Morocco - Finally a different continent :D

We docked in Casablanca, a city not liked by many of my Moroccan friends, and I can now tell why it might be your least favorite in Morocco. We visited Hassan the Second Mosque which is the biggest in Africa. Hassan the Second is called the mosque of the people because it was built by their money. Moroccans' salaries were cut by a certain percentage to build the mosque. 

Interesting! It is good to let the people unite for one cause. However, and that's just my thought, I think that if the money was used to build a university or a hospital, that would have probably been more beneficial for Moroccans. The case is somehow similar to many other Arab and African nations. I am not undermining the value of the house of worship, but people would have definitely benefited more of a building other than one that is occupied by tourists more than Moroccans and whose entrance fees goes who knows where.

Anyhow, Casablanca was not my favorite city in Morocco because it is a little bit dry. Meaning, as an economic capital, there is really nothing to do and interacting with the locals is not as interesting as that when in Marrakech for example. I still love you Ghassane and Zineb :D

The following day we went to Rabat with the Global Music class. We met a band that plays Gnawa music and presented about Visa for Music festival to us. The festival aims at promoting African and Middle Eastern musicians on an International level. They performed, and it was fascinating how talented and hard-working they are. The show was so good and they played the drums, guembri and krakeb. It was so loud but so fun! We had delicious lunch as well, Tajine, Couscous and Moroccan mint tea. Okay, Rabat also did not impress me. It is the capital, but there is really nothing to do there either. I have to say though that the architecture is so nice. It is so different from the European style and Arabic style. The pin pointed arch is famous all over Morocco, and it is simply stunning.

Global Music field lab

Finally the third day approached, and I took the train to Marrakech. I am going to meet Khaoula's family, my best friend from African Leadership Academy in South Africa. The 3 hours and 20 minutes ride was not bad. Khaoula's mum was waiting for me in the station and prepared a wonderful Moroccan dish for me. The dish is unique in the city of Marrakech. Marrakech's houses are all colored in red to symbolize the color of mud, so that Marrakech would always be known as the red Marrakech. In winter, the four colors of snow, houses, trees and the sky meet and the view becomes lovely.

Khaoula's friends are studying abroad in London, but they were in Marrakech for fall break.We all met that night and explored Jamee' El Fanaa' together. They were a fun group to hang out with, and I bargained for them so they appreciated that. I have to say that I surprised myself with my bargaining skills. I almost cut the price down to a third and sometimes to a quarter :D  Jamee' el Fanaa' is a huge market where many things, mainly handmade, are sold. There are different quarters within the market. There is the main area where musical and animals' shows take place. And there are also markets for leather, shoes, olives,….and many more. It is a fun place to be at, but be careful of the motorcycles that run everywhere outside and inside the market. I also got henna for the first time ever in my life. I like it :D

                        

The next day, I went to Jardins Majorelle and ran into some friends from semester at sea. We ended up visiting the gardens together. It is a peaceful place, and it has plants from all over the world. The ride back to Casablanca was pretty tough because I was sick, sitting in a noisy cabin full of people who did not stop talking, and it was so hot. I ran into my roomie at the train station, and we went back to the ship together.

                  

I went around Casablanca the last day and bought some more souvenirs. I forgot to mention how sweet and generous Khaoula's family is. Besides hosting me, showing me around, feeding me, they gave me Moroccan Gifts. If I ever go back to Morocco, it will definitely be because of that family :) I then went back to the train station right next to the port to get lunch. I had Lebanese food. YUM YUM. I have been craving Lebanese food for a while, and it was like a dream coming true haha. All my Asian friends went for Chinese and Japanese food, but once they saw my food, they all bought Lebanese food. Even my International Relations professor had Lebanese food haha. I mean what can I say, Lebanese food is simply DELICIOUS.

Throughout Morocco, I could either hear American or Egyptian songs in stores and restaurants. I was looking forward to listening to Saad Lmjared, but it did not work out :/ I spoke Arabic during the entire visit, and I could to a great extent understand Dareja/the Moroccan dialect. Thanks to Khaoula and my two years at ALA :D Once people knew I come from Egypt, they spoke to me about movies, football, politics and said, "Om el Donia" (Mother of the world). I felt the love and appreciation for the country, and I felt so welcomed.

