June 14th

Today was my birthday! 🙂

Today was also “transition” day, of sorts.

We were getting around and repacking. Our landlord/host texted and wanted to bring us tea and cake. (Kismet?) Cake and it's my birthday!?! Of course, he doesn't know this, rather it is a gesture as we are leaving today. So we had last of our yogurts and cake with tea. It was walnut and more like a bread, but not overly sweet. Very nice. Finished breakfast and finished our repacking. Then we showered and texted our landlord to settle bill (as we stayed two extra nights and had the sardine meatball tagine meal from his wife). Jeff settled the bill and then I gave him my London Fog coat to give to his wife or she could give to someone in need (because I definitely am not needing it).

Anyway, we lugged our stuff and went out to a main road to hail a taxi. This guy was a very aggressive driver! We are not going to far, but all the luggage, well… We arrived at the apartment complex. It is very windy, even by Kansas stand-ards! We were waiting for our realtor guy. Jeff went back to the street. As I was waiting, he popped his head out the window. I went to get Jeff then he dropped the keys to us and we went up. It was decorated nicer and definitely cleaner. The bathroom floor was very wet. He had been cleaning. We checked hot water, frig was working, and checked gas. It started leaking. He went and got something to fix it, while we explored more and unloaded some. He came back with a new tank and some tubing. After it was fixed, Jeff paid him in full for both months. He left.

I squeegeed the bathroom. Jeff checked frig and started unloading our stuff. We made a list of stuff we need. Then went to procure list. We went down local streets checking stuff out. Found two resin chairs right off. Then kind of overwhelmed and just went to local hypermart. We bought essentials and hired taxi to get us back. As we arrived noticed the bathroom floor wet again! Uh-oh!! Jeff texted realtor guy and he would get a plumber for tomorrow.

We showered again, because well, we had reservations! (Because well, it's my birthday) We went across the street and into the medina. Arrived at d Orient et d'Ailleurs and were seated. We were given a cucumber gazpacho with mint and ginger appetizer. I had starter of local warm goat cheese salad – melting mound of goat cheese over orange and tomato slices on bed of lettuce, sprinkled with raisins and walnuts, topped with mustard vinaigrette; Jeff's meat with caramelized figs and onions wrapped in triangle shaped spring rolls on bed of lettuce, radishes and tomatoes. Then our mains: I had tagine of lamb with pears and prunes – Oh my – with a side of couscous decorated with cinnamon; Jeff had fillet of catch of the day (not sure what fish) with a saffron cream over broccoli and sides of mashed potatoes/ grated carrots with butter, garlic & some Moroccan spice/ and avocado puree. Also had a Moroccan Syrah. This was by far the best meal we have had in Morocco to this point!! What a joy to eat it! Did not make it to dessert.

We went back to our place to see sunset from our window!