic is the official language, but eight other languages are also spoken including Berber, French and Spanish. English is generally understood in the tourist areas, but French is the most widely spoken. Morocco's climate is moderate and subtropical, cooled by breezes off the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean. The main religion is Islam (Sunni).

The government is a monarchy. Currently, King Mohammed VI has ruled Morocco since July 1999. His grandfather, Mohammed V was Sultan of Morocco from 1927 to 1953 and King from 1957 to 1961.  In February 1956 he successfully negotiated with France for the independence of Morocco, and in 1957 took the title of King. The Mohammed V International Airport of Casablanca is named after him, as well as numerous universities and various public spaces across Morocco. There is an Avenue Mohammed V in nearly every Moroccan city.

The resort is located in Agadir. Their flight connected through Casablanca which has a population of 3.1 million and is Morocco's largest city.