However, I was always asked whether I was Muslim and given that I am not, they insisted that I had to be in one way or another related to Islam. One guy even told me to research more about Islam and convert my religion. Are you kidding me? I am Egyptian which means I learnt more about Islam than my own religion! Don't get me wrong, I love Islam and adore my Muslim friends, but when on Earth would interfering with others' religions end?! This is nothing particular to Muslims, but you can witness it with many other faiths, as well.

Although Morocco is an Arab country, it is still different from Egypt. Athens and Rome reminded me of and were similar to Egypt more than Morocco. We share food and some cultural aspects with Greece and Turkey more than we do with Morocco. Even the Egyptian music, for example, sounds like Greek and Turkish more than that of authentic Moroccan. I also had huge expectations for Morocco in terms of development and liberalization, but it was not as I expected. The colonial effect is huge. The country has a lot to do in terms of development, infrastructure, etc.  It was so different from what I pictured. It is a different culture from that in Egypt, none is right or wrong. It is just different.

Many students on the ship commented about how women are treated in Morocco. They forgot that to comment you need to witness and interact to understand. Not just see and judge from the cover. They don't get that the Arab world from within is so diverse, and that we are not all the same. They also don't get that because the Moroccan culture is different from theirs doesn't mean that theirs is better or more superior in anyway. I thought that when they visit Morocco, they will change their views about how Arab women are often presented in media, but guess I was wrong. Their views got worse and they now think of women in an inferior way and think that they are victimized. Excuse me, if the US got it completely right with women rights, why are there so many American NGOs calling for women's' rights. Also, why hasn't the US had their female president yet? Let's not make women's rights issue a Middle Eastern issue. Women have their problems all over their world, so please before judging another nation whom you don't understand and don't know whether they are happy or not, focus on your own problems! 

P.S. Many people thought I was Moroccan, but once I spoke they confused me for either being an Algerian or Tunisian. A waitress thought that I was Moroccan who learnt the Egyptian dialect. Haha at least they did not think I was Indian :D

Spain! What an adventure ;)

Spain is the last European country on semester at sea itinerary. It has indeed been a great exit port from the continent. The ship docked in Valencia, a small beautiful city that's not as packed as Barcelona, our second port. In Valencia, my friends and I visited Valencia Cathedral that I have never ever heard about in my life. I have no idea why?! It is absolutely magnificent and definitely one of the best cathedrals I have ever seen in my life, if not the best. Spanish art is not underrated but it doesn't get enough credit like the Italian one for example. Spanish art simply spoke to me! 

Valencia Cathedral

No need to say that we had to try the churros with hot chocolate. A little bit oily but the hot chocolate was on point ;) We also had a drink called hotchota and it was very refreshing. And what to eat for lunch other than that sea food paella when you are in home of paella. It is a rice dish with shrimp and lobster cooked with delicious spices. It comes in a big tray and you share it with others. We thought its cost was 17 euros, but that was per person. So make sure you ask beforehand.

Hotchota

Paella

At the end of the night, Rachel and I needed some Wi-Fi since we are Wi-Fi deprived on the ship. We kept walking in areas close to the ship and ended up in a dead area where nothing could be heard. So we went back and luckily found some cafes that offer Wi-Fi. We sat in the bus stop and got some free Wi-Fi :D The following day, Noot and I visited the City of Arts and Sciences. We went to the aquarium. It is big with multiple buildings and beautiful sea creatures. However, it lacks audience and attention. The Red Sea show building for example had nothing inside but a screen with fish from the Red Sea. They start their shows pretty late. I then went to watch Jerusalem in the IMAX Cinema. A documentary worth your time. Jerusalem is definitely on the list now. The documentary shows the Jewish, Christian and Muslim communities in Jerusalem, how isolated each is from the other; yet, they all are exactly the same!

