Welcome to Taroudant

After a long bus ride and a 1 1/2 hour ride in a cab, I reached Taroudant late last night with my travel partner Hina.   I woke up today it was sunny and hot.  I heard that schools are closed back home due to a pile of snow and freezing temperatures.  I am glad I don't have to deal with that!
Hina and I walked around the town and it is so colorful and people are so friendly.  We stopped to buy water at a street kiosk, and the man working there told us his name was Omar.  He explained that he met an American woman of Facebook and they "dated" for 4 years.  She came to vist him three months ago and they got married!  He told us she was lonely because she had no one to speak English to.  He called her and put her on the phone.  Her name was Tammy and  we made plans to meet her at 8pm and go to dinner.  Read on to find out what happened...

Hina and I hit the streets of Taroudant

View of Taroudant from the medina walls

My first camel spotting... (not really)

After a walking tour of Taroudant, our host teacher Hassan took us to his home for the traditional lunch of couscous and it was delicious!  We met his wife and sister-in-law and they showed us the wonderful Moroccan hospitality we have heard so much about.  

Couscous- Traditional Friday Meal

After lunch we walked around the streets and took in the sights and sounds.  When it was time to meet Tammy at 8pm, we were informed that her husband would instead pick us up and take us to his home for dinner with this family.  Sounds like something you wouldn't do in America, but here in Morocco it is the custom to invite visitors to your country into your home.  So...we went to Omar's home and met his American wife and the rest of his family.  "Mama" (his mother) brought us tea, cookies, chicken kabobs, salad, bread, bread, and more bread, roasted chicken, and fruit for dessert.  She watched us eat and insisted we eat more, more, more. Then she kindly forced us to take home cookies because we couldn't possibly eat another bite.  When you say goodbye here in Morocco, you kiss on the cheek multiple times and hug, so we left on that note and felt once again that Moroccans are certainly the most friendly people in the world.














                        Meeting Tammy from America

To answer some of your questions:  Hannah, Brandon S, and Prem- some famous spices here are cumin, saffron and paprika.  Mint is used. too.  Everything here is fresh and not processed.  Carleigh- I have not seen Cheetos, but they are probably here.  Pringles seem more popular.  Jayden J and Elaysia- the food is the best I've had in the world.  I have liked everything I have tasted, especially the couscous.