As mentioned in a previous post, we've been put up in a hotel, about a 10 minute walk from campus. Double rooms, but comfortable:

And, best of all a Western-style bathroom!

Definitely a step up from last summer! Here is the hotel common room:

Most afternoons and evenings, it would be packed with people studying Arabic (much to the bemusement/befuddlement of the hotel's Maghrebi guests). However, we're currently in the post-midterm weekend, so most people have taken off for more exciting locales, like Fes.

Having traveled around Morocco before, I opted to stay in Tangier and actually see a bit of the city during our 36 or so hours of free time. So far, it seems to have been a good choice. We spent Friday night tooling around the old medina, wandering in and out of shops and chatting with bookstore owners. Grabbed dinner at a great hole-in-the-wall place I found last week: chicken brochettes (shish-ka-bobs) heavy with turmeric, and b'shara, a thick, fava bean (?), cumin and oil puree. Washed down with the best soft drink of all time, Fanta Limon.

Yesterday, we (the 6 women who stayed in Tangier) crammed into a grande taxi and headed to the beach. I don't have any pics, so you'll have to take my word on it's gorgeousness. Got dropped off near the Caves of Hercules, in a plaza full of cafes and camels. As we walked to the actual beach, we ran into a wall--literally. Happily, there was about an 8 inch gap between the bottom of the wall and the ground; looked like a bit of ungainly slithering would do the trick. However, emerging on the other side, we found ourselves at the feet of some grim looking security guards. Apparently, we had breached an exclusive resort compound! The guards explained very seriously that our presence was "interdit" and escorted us to the gate. We tried not to giggle too much, especially as one of our merry band, with a very contrite look but imperfect french, told the guards that we were "a little bit sorry." Ah, representing America abroad...

After the brief detour, we made it to the beach: a broad stretch of clean sand and VERY cold Atlantic currents. Also, bunches of locals, beach umbrellas and sandwiches in hand; apparently some Saturday excursions are universal. It was a lot of fun and refreshingly low key. We had asked one of the hotel receptionists before we left if it was appropriate to wear bikinis, instead of one-pieces, as our program directors had suggested. She looked almost offended at the question:"Of COURSE," she said. "This isn't Saudi Arabia!"

Finished off the day with Chinese food and a beer. Apparently, Tangier is still an international city.