                           

The ship then sailed to Barcelona, and the following morning we woke up there. My friends and I went to Park Guell. We bought 1 metro card for ten rides that costed ten euros, and we all shared it. One metro/bus ride is for 2.15, so a card seemed better. Park Guell is huge and nice, but we paid 8 euros entrance fees, and one of the places inside was closed, so we wasted the 8 euros :/ However, it is a good place to stay and relax at.

                          

We came back to the ship and I was super duper exited because I was going to an FC Barcelona GAME. The metro was packed because of the many fans going to the game. We entered the stadium and could not believe that we would be seeing the game in few minutes. We drew on our faces, wandered around and then decided to get in. 

                        

At the gate, we presented our tickets, but OPPS we got the red light, and the guard said, "Sorry your tickets are not valid." I took a deep breath and asked about what we could do. We went to the ticket office, and they told us they couldn't help us because we did not buy them through the official website. Hongyu and I ran outside to find Wi-Fi and contact the agency. We found a restaurant with a Chinese waitress who offered us free Wi-Fi. Of course the agency did not reply until two days later. Anyway, we went back to try again. It is 9 pm and the game started at 8:30. We tried showing the tickets through our phones, but they did not work either.

We met two Canadians who had the same problem. Their tickets through the same agency could not work. We asked the guards' boss to help us. He took pictures of the tickets and Whatsapped some random person and after 10 minutes told us that our seats were already occupied. Meaning our tickets were sold twice through the agency. What on Earth!! Can you please ask them to come out and show you the tickets? This is so unfair. They did not want to ask them to show their tickets and did not help anymore. At that point, the first half was almost over and it felt like a nightmare. Did I lose my money? Am I not going to enter the stadium? WHAT?!!!

We went outside, and found some people selling the game tickets. We hoped they would be cheap, and the guy said they were for 150 euros. We said that we just got scammed and we would not pay 150 to enter one half of a match. They started speaking in Arabic, and I realized they were from Morocco. I spoke to them in Arabic and started tearing, so they felt sorry for me and agreed to sell the tickets for 30 euros each. What a deal!! We took the tickets and ran to the stadium, Green light, WOHOO tickets worked. We had GREAT seats and oh my God!! We are inside the stadium. What a magical feeling. I felt weird and in denial. But Neymar scored his third goal at that point, and soon I was into the game. FC Barcelona won by five goals, and three of them were scored during the 2^nd half, so we witnessed that. Messi was among the crowd and the game was on. What a night!

                        

Last day, I had a field lab with my philosophy of religion class. We saw the South Korean navy in the morning on our way out off the port, then head to Montserrat, Barcelona Cathedral and a Jewish Synagogue. It was interesting to see different spiritual/holy places in Barcelona. The sad part though was how those places made for spiritual purposes for one to connect with God became touristy and means of getting money :/

Karla at the Monsterrat

     Barcelona Cathedral     

P.S. Spain is absolutely my 2^nd favorite port so far after Paris on this trip. It has something special. Also, the agency we bought the tickets from is called Ticketbis. Never ever trust them!

Ελλάδα! Home of YUMMY Feta cheese ;)

And here we are in the land of philosophy. Once I went out of the port, I found myself automatically comparing Athens to home. Long buildings, advertisements everywhere and many companies. My friends and I took the metro to the Acropolis, and we bought the day pass for 4 euros. A ride is for 1.2 euros, so a day pass was a better deal. We walked around the shopping areas and the alleyways. 

Oh God, things in Greece are sooo cheap!! Athens reminded me so much of Alexandria and Portsaid. Alex buildings style and architecture are similar to that of Athens. What a coincidence right?! "Alexander"ia is similar to Athens :D It reminded me of Portsaid because of the so many street vendors and shops that sell almost everything you can and can't think of.

We then came back and bought the student tickets for the Acropolis and 5 other major sites for 6 euros. We watched sun set at the Acropolis and stayed there for a while because the view of Athens from the Acropolis is so pleasant. You see the trees, the greenery, the buildings and the sea all at once! What a breathtaking view! There were also some soldiers, and they all looked so smart in their military suits.

