The semester is finally coming to an end. Im excited to be done the never ending work of school and but depressed about leaving Barcelona. However, I am not leaving Europe though, Im going to be going on a two week backpacking tour with Metzler and Chris. We leave Barcelona the 2nd and fly to Milan, then were off to Venice and Switzerland. After we planning on heading up north towards Paris, Brussels, Germany, France and Finally back to Barcelona. It an ambious journey but it will be well worth the trouble.
Throughout the semester I've really enjoyed my stay in the city. It has been more then I could every imagine, I've meet alot of unique people and had some great experiences which I will never forget. The unique bar, clubs, adventures around the city, especially Go-Cars with Dev Dawg. We only managed to almost get hit a couple times as well as making a few illegal turns. I could nt of lucked out with a better group, thats probably the reason why I've enjoyed my stay.
Navigating around the cities I've visited has been a challenge in itself, Morrocco was by far the most difficult while Bilbao and Barcelona were the easiest. There are two ways to navigate around the city, well actually three. One, to have the natural talent to just go around the city;two, to be able to look at a map and navigate; and lastly, to navigate by landmarks. Of course, I'm in the last category, I never really attempted to look at a map. I hate to look like a tourist.
Anyways this four month vacation will be missed greatly as well as everyone that is spent time with. I have no regrets on from this semester. I hope that writting this blog a week early will not jinx myself, but well see.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Impossible Morocco...
Alright for our third field trip we went to Morocco, Africa. I first imagined Morocco to be like every other city in Africa that I have seen in a movie, run down, without order and scary, but Morocco was very different. It wasnt a third world country, like I thought. They had electricity, plumbing, etc. it may of not been the best but they still had it. What fascinated me most about Morocco was the craft of the goods. Everything was still made by hand, all fabrics, luggage, jewelry, clothing, I mean everything. It was really unique to still see a community that still used the two best tools on earth, hands.
The Moroccan cuisine was very interesting, I'd say. At first it was amazing but by the end you got sick of the same food for breakfast lunch and dinner. Now dont get me wrong it was very good but I just got tired of the food.
The city itself was by far the most interesting city I'd probably ever experience. No because of the architecture, sure it was beautiful, but it was an addition to the fascinating urban spraw of the city as a whole. There really isnt any order to the city but this is what makes the city so beautiful. The only dissapointment are the amount of satallite dishes on the roof tops, that the only criticism as a whole. It just distracted from the picturesque view, but you have to have your tv somehow.
The city is beautiful but impossible to navigate, and when I say impossible I mean IMPOSSIBLE. Do not try to navigate your way around the city, you should always have a guide that is a native of the area take you around the city. When our tour guide's newphew took a few of us for last minute shopping, he went off the run an errand while we were negociating for some blankets, when we came out he wasnt there. I have never felt so lost in my life but he eventually came back to resucue us.
It wouldnt be hard to negociate around the city but there isnt really any maps to give. There are too many turns, tunnels, and endless roads to navigate without being a native. But if your feeling adventourious, I believe there is a way to do but I never tried. Chris, Clemson's crit, says their is a way to navigate the city but youll have to ask him how to do it cause I have no idea. If you let me go wonder off in the city for 2 minutes, you would never find me and I would probably be living in a corner or something.
All in all Morocco is a truely eye opening city and if you can ever visit the city I would but just make sure you have a trustworthy and reliable guide, not saying we had a bad one. Mo Mo was the best, he always looked out for us and helped us whenever we needed it. He showed us some great places, where alot of us got some really cheap gifts, and he really helped to open our eyes to see how beautiful the city is for what is can offer.
Our hotel, well more of a palace to us, was tremendous. We had heigh ceilings, mosaic tiles, fountains, interior courtyards, lavish beds and baths to name a few. We had this massive complex for only 20 of us. I wish I could remember the name by I cant, it was a joy to stay at this hotel, all the staff and food was great.
The Moroccan cuisine was very interesting, I'd say. At first it was amazing but by the end you got sick of the same food for breakfast lunch and dinner. Now dont get me wrong it was very good but I just got tired of the food.
The city itself was by far the most interesting city I'd probably ever experience. No because of the architecture, sure it was beautiful, but it was an addition to the fascinating urban spraw of the city as a whole. There really isnt any order to the city but this is what makes the city so beautiful. The only dissapointment are the amount of satallite dishes on the roof tops, that the only criticism as a whole. It just distracted from the picturesque view, but you have to have your tv somehow.
The city is beautiful but impossible to navigate, and when I say impossible I mean IMPOSSIBLE. Do not try to navigate your way around the city, you should always have a guide that is a native of the area take you around the city. When our tour guide's newphew took a few of us for last minute shopping, he went off the run an errand while we were negociating for some blankets, when we came out he wasnt there. I have never felt so lost in my life but he eventually came back to resucue us.
It wouldnt be hard to negociate around the city but there isnt really any maps to give. There are too many turns, tunnels, and endless roads to navigate without being a native. But if your feeling adventourious, I believe there is a way to do but I never tried. Chris, Clemson's crit, says their is a way to navigate the city but youll have to ask him how to do it cause I have no idea. If you let me go wonder off in the city for 2 minutes, you would never find me and I would probably be living in a corner or something.
All in all Morocco is a truely eye opening city and if you can ever visit the city I would but just make sure you have a trustworthy and reliable guide, not saying we had a bad one. Mo Mo was the best, he always looked out for us and helped us whenever we needed it. He showed us some great places, where alot of us got some really cheap gifts, and he really helped to open our eyes to see how beautiful the city is for what is can offer.
Our hotel, well more of a palace to us, was tremendous. We had heigh ceilings, mosaic tiles, fountains, interior courtyards, lavish beds and baths to name a few. We had this massive complex for only 20 of us. I wish I could remember the name by I cant, it was a joy to stay at this hotel, all the staff and food was great.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)