The holidays have come to an end... and not a moment too soon. The partying in Casa seems to follow the Mediterranean timetable. Bars and clubs don't really get hopping until after midnight. I celebrated Solstice at an early get together and then in solitude (which I enjoyed very much.) Christmas Eve I had the traditional Mexican food and open house. As always it was an eclectic mix of guests which makes conversation interesting. Many of my colleagues from the ELF program and the State Department came as well as some coworkers. Although there were fewer guests than in years past, the party didn't end until after 1.
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| Final guests on Christmas Eve 2019 |
Christmas Day was very unusual. I had a couple of guests staying with me, Ajita and Jordan (also ELFs), and we had a very slow-paced day. We went to a hammam (one of Morocco's greatest inventions) and then went shopping. We stopped at Starbucks for a jolt of caffeine. For dinner we tried an Indian restaurant (which will remain nameless since it was not good), had drinks with some friends, and then went to a club to listen to live music. American music... It was okay, but 4 people had mics on stage and there were no harmonies!!!!
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| Christmas day at Casablanca Starbucks |
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| Going to a club on Christmas Day |
The next day, Ajita and Jordan went to Marrakech for a few days and I worked. In a Muslim country, December doesn't have any holidays (unless Ramadan falls during that time.) However, New Year's Day is a national holiday. New Year's Eve Ajita and Jordan were back and we went to a friend's house and then went out to an underground "alternative" club. I wanted to go around 11:30 to ring in the new year. Luckily everyone else talked me out of it because when we got there after 1, we were the first to arrive. The music selection was odd, but wide-ranging. They started with The Gambler by Kenny Rogers???? but went on to play U2, lots of Arab pop, etc.
Here are a couple of other photos to end the year with... yes, those are spices stacked in the shape of pyramids!
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| Spice shop, Essaouira |
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| Camel on the beach, Casa |
I have been speaking a lot of French lately and a friend sent this to me, so I will share it with you as wishes for the New Year:
Best Wishes
A page is turning
A new one is ready to write upon...
365 days to live and share
In Love and Friendship
So the New Year is nothing but
Gentleness and Beauty!