Nhi at the Acropolis

The following day, we took an hour and 30 minute ferry ride to Aegina Island. Aegina Island is so different from Athens. Athens is more of buildings and ancient sites full of tourists. Aegina, on the other hand, is a small island where no one was there because the season was more or less over. It mainly consists of small houses, home-style restaurants and hantours "horse ridden cabs."

                   

The water is so clear, the people are so cheerful and friendly and the weather is nice, sunny but not hot. It also kinda reminded me of Venice because of its size. This island is also famous for pistachios. They were really good. We ran into Anushri, an Indian friend, and we all went to a monastery on the island. We were told it is the 2^nd biggest in the Balkans. We also went to the temple of Euphie, and we then took the ferry back to Athens. When my friends paid the restaurant lady in Aegina, she was very appreciative that she had customers and kissed all of us. The same happened with the taxi driver; he wanted us to come back so he can have more customers. The situation is pretty hard in Greece!

Don't forget to ask for student discounts, we paid almost half price. On the ferry, we ran into two Greeks who of course thought I was from India, but once they knew I am from Egypt they started telling me about their trip to Cairo and Alexandria. They told me I could be a Greek as well, lol never hurts to have an International face :P In Athens and Aegina, there were many mini churches, meaning one small room that looks like a church and can't accommodate more than 20 people inside. Maybe fewer. I always saw them either empty or with 1 person praying inside.

Third day, I went with semester at sea on an exchange program to the American college of Greece. I thought I would meet Greek students and get to know more about them and their culture. However, we ended up having a tour in the university and a lecture about a Greek island, I forgot its name. I really appreciated their time and effort dedicated to preparing the presentation and tour, but I wanted to interact with the Greek students. It was not bad because, after all we had a free lunch and a bus tour of Athens.

The uni's theatre

The fourth day, I decided to go and explore Athens on my own. I went to the rest of major sites like the Temple of Olympian Zeus and the Roman Agora. This is going to sound ignorant, but they all looked the same to me! Same building structure of pillars with Greek style and a bunch of ruins. Forgive me Aliki please :D I loved Greece so much, but as an Egyptian, I was born in a country where history is a big deal. I have seen so many ruins, monuments and sites that I was expecting something WOW in Greece, but they all looked the same to me.

                 

I took the metro to another site and got lost. Also, the Greeks there don't speak English, so it was hard to communicate, but they really wanted to help. After walking for 30 minutes, I decided to leave that place. Ironically, I found the site on my way to the metro station. So at least I got to see it. I went to the flea market and found even cheaper stuff! I ran into Haimeng and Ecco, Chinese friends, and we ate pomegranate together while enjoying the busy square.

I was going to meet Aliki, my Greek friend that I met in Malaysia, so we walked to Syntagma Square where the parliament is, and on our way, we of course had to stop by the shops. We reached the square which is a very vibrant place. Ecco and another Chinese joined us, and then Aliki arrived. We had a very delicious and cheap Greek dinner, and it was great to catch up with her and ask about her views on the Greek crisis. It is always good to hear from a citizen not an economist or a politician. Syntagma Square is the Greek version of Champ Elysees or Times Square.

Syntagma Square

Athens was full of refugees and homeless people and the beggars and vendors were so pushy. The vendors would force what they sell onto you, flowers, bracelets… so be careful and say NO. Street musicians won't play their instruments unless you pay and they would even ask you to pay which is very unlike Italy or France.

  

Things I noticed: Alexandria is very famous in Greece, once you say Egypt they start talking about Alex. Although there is an economic crisis, shops take their time to open!

P.S. When in Greece, don't forget to eat Gyros, grilled feta cheese and frozen yoghurt. Grilled feta cheese is what I miss the most about Greece. So delicious!

                           

Dubrovnik ... The unexpected beauty

And here we are in Dubrovnik. I have to go to my field lab (class trip) on the first day for my International Economics class. Once I saw the view from the windows, I felt I were in a postcard! Dubrovnik is insanely beautiful. The view of the water with the houses on multiple levels by the mountain in the back is just incredible.

