We met around 7 PM at the main square and then took a taxi to the neighborhood Marjane, which is named for the large superstore in the area. It’s a relatively newer area on the outskirts of Meknes - I think Fatima Ezzahra said her building was built in the past couple of years! We then walked to a nearby vegetable stand where she prodded us to use our Darija and bought some onions & cucumbers. Once we returned, we went to the roof to see the beautiful sunset over the city.
Fatima Ezzahra always found something for us to do so we were never bored! That night’s activities, in order:
1. Make PB&J sandwiches and Nutella, PB, and banana sandwiches (having her finally try PB was the main reason for our visit - it’s either nonexistent or just different in other countries)
2. Eat said sandwiches (she liked the second kind better!)
3. Talk to her friend on the phone
4. Listen/dance to music
5. Dress up in a traditional taksheeta (Moroccan dress) and take pictures
6. Eat dinner (chicken with olives and homemade french fries)
7. Study (we all had a Fusha test the next day, per usual on Fridays)
8. Sleep around 1:30 AM
It was your typical sleepover, really! In the morning, I washed my hair and we got dressed before eating breakfast and heading out to catch a bus to Bab Tzimi, which is the closest landmark to AALIM - my first experience riding the bus in Meknes!
Fatima Ezzahra is leaving this week to teach Arabic at William & Mary for a year - I’m sad that she’s leaving before our time here is done but I know that this is a great opportunity for her and hopefully I’ll be able to meet up with her in the States! I already invited her to Thanksgiving in case she has nowhere to go for the holiday. Thankfully we still have a few days together before she leaves, including her birthday!