ahhhhh....Asilah

Another day trip taken "the day after" my trip to Chefchaouen.

WHOOPS - how could I forget......

CONGRATULATIONS

"RED SOX" & "PATRIOTS"

My trip was taken on a Sunday once again during Ramadan but it was a beautiful day and teh shops and restaurants were all open. Asilah is a very artsy seaside town approximately 40 minute south of Tanger on the Atlantic. Bye-Bye beautiful Blue Mediterranean. There were many art galleries and stores with one of a kind pottery and candle holders. A new found place for me to shop.

I bought a very Moroccan hand painted bedside table and a very cool pair of leather flip-flops.

I also met 2 wonderful people. A very pleasant, attractive young Moroccan girl name Safae who was selling unique Moroccan clothes and bags designed by a women in Tanger. She spoke incredible English and was very well educated. The store was tiny but was decorated to perfection, less is more. The name of the store in Tanger is boutique "EXCENTRICA", which I tracked down a week later.

The 2nd person I met was Tarik. I was up the alley a bit trying to make a deal on a bedside table when my hear caught the sound of Tracy Chapman. What are the chances?? While the cabinet maker was still chewing on the deal I offered I decided to give him a few minutes and follow that music.

A few paces down the voice of Miss Chapman became louder. I entered a very small room which had several hand-painted tiles displayed. Next to this room was the artist's workshop and who knows perhaps his home as well. A young boy with dreadlocks walked in behind me and I praised him on his choice of music. The language barrier jumped right out but I was able to get by with the few words of Arabic I know. His name was Tarik and his small gallery spoke volumes. I bought 2 of his tiles - 1 "which may be a photo of him" a surfer with board in tow and another with my favorite number on it. He wrapped them up for me, not in a plastic or paper bag but, in a vibrant colored page of an English magazine that was advertising beautiful furniture it was perfect. I asked him if I could take some photos of his workshop, you will see those in the slide show. Take a close look - very interesting.

It was a nice day out and a place I will absolutely visit again!

I hope you Enjoy The Journey as much as I did.

SOX - ROX

My internet is FINALLY back after being out at my apartment for almost 3 weeks, in the nick of time I might add! It’s 2:15 AM in Morocco and 10:15 PM on the East Coast but no matter where you are in the world it’s the bottom of the 4th at the 2007 World Series at Fenway Park in Boston. Tek just helped push the lead to 6-1. Jess and I started watching the game at her place on Slingbox at Midnight. After 2 innings it was time for her to go to bed since she has a manager’s meeting in the morning. We had been eating sweet-tarts all night that her Mom sent over in a Halloween care package. I am fully wired at this point. The internet strength I have is not strong enough to stream video so what’s a Red Sox Girl to do?
I’ve decided to purchase MLB Audio.
It’s perfect - - I am at this moment listening to WEEI and following ESPN Gamecast.

When I was a very young girl I spent a large amount of time with my grandparents. I grew up as a Phillies Fan. The days of Mike Schmidt when the Phils rocked, he was my favorite. I would sit on the porch with my grandfather and listen to games on the radio. Between innings I would go into the backyard with my glove and throw pop-ups. This has just brought back so many memories for me.

Jess, Erik and I all wore our Red Sox Garb to work today and plan to do so tomorrow as well. I had my very Red “socks” on also. Earlier in the evening I tucked the pants into the socks in honor of “33”. A friend of mine, HUGE Sox fan and East Boston native always use to say that you must wear the same outfit for every game of the series if the Sox are winning. It would be a jink if you didn’t……. Jess and Erik were not 100% on board with this but I may be able to sway them.

The hardest part will be keeping the result of Game 1 a secret from them all day. Erik is going to watch the game after work and will not want to know the outcome. Good Luck with that my friend since we all LIVE on the internet.

This weekend we’ll be making Red Sox Rally Pie (aka Boston Cream Pie) and getting very little sleep.

Bottom of the 5th: 9-1 and my guy is up next.
I hope your enjoying the game as much as I am.
GO SOX !!

BLUE CITY

Chefchaouen is located approximately an hour and 1/2 from Cabo Negro. You can access Chefchaouen either by the mountain road or the scenic route which is the longer of the 2. Many of my co-workers have been to visit Chefchaouen on several occasions. Keep in mind the journeys always take place on the weekend when I can't go. Well... 2 weekends ago Erik's parents came to visit him and he was making the trip to show them the very beautiful, enchanting city. No VT's for me that weekend so I was free to go - whoo hoo. I drove my car and Jess rode with me so I would know how to get there on my own.

Upon arrival and after parking we stepped out of our vehicles and as if by chance this wonderful man appeared. "Mohammed" a new one, not either one of the 2 Compass Mohammed's - - - like out Bob or Jim very popular name. This petite, well dressed, man spoke excellent English and was going to be our guide for the day. Jess and Erik had toured Chefcahaouen with Mohammed on their first visit accompanied by Ginger and Mike.

It was a lovely day. Sunny and warm but not to hot and some of the sights were breathtaking. Although it was Ramadan you would not have know it in this small tourist town, it was buzzing with action.

We ate at a fabulous Moroccan restaurant that was very inexpensive and was extremely yummy. Mohammed brought us to a local bakery that was making fresh sweets and Moroccan treats for the breaking of the fast that day before our departure.
The entire tour was about 4 hours and was worth every Dirham.

I must like "doors" Enjoy the pics........

Ramadan

Friday September 14th was the start of "Ramadan".
Below is an e-mail that was sent to the staff at Compass........

___________________________________________________

This Friday, (give or take a day depending on the shape of the moon), the month of fasting of Ramadan will commence. It one of the 5 pillars of Islam & is mandatory to Moroccans.

Muslims will fast from sun-up to sun-down, in the midst of festivities & family reunions. Most will wake up to have a religious washing & breakfast before sunrise. They will then break the fast (Ftur) as soon as the sun disappears, at this time of the year, around 5:30pm (this will change every day, with days progressively lengthening). The fast includes not drinking anything during the day. You will note many become more religious during this time, like wearing a scarf or praying 5 times a day. Women will not wear makeup, perfume, jewelry or immodest dress. When there are health reasons that require eating, one will make up fasting after Ramadan.

Some Muslims might eat/drink a little here or there, in hiding. Many families will eat huge meals through the night, favorite shows/sitcoms are on during the night & those who don’t work will sleep during the day. In Morocco, more food is sold during this 9th month than any other.

So how does this affect you as a foreigner? First of all, simply knowing what’s going on and respecting the religious festivity will help as you interact with society & the Moroccan employees. For clients, all restaurants except those catering to tourists (meaning maybe only Sofitel, McDonalds & Pizza Hut) will be closed for lunch, most even in the evenings. Birjiss a.k.a. Shawarmaville will be open for lunch but you must sit inside the Monochrome Café. There is no smoking or drinking of alcohol, so Marjane might not have these stocked up. The hanouts (little neighborhood stores) will be closed in the mornings & will open at 2pm with bread being sold before fast time, so buy next day’s bread & goods then. You will notice what we call “the hour of death”, an hour before Ftur, when people are racing home in their vehicles or on foot, so be careful as drivers do get impatient at this time. Once the break of the fast happens, signaled by a call to prayer from the mosque or TV, the streets are virtually empty & everything is closed. This is not a safe time to walk alone on the streets. As the month progresses, you will see people become more impatient and lose their tempers as Ftur nears.

The closing office kitchen can provide a spot to eat a sandwich or drink a coffee or a smoke, out of respect for the Moroccan employees who cannot eat or drink.

If you are invited for Ftur (breaking of the fast), you will be served harira with Moroccan pastries & goodies (shbakia, sfuf, dates) & milk. If you are to stay for the next meal, this could be around midnight. If you want to make a treat, Moroccans love zucchini bread or an American date or dried fruit cake.

After Ramadan, there is a 2 day feast called the Aaid Seguir, when Moroccans gather with family & give presents & clothing to children.

__________________________________________________

This past Tuesday Compass hosted a Ftur at the Sofitel Hotel after a staff meeting. Some very interesting food was served. A lot of meat which I passed on but I tried just about everything else. I stepped out of my comfort zone and had a bowl of Harira Soup which is made of Lamb, Chickpeas, Tomatoes and Spices. It was very tasty.

It's a quiet weekend here in Morocco and at Compass. 12 of the staff have left for the UK to attend "Place In The Sun" Birmingham Show. I was left behind..... but not to worry I get my dose of the UK next weekend.

Jess, Carla and I are headed to Surrey for "The Homes Worldwide Show"

It's being held at "Lingfield Park Racecourse" Saturday October 6th and Sunday October 7th.

If your in the area stop by!!

I'M BACK - - - -

I've made it back safe and sound to Morocco. My trip to the states was great but also much different then I had envisioned. My eyes were opened to many things.


The crew got together my first night back at "The Horse" to celebrate. It was great to catch up with everyone and then it was back to work the next day. My first viewing trip for Saturday was already cancelled. I hope this is not the sign of times to come. Almost all the tourists are gone and it's very quiet once again. Hopefully business will begin to pick up within the next few weeks.


I got a new car.....yahoo - the Chevy has been banished and replaced by a Black Hyundai 4x4.


I'll start posting again soon.

Carnoustie (better late then never)

Congratulations Padraig!!

No camera's were allowed at The Open so the few shots I have were taken on our way out. These first few photos are courtesy of the The Open Photo Gallery. It goes without saying, for those of you that watched the finals on Sunday, it was WET.

but it was BEAUTIFUL.........

Although I was upset Phil was not there it never took away from the excitement of The Open.

We learned many things from that day/weekend in preparation for St Andrew's 2010 -

1) Don't wear Khaki's in Scotland (or White Pants Sergio!)

2) Always pack your North Face, Umbrella and Golf Shoes

3) Stay close to the actual venue

4) Bring Snacks & Water (i found this out b4 hand so we were well covered)

5) Pick one or two holes and remain there for the day

6) Get to the 18th hole Grandstands early for a guaranteed seat & to view some amazing final shots (buy a beer first)

7) NEVER LEAVE BEFORE THE FAT LADY SINGS...........

THE KING REIGNS

The King is in Town

His villa is guarded 24/7 by many men in various uniforms. If I can get some photos I will but I'm not sure how that will fly with the guys holding the automatic weapons.
M'Diq is A BUZZ - - - the Golden Mile.
Huge Moroccan and solid colored Flags fly on the entire roadway from Fnideq to Tetouan.
There are lighted decorations and strings of lights across the streets.
Picture Christmas as you travel down the street in your town.
Traffic is packed and the drivers are crazy.
Summer is in full swing in Northern Morocco.

Hence the reason why I am headed to the states for 3 weeks.
I'm going to strive to get some photos before I leave because once I get back it will all be over.

I have found the most amazing restaurant in Cabo Negro "aka" the Beverley Hills of northern Morocco. It's on the beach and the decor is Fab. The saddest part about it is the place is open for only 6 weeks. Can you imagine, I almost cried! The BONUS of the spot is - they serve sushi!!!!

5 days until departure......

Happy B-Day Jess ;0)