The Turkish Bath

Hey everyone, just one last brief note about Morocco before I get started on Ghana. The last day I went to a Turkish bath – if you ever get the opportunity you simply must go. The bath house was nothing like I expected, looking like an American health club or spa from the outside it took me by surprise. Once inside the décor began looking more like what I was expecting. It was separated by sex, men to the left, women to the right. After going down a flight of stairs I walked into a changing room where I took off everything but my boxers. I was lead into a room with plastic covered massage beds (the only way I can describe them, though this fails to be an apt description) and sinks lining the wall and shin height. The room was tiled in what I can only describe as a modern Greko-roman (apologies for my spelling) ambiance. From there I was led into a smaller steam room decorated in the same style. The steam room was wonderful. The steam shot into some sort of basket filled with herbs. I cannot tell you what kind of herbs they were but I could feel the toxins leave my body as I marinated in the heat. After the steam room I showered off and was led to one of the massage beds. A man insinuated that I should relax, which I did. He proceeded to scrub me down with some sort of a rough glove, almost like sand paper, but with a softer texture. The sheer volume of skin he scrubbed off my body was both disgusting and amazing at the same time. It felt absolutely amazing. I showered again, and then be proceeded to cover me completely with soap. I showered once more, and that was it. All of this for about 10 USD. If I ever live in Morocco, I think I'll go in about once a week for this treatment.

Ghana?

Hey everyone,

I'm in Ghana right now at an internet cafe. Expect more soon, but just a quick update: I'll be working at the same clinic I worked at in Ho the last time I was here. We'll basically be doing the exact same thing as last time. All is well in my neck of the woods, hope everyone is having fun. My email address is abashby@semesteratsea.net for those of you who don't know.

Morocco Day 2 (Cot'd):

First, apologies for any grammatical or spelling mistakes. Anyway, continueing on from Donkey polo... And I'm afraid its going to be brief, but I did play soccer barefoot in the same field as the polo with a bunch of Moroccans. In fine American form we got our asses kicked quite nicely (0-3). I made some nice calluses on my feet from it.

After that I rode a camel to lunch, cous-cous. It was incredible, caramelized onions, raisins, chicken, very very delicious. We rode ATVs back afterwards, all in all a great day. I have much more to say of course, but I'm trying to be brief. The pictures are much better anyway! Hopefully I'll be able to upload some as soon as I get to S. Africa.

Morocco: Day 2

The only reason you’ll believe my stories about this day is because of the pictures. Olympic Games were supposed to occupy the morning, what that specifically meant was only a vague guess until we arrived at the camel/outdoor adventure/farm we would spend the day at.

Our group was split into 4 teams of 10 to play the games. To be fair, it started mundanely enough. We learned how to wrap a turban and had a race; we played some soccer. You get the idea. Now imagine donkey polo. Yes, donkey polo. We played what is known as Berber Polo a sport, I suppose you could call a sport that at least. Now donkeys are very stubborn creatures to solve this issue, they were lead by our guides at the farm. So you have three men leading three donkeys upon which three players with sticks sit per team playing polo on a dirt field outlined in chalk with the remnants of bed frames as goals. As the piece de resistance, techno was blaring in the background.

More later, Arabic keyboard is a bit tricky. Expect pictures too.

Morocco: Day 1

As far as the actual trip is concerned it basically started on the day after we arrived in Marrakech. The morning was spent visiting various different monuments in Marrakech, specifically the place of a former vizier built in the late 19th century, and the necropolis of an ancient king. Both places we visited were beautifully done in stunningly complex woodwork and fantastic tile patterns.

In the afternoon we visited the souk, or open air market. Now this is interesting, depending on who you talk to, I am either a decent or terrible bargainer. Either way, I’m not brilliant at it. After this trip, I have to say I’m pretty damn good. The fact that I have white skin immediately bumps the price of everything I look at by about 200-500% over an already high price. It is expected that you barter over everything.

I bought two things while I was in the souk, a purse for my little sister, and a strap for my camera. The strap for my camera came to about 200 Dirham when all was said and done. I overpaid, but I was still getting my legs back. The purse I did much better on, and sorry Ali, but I won’t be saying how much I spent.

Now, if I may let me briefly walk you through the scenario. You walk into a store and find something you like. If you dare ask how much it is, assume you’ll be buying it or at the very least spending the next 20 or 30 minutes arguing about the price. I’ll use a tea set as an example. (Translating from French) How much? For you my friend 400 Dirham. That’s very expensive 80 Dirham. It cost me 200, that is too low. What is your final price? Etc etc until you end up at whatever price you’re willing to spend. If something was 400 Dirham between 80 and 120 Dirham is probably a good price. Of course my brief explanation cannot do it justice, but at least you get the picture.