Morocco: Livin Like a King (Part 1)

My Train Football Fan Mates... No the Lady did not
Participate in the Drinking

I expected my Saturday trip from Derby to be just like any other travel day, a mixture of reading, sleeping, and jamming to the iTouch. Between the train to London, the Tube to Heathrow, the flight to Belgium then the flight to Casablanca I saw nothing but cramped seats and busy transfers in my future.  However, this particular travel day had a little extra spice… or should I say pints??  On the train ride to London I met a particularly friendly/”wankered” group of football fans on their way to London to watch a match.  After divulging my nationality, they welcomed me with not only open arms but an open invitation to their vast supply of Strongbow.  The trip to London flew by discussing a broad range of topics with my new “mates” who offered drinks in a pub should I ever find myself in Leicester, England. The memories from the train station to my flight departure gate are all slightly blurred from the moderate buzz I was carrying, reflecting back maybe not the smartest decision but definitely better than Kindle time. 

(There was however plenty of Kindle time later that day and the rest of the trip, finished the last bit of Mockingjay and the last 70% of Hawke.  Mockingjay has a horrible ending and is by far the worst of the Hunger Game Series, Hawke is the first of a Tom Clancy like series and was quite a page turner.)

A Golden Shower of Coke in Brussels Airport

Catching the smaller jet from Heathrow to Brussels went just as expected except for the 50% capacity which resulted in an empty seat next to me.  Landing in Brussels we alighted onto the tarmac where a city bus looking transport took us to the main gate.  Shoutout to my sister Corinne who used the Brussels Airport as her main airport during her study abroad in Belgium, it is a neat (and empty) airport.  At the suggestion of my Dad I did some Duty Free Shopping for some delicious Belgium Chocolates as a housewarming gift and boy where they good!

Took Royal Air Maroc for the last leg of my day where I was served a complimentary hot meal on my maybe 40% full flight to Casablanca (you just don’t get the same quality of flights in the US).  Upon landing I was pleasantly surprised to see Yuri, the friend I came to visit, at my arrival gate. I found out Yuri’s grandfather is a retired high ranking General of the Moroccan army and was able to pull a few strings so I received similar treatment in the airport as the Top-Named celebrities.  

After clearing customs we were taken to a fully loaded Mercedes where one of Yuri’s Grandfather’s drivers chauffeured us up to his grandfather’s house in Rabat(The Moroccan capital about 1.5 hours from Casablanca).  Let the Life of Luxury begin!

The Atrium Ceiling, One glimpse of the House

The house where I would be hosted for the next two days reminded me of a mini-palace, with tiled mosaic walls, muraled ceilings, intricate word-worked moldings, marble columns, detailed wool rugs, fine silver dishware… the list goes on and on.  I later found out each feature was hand worked, painted, woven etc. so it they are all one-of-a-kind.  My hosts, Yuri’s grandparents, were some of the most welcoming people I know and it was explained to me that guests are to be treated with the highest honors in Morocco; I definitely saw this level of hospitality.  An assortment of Moroccan cookies were opened, where I ate one while chatting with Yuri’s mother and grandparents (his grandmother spoke no English while his grandfather spoke it perfectly).

The Breakfast Spread: Yuri &Grandfather/The General

The next morning began with a delicious breakfast of Msemen (fried dough) and croissants topped with my choice of fresh jam and honey straight from the hive.  Let me note that every meal was all-you-can eat where large platters would be prepared and brought out by one of the 3 house maids, we would eat till content (or in my case beyond stuffed), then the platters would be taken away for the house maids/helpers to finish in a different room.  At the end of breakfast we were served Mint Tea, a Moroccan traditional drink, made with green tea mixed with fresh mint leaf then slightly sweetened with sugar cubes. I am not a tea fan, but I could not get enough of this drink!

One of the Drivers/Cooks preparing the Cookout Meat

Before I was finished digesting breakfast we were chauffeured over to the Golf Club where we had a traditional Moroccan lunch, I ate Kefta Tagine, before Yuri and I hit the much needed gym, preceding our Hammam.  “I have never felt so at peace” what I whispered to Yuri as I laid in the post scrub down room wearing my thick cotton robe where rose-water-soaked cotton pads were gently placed over my eyes.  Next on the agenda was a cookout at Yuri’s Aunt Fatti’s beautiful/contemporary home less than 5 mins down the road from his grandfather’s.  We dined with much of Yuri’s extended family and feasted on multiple salads, meats, and deserts each bursting with its own unique, mouthwatering flavor.  A food-coma sleep came easy after having such a relaxing day. 

I have posted alot more pictures for the First Half of the trip on Facebook... Friend Me if we aren't already!

*More Moroccan Posts to Come*

Note: I was officially accepted for my Study Abroad in Hong Kong so I am swamped with paperwork to fill out, I will be updating with the rest of my Moroccan trip as I have time!