May 30th

Today was orientation to our surroundings and food shopping for our place. We were out and about by 8ish for quick breakfast stuff. Found a small shop and bought yogurt and bread after an ATM adventure – the machine kept Jeff's card and did not give us money. Thankfully, it was an open bank ATM and received Jeff's card back with some dirham, Moroccan currency. We walked back to our place and ate our breakfast. The bread reminded Jeff and I of old school Roman Meal bread. While we were eating, we kept hearing the children at recess – peals of laughter and shouts of exuberant youth. It was great. There is a school that is right next to us – our front room window looks out over the alcove where they recess.

Now that we have eaten, comprised our real shopping list and caught a bus to another bus to get to the Hypermart Carrefour. It is great to just see the different things, and food stuffs!  Found a rotisserie chicken. So paid and loaded up, but Jeff called for a inDrive – their version of Uber. We arrived back for yummy seasoned chicken. 

After we finished lunch and sorting, we went back out. Found me a SIM card; bought some light bulbs – for ceiling fixture in front room (was missing two!), also one for the bathroom; and smelled some POPCORN – had to have a small bag (the vendor was right in front of the school when it was letting out…smart!). We also bought some watermelon from a small fruit stand. We have been seeing people selling them from back of their trucks. 

And then back to our place to eat our watermelon. Yum, so fresh, and juicy. It had seeds and took me back to eating watermelon with Joe – he tried to teach me how to spit them. But that lesson did not stick. Finished, we took a siesta. It's a bit warm, but not hot. Lastly back out for sunset and night views of city. We heard the call to prayer – not the first time here, but struck me don't hear it in our place.

So I have to mention a couple of impressions. First, last night on our way from airport, I noticed horse-pulled carts using same roads as we zipped past them. Second, construction everywhere! I take this as a positive.  Third, smell of grains from the bread and exotic spices everywhere!