The Oasis

Last weekend I traveled to several towns with four other people from my group. We took an overnight bus from Rabat to Ouarzazate. It was a nine hour bus ride...let's just say I did not get very much sleep. On the way to Ouarzazate we passed snow in the mountains. It was absolutely beautiful. Once we arrived in Ouarzazate (Friday morning) we decided to rent a car. Likely one of the members of the group knew how to drive manual. Renting a car was the best idea ever! We were able to travel to several towns outside of Ouarzazate. While in the Oasis we traveled to Skoura to see the 1,000 palm tree oasis, the Dades Gorge, Ait Benhaddou (the Kasbah from Gladiator is located in this town), and Agdz. Most of the smaller villages were Berber villages, the people were absolutely amazing! We were able to travel to all of these places using a Guide Book. I would say success! Throughout our travels we made several friends.One friend was a Moroccan who loved to explore the land with just his guitar, he travels around Morocco by hitch hiking. The other friend we made was a Moroccan trader. The Moroccan trader made us traditional Berber tea (the Berber tea tasted like Moroccan tea). While traveling in the south a number of people believed I was Moroccan and laughed when they found out that I was not. Overall the trip was absolutely amazing and I would travel to the Oasis again. Below are some photos from the trip:

A Map of the Oasis:

 The car rental place:

The Group:

Ouarzazate:

 Random place:

 

Trying the traditional head protection thing:

Group Photos:

 Our rendition of Abby Road:

 The 1,000 palm Oasis:

Our hostel:

 A Kasbah:

 Random Places:

 The famous Kasbah from Gladiator:

Statue:

 Stop Sign as Requested:

 Movie Studio:

 Berber Trader:

 The Canyons:

Teaching English

Dear Students,

Today was my first time teaching English to non native speakers. I would say today is my first time ever teaching English, so please be patient.  I never thought I would be in English teacher in another country...please bare with me...I don't understand Arabic.  I have no idea how to teach Intermediate English especially to students who speak and write English at different levels. I can't even remember if I passed English. I know our first day of English class was a little rough but hopefully...Byron (another student teaching English with me) and I can come up with lesson plans to help you. I hope by the end of this experience...your English improves. Now, don't forget to do your first assignment. You must present a childhood memory and write out a description of the memory.

Best,

Your New English Teacher

Gabby

(Please send any ideas to me...any help will be much appreciated.)

There is a total of 5 students...Byron and I may have more students next class.

The students in my class have ages ranging from 15 to 34.

They want to learn English to have a better job in the future. 

They all value the English Language.

Let's just say this is the first time I am excited to be teaching English

It's been a while...I traveled from Morocco to Spain to Morocco though

Sorry I haven't posted in a while....I was traveling all weekend.
This weekend I traveled to Tangier, Cuerta, Tetouan, and Asilah. I left on Thursday with another student to Tangier. Traveling to Tangier by train we made friends with two women on the train. The women preceded to tell us the best places to travel in Morocco and quiz us on our Moroccan Arabic. I tried speaking classic Arabic with the ladies but they didn't understand what I was saying. Which makes me wonder why I am studying classical Arabic. It was a great time. Upon arriving in Tangier we stayed at an amazing hostel and at amazing seafood. I would say the hostel for one person and dinner that night cost $30.Just so yall become jealous of the hostel...I could see Spain from the terrace of the hotel. That's amazing! The next day, we walked around Tangier and met a man from Germany. I do not remember the man's name but he had been traveling by a minivan from France to Spain to Morocco. Later, we purchased traditional dress and sat on the beach to read. Sadly, the water is still to cold.
Saturday (February 16) was the first time I walked across a border to another country. I walked from Morocco to Spain and back to Morocco. I wonder....How many people knew that there is a city, Cuerta, in Morocco that is actually part of Spain? Cuerta is a small city about an hour and half from Tangier that is Spanish land. Cuerta is literally a little Spain.
Asilah was a very small city but beautiful. The old Medina walls were painted blue....I felt like I was in Greece.
I enjoyed this weekend. By the time I got back home, I was exhausted and ready to sleep. Today, I went to class thinking it should already be Wednesday.
Well until next time but here are a couple of pictures....

The hostel in Tangier:

View from the Terrace:

 Wondering around:

Museum in Tanger:

Random house in Tangier:

Beautiful Mosque in Tangier:

The Beach in Tangier:

The Cave of Hercules:

Apparently this is where the ocean and sea meet:

This is me trying on a hat...that made me look like a poodle:

Cuerta (The Spanish City):

There was a festival in Cuerta:

Asilah:

A town outside of Asilah:
This town is know for their clams...the women in the surrounding villages come out and pick the clams everyday. Apparently these clams are very expensive because the water is not polluted.

Yes, I hiked this huge sand dune to take a picture...