Morocco, get ready for me!

......would like to notify you that you have been accepted as a scholarship recipient of the 2010 Morocco Language and Culture Immersion Program. Congratulations!

I woke up to the best email ever, well the million of dollars from publishers clearning house would have been better, but at least this one wasn't a scam. I submitted all my stuff for the Morocco trip March 1st and prior to that I was fortunate to recieve a scholarship for airfare. Yes, it's kinda backwards on getting the airfare money before finding out if I was accepted to the program or not, but alhamdullilah, I was accepted :) It's a one month stay in the city of Rabat and I will be attending the university for summer classes on arabic, politics, culture, etc. 

There are so many sites on attire, but a majority of them reach the consensus on wearing a djellaba or a long skirt with a loose shirt to be comfortable in the heat, but also to avoid attention of Moroccan men and potential problems of being sexually harassed. I would say that's how it is in most countries, don't dress slutty and you won't be grabbed, pinched or poked by strangers, so just keep it proper and modest. No problem, I can do that even a headscarf if required is no problem...I'm just wondering what the restrooms look like. lol #gross but it's a necessity really to know... did I ever show you the "toilet" in China? ... OMG, let me go look for it...it's not the best representation of China's toilets, they do have porcelain and even Western ones, but hey I ran into this "toilet" and give people the restroom warning everywhere...

In my quest for knowledge, I just purchased 3 books based on their ratings and reviews.  

1. Culture Shock! Morocco: A Survival Guide to Customs and Etiquette

2. Eat Smart in Morocco: How to Decipher the Menu, Know the Market Foods & Embark on a Tasting Adventure 

3. Moroccan Arabic: Lonely Planet Phrasebook (I have a mini library of these and rough guides to in my personal library. 

the good, the bad and ugly of China's toilets.... traveller you have been warned. take supplies in your daybag. 

Comments

[melida]

[this is good] that's awesome!!!!!

[Nicole]

Oh those toilets are gross.  I would rather just go in a bush somewhere!  (And I hate going in the bushes).

I have (actually had) lots of friends from Morocco, and in looking at pictures of them and their families, the women there don't dress modestly as a rule.  I've seen women in shorts and tight tops, and most of them don't wear a headscarf. Not sure what it's like in Rabat specifically as none of them were from there.  Anyway, you definitely can't go wrong dressing modestly, but I guess don't worry too much about it.

When are you going?

[Vixtoria]

follow up! http://vixtoria.vox.com/library/post/re-morocco-get-ready-for-me.html