It was a calm relief from the heat of Marrakesh... there were pretty cafes everywhere, very 'elven' as mom would say, with candles and lights in the trees. We went hiking on a little trail that actually goes very far up into the mountains, but since we didn't have much water we decided not to continue very far. The views from that trails were great, they looked down onto the valley and the waterfalls... only I didn't get any pictures from this trail because my camera battery conveniently failed. That's alright, the others photots that I took were great. If Dad [View Full Entry]

---

---

Here are some pictures of my fun in Meknes. Went with Nihad and stayed with her fam, they are really sweet but I have to eat 4 times a day- big breakfast with croissants and tea and coffee, her mom made a big couscous while we were there b/c it was Friday, and she made harira especially for me because she knows I love it! Also we have afternoon tea with more cookies and cakes, then dinner around 9 or 10. It's kind of exhausting. [View Full Entry]

---

---

So, the whole Spain thing is getting better, but sorry, this just isn't my favorite place I've ever been, especially in Europe. I have run across some interesting places, especially in the Gothic Quarter. But, I don't exactly feel like, wow, I'm in SPAIN. I mean, when I was in Italy, I said, this is deffffinitly italy. Maybe because I have never really studied spanish culture, or the language, I appreciate it less than the other places I have been? I almost feel as if Spain is some non-descript European country, with nice places and things, but nothing EXTRAORDINARY. Again, maybe [View Full Entry]

---

---

I hate to say this, but barcelona is not as interesting as I thought it would be... I think it's more of a living city than a travelling city. It seems very residential, it doesn't have quite the grandeur of Paris or Rome. I feel like in other cities, you can wander around, and see interesting things you didn't even know existed, like in Florence, but here the streets and all the areas seem pretty similar :(. It probably doesn't help that I don't speak Spanish. haha. Another reason why I've been eating in the kitchen hostel every day. The restaurants [View Full Entry]

---

---

I hear it alllll the time. 'What do you think about Morocco?' Its THE question to ask foreigners who have up and left their homes for a sojourn here. And particularly when Moroccans discover that I'm staying for a while, this question becomes ever so important. What do I think of Morocco? One of the worst answers you can give is, “its soooo beautiful!” You will, with little exception, solicit from them a contorted expression, and moments thereafter, a veritable dissertation on why Morocco is not just a pretty place. Yes, it’s happened to me. About 3 times now. I've fi [View Full Entry]

---

---

Its been two weeks. We've broken. Pizza hut is on tonights agenda. I look forward to a tide of greasy cheese flowing into my stomach, just as waves enter and fill a voided bay ... So? I dont get poetic or sentimental about much... especially since im a junky poet. But yeah, pizza hut, you're worth it. I almost feel shame knowing i've regressed to this point. But, our level of degeneration goes far beyond a meal. Next to the pizza hut, one can also find Marjane- the moroccan equivalent of walmart.........how she tempts us with her low prices on notebooks [View Full Entry]

---

---

Morocco. Im here! Honestly, its has surpassed nearly all my expectations.... about food, the way of life, the vibrancy and liveliness. I am soooo very happy here! First, it still boggles my mind that im in Africa . Even though it may be difficult for us to think of Morocco as part of Africa, many people would consider themselves part of Africa before they would consider themselves part of the middle east. Thus, people commonly say to me, " Here in Africa..." and it freaks me out! Many musical and cultural traditions are very much rooted in african culture, and are [View Full Entry]

---

---

Vietnam is absolutely AMAZING. How is is different from CHina?? Oh, so different! Its cleaner, friendlier, wilder, less developed, less western, less loud, less smoky, more green, more tropical, more spectacular scenery, just really everything I ever dreamed of when I dreamt of Asia! The food is amazing, vegetarian food is everywhere, I can get wonderful spring rolls and curries and vegetables, and lychees practically line the streets- they are fresh, cheap, and delicious! I have never met kinder people in my life (well, I think its a tie with the Tibetans). I was so exhausted when I arrived i [View Full Entry]

---

---

Well, I've been around this week. It has been rather uneventful actually, so I decided to do more of a culture notes thing again. Where I have been: I went to Xishuangbanna, which I thought was going to be great, but it was indeed so un-touristy that it was difficult to actually get around anywhere. One of the highlights was a huge botanical garden, with loads of beautiful and unique plants. Unfortunately, this blog will NOT be accompagnied by pictures, as my camera is lost and gone. HAha yet another reason for just a culture notes day :) Its alright, this [View Full Entry]

---

---

It has been so long since I published a log, I feel that I am really lagging! Although, I can't feel too bad as I have been away from a computer for a long time. I didn't see even see a car for four days! I had an amazing time in a valley right next to Tibet, literally a kilometer or two from the border. Of course, the area I was in really can be considered Tibet anyway, as one person I was talking to pointed out. This area was apparently part of the Kingdom of Tibet before China took it [View Full Entry]

---

---