So, determined to see some of the city despite my lack of communicative abilities, I threw on my backpack and set out into the Medina. I only got a few strange looks from people, and the most obvious gawking offenders were actually a group of 14 or 15 year old girls. Go figure.
I found my way (accidentally) out of the Medina and went over to the Oudaya which is basically a castle-looking place with lots of gardens, a cafe, and a museum inside. On the outside of the Oudaya is a path which leads to the beach. I decided to take a little walk on the beach and headed in that direction. I saw a Moroccan guy see me, turn around and start following me and I was feeling a bit nervous. He began talking to me after a few feet and turned out not to be frightening at all. His name is Mouhssine and we spoke in broken French/English (mostly English). He wanted to know what I knew of Islam. I told him I knew of Mohammed, and he assured me that Mohammed is "For Spanish man, American man, Moroccan man, all feeling good!" I think that's how Mohammed, Jesus, Buddha, and all those guys PLANNED it - too bad it didn't work out that way Mouhssine.
I enlisted Mouhssine to help me buy a phone and find an internet cafe, both of which he did with great pleasure. He also showed me some nice places to take pictures in the Oudaya, which can be viewed above. At one point he said "The sun is out to today!" I responded, "J'aime le soleil!" He laughed very loudly and said "But you're so white!" ....yeah I guess that's true!
We made our way back into the Medina, where I continued to get completely lost and not be able to find my way back home. He spoke to my Host Dad on the phone and stayed with me until Saiid came to meet us and help me home.
I'm pretty sure Mouhssine thinks I'm his girlfriend now...but we'll straighten that out later.
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