I'm Back!

Hey Everyone,

Just thought I would give a quick update letting everyone know that I made it back from Morocco. I left with just myself, a backpack, two guidebooks, and little plans. I wound up travelling very quickly, seeing a lot, getting worn out, and having a great time. A quick summary follows:

Took a 13 hour night bus from Copenhagen to Frankfurt on last friday. Spent the morning in Frankfurt, using my friends advice from class. I checked out a local food market, the old district, a flea market, got a pretzel before heading to off to the airport to fly to Fes.

Arrived in Fes to a party! People filling the streets in the new town, a big carnival outside the old town. The next day I explored the huge, famous Medina (old city), although many things were closed as it was the 2nd day of Eid Al-Fitr (the days after the end of Ramadan). Apparently I didn't time my trip too well, corresponding it right at the end of the holy month...

The next day I travelled to Rabat, the capital of Morocco. On the way I got my first experience of seeing the Moroccan countryside, which was a mix of beautiful rolling hills, sheperds herding their sheep, farms, shanty towns, garbage, and sheep eating the garbage... Once again I explored the bustling Medina full of people. Here I continued eating the delicious street food, enjoyed the city's more laid back atmosphere towards tourists, checked out the Kasbah with nice views of the water, and saw Le Tour Hassan, a large tower that was meant to be the largest in the world at the time accompanying a huge mosque--both of which were never completed--and the beautiful mausoleum of Mohammad V with amazing decoration

The next day I headed to Casablance where I was not too impressed with the city and kid who attempted to pick-pocket me, but was very much with the modern Hassan II Mosque--the 3rd biggest in the world featuring retractable roof, laser beam towards Mecca, and heated floors.

Then on to Marrakesh where I got to experience Djemaa el-Fna, an amazing square of snake charmers, dancers, and story tellers. I also got to try a hammam (Arab bathhouse) which may have been my favorite experience of the trip. Tried some new foods here as well (lamb's head stew, and snails/snail soup) and warded off tons of hasslers.

After Marrakesh I took the night train to Tangier and made my way to Cadiz, Spain to visit my friend Kristin who is studying abroad their. I enjoyed the "smaller" (100,000) town atmosphere, beach, and mostly the company before leaving the next day for Seville.

Seville was absolutely beautiful and my favorite city I have been to so far in Europe. It's buildings are amazing, its trees are amazing. It is filled with a mixture of both including small streets, large squares and parks, and an amazing cathedral housing the biggest altarpiece I have ever seen (over 1000 biblical figures on it...) and Christopher Columbus's grave. It also included the Alcazar, residence to many kings including beautiful gardens and castles.

Unfortunately Seville was packed and I could only stay one night. I headed to Granada for two nights. I ran into Kristin and a group from UW that was also doing a trip to Granada and we went out for a few tapas (in Granada when you order the drink the tapa comes for free!). The next day I visited the graves of Fernando and Isabelle to finish my Columbus Connection. The next day I fought of some stomach flu and horrible bug bites to reach the Alhambra in time to get a ticket. It was absolutely spectacular including emaculate gardens incorporating water and amazing work on the palaces.

I made it back to Copenhagen after spending a painful night of little sleep and constant itchiness in the airport. After discovering my literally hundreds of bites, and at Denise's suggestion, I went to the doctor today, to make sure it wasn't something more serious (with all these little red bumps who knows), but mainly to pick up some cream which will hopefully do the trick. Itching is probably the worst thing I can do right now although it feels like heaven...

Well that is a quick summary. Pictures to come soon. Hope to tell you some more interesting specific stories and the like later. Hope to hear from you and I hope everything is going well wherever you are!



Jeff