Blood, Sweat, and Beers

For the circumstances, I was able to sleep relatively well on Friday night. After the surprise party winded down, I got some last minute things together and clocked out.

On my way to the airport, I didn’t have the nerves I thought I would. It was all rather tranquil. First snag I hit was at the ticket counter at DIA, when an agent tried to tell me that I needed a visa to enter Morocco, which is true, but she had no understanding of how the visa process works.

After resolving the issue, I sped through security