So, my field lab ended up to be so much better than my International relations class trip. We went to the old town of Dubrovnik and walked along the city walls. The city is really old, and you can tell by the way the buildings were built, and the fact that almost no one really lives there. It is mainly aimed at tourists. That means that it is full of restaurants and souvenir shops. There are beautiful fountains and many city wall entrances as well. We then went to the University of Dubrovnik for a lecture by a Croatian professor about whether Croatia will join the euro zone any time soon or not, and its pros and cons. I am not getting there because this is a whole different issue :P

City Walls

Going back to beautiful Dubrovnik, the following day we went back and enjoyed the old city. My friends went to the city walls, and I wandered around. I got a taste of Dubrovnik and was able to grasp its beauty with some time on my own. I explored the side alleyways and saw some of the small buildings with actual houses and real people, not tourists. I ran into a store called, Blanc du Nil, which I have also seen in Mexico. The saleswomen went like, "Everything here is 100% Egyptian cotton" and I said, oh cool! I am from Egypt, and we then had a conversation about Cairo, Alexandria and of course the Pyramids.

                               

I ate a lot of Burek, a pastry filled with cheese and spinach, potatoes or beef. All of them are soooo good and mouthwatering. If you get them out of the old town, they are cheaper because of course, it is not a touristy area. My friends and I went kayaking. It was my first time ever to kayak. It's so much fun. We snorkelled, swam and watched the sunset close to Lokrum island. We bargained with the lady to give us a group discount, as well. Always bargain and ask for discounts, you never know how much you would save ;)

Hongyu enjoying her burek

We had dinner with Haimeng's teachers and spent the last night together. We had a good time and experienced Dubrovnik at night. On our way there, a sales guy asked where we were from and once he knew that I am from Egypt, he asked to touch me because he felt so honored to meet an Egyptian. Haha, he was really crazy! :D Noot and Haimeng took the bus, Rachel and I wanted to walk back but then decided to take the bus. I missed my station and kept going further and further. At the end, I made it to the ship safely, but at least I got to see the other side of Dubrovnik. It reminded me of Heliopolis in Egypt at night.

P.S. Dubrovnik has never been on the list, but it absolutely should have been. 

What happens on the ship?

And here I am, on the World Odyssey. I had dinner, my first meal on the ship, with Hana and Haimeng and the food was really good. The view from deck 9 was fabulous. The following day, I arranged my side, finished unpacking and did homework. I have a lot to catch up on :O

The ship is so fancy, I finally got to see the library, where I am a work study student, the bookstore, the study area … It feels good to sit outisde and feel the sea breeze. There is room service, they clean the room and do your bed every other day. I even went back once and found my clothes folded! Gosh, I am gonna be spoiled by the end of this voyage.

We had International students' orientation since we missed it (lol we were stuck in Paris, I mean hey, stuck and Paris?? Really :D) Anyway, we were introduced to different activities offered on the ship, and we were all put in families. We are 2 international girls and 4 American boys in my family plus our mum which is an Anthropology professor. She is so interesting and has a lot to offer. Also my siblings are so cool, and each has exciting stories to share.

Overall, it was great to meet other International students and make new friends. There are students from literally all over the world, Latvia, Nepal, Canada, Mexico, Ethiopia, Germany, many more and of course my second homeland, India :P So here is the thing, anywhere I go since my first flight which was long time ago, people think I am Indian! Even on the ship, the crew, room service, International and American students think I am Indian! I don't mind being International, but really, nobody ever thinks that I am from Egypt?! Lol, whatever :D

The ship is moving. I have been on day cruises before but never on night cruises. So, sailing while sleeping has a magical feeling. You wake up, you look outside and suddenly you can't see the land anymore. All you see is water everywhere. Apparently, we passed by a Volcano that erupts every 15 minutes and look like fireworks at night.

I celebrated moon festival with my Asian friends, ate cake and drank tea while watching the moon and enjoying the sea view. Although it was so dark at night, it was still cool to see what's out there. We had cultural night preparation and logistics preparation for Croatia. Croatia seems interesting with all its history, politics, economics and culture, but I wish we were gonna stop in Turkey L Paki, stay positive! It will be fun :D

P.S. Happy very belated Eid to all my Muslim friends J