Rabat

This weekend Sarah and I embarked on our first solo adventure! We got up early on Friday morning and packed our backpacks so we could leave right from school. It took us a while to find a taxi that would bring us to the train station but we finally made it, got our tickets, and ran to catch the train. Since we were some of the last to board we got to stand for the entire ride! We began in the back (Sarah got stuck in the doorway of the bathroom!). Later we moved to the hallway...which had a better view.
Our plan was to stay in a small family run motel in the medina. However, we found out that our dinner destination was not open yet and right next to it was a big, nice hotel called Hotel Balima. We decided, for convenience and because it was getting dark, to stay there instead. We settled in, ate dinner, and called it a night.
Saturday began with breakfast at the hotel; putting on our backpacks, chacos, and sunglasses; and heading out with cameras to be tourists! Walking down Ave. Mohammad V, we had to laugh when a man came skipping by us shouting and giggling, "I love U.S.A." What a way to start the day :) First stop...the medina. Now medinas are where most tourists get lost. I wouldn't say we were completely lost, but we weren't exactly sure where we were either :) But, we made it out alright and with a few purchases as well!
Next stop...the kasbah. This is the oldest part of Rabat (the original "ribat"). Much like the medina, the kasbah had the narrow winding alleys. The difference though was the peaceful nature. So different from the hussle and bussle of the medina, I felt like I was in a new world. We made our way through the winding streets to the Andalusian Gardens. It was so nice to be surrounded by so many green things! In my lovely, dirty home of Casablanca (with white contrete buildings...casa - house, blanca - white), I miss the trees and grass and flowers.
On to Le Tour Hassan and Mausoleum of Mohammed V... Le Tour Hassan would have been the second largest mosque of its time (if it had been completed). Unfortunately the sultan died before it was complete and later an earthquake hit, leaving only the unfinished minaret and a forest of pillars. The Mausoleum is where the coffin of Mohammed V is kept. This building was amazing on the inside...intricate tile work, carvings, gold everywhere...it was incredible!
We ended our day with the Mega Mall :) Although it was not so "mega", it was nice to go to a mall. We walked around, got some ice cream, and called it a day. We were tired, but we had fun!!!

*** I put pictures from this weekend on my Picasa album...just so you know :)