Morocco — Rabat — Our Crash Course

We’ll spend the next two days absorbing Moroccan basics under the guidance of the Center for Cross Cultural Learning (CCCL). Founded by professors at Mohammed V University, they specialize in providing study abroad programs for U.S. colleges and also organize Road Scholar trips.

We meet Rachid and Wadid, both doctoral history students, who will be with the 20 of us for the whole adventure. There are lectures from university professors on Moroccan history and politics, architecture, the roles of women and the veil, and Islam in Morocco.

We explore the walled labyrinth of the Medina, and then visit ruins of the Roman town, Sala Colonia, dating from 40 A.D., over which a Merinid
town grew, only to be abandoned in 1154, and to become, in the 14th century, a necropolis for the Sultan of the day. Storks nesting on top of the remaining walls have it all to themselves now.

Of course we don’t go hungry. CCCL has a staff of excellent cooks to introduce us to that vital aspect of the country. Our first dinner features another iconic Moroccan dish — Pastilla — chicken, almonds and many spices baked in puff pastry and sprinkled with powdered sugar and cinnamon.

Following dinner we’re entertained by musicians playing the Andalusian music brought to Morocco by those fleeing the reconquest of Spain from the Arabs in 1492.    Listen here IMG_2558

Tomorrow we’ll be on the road to Chefchaouen, the blue city, then on to Fes, across the Atlas mountains to Erfoud, Merzouga and Quarzazate, and back across the mountains to Marrakech.

We still have a lot to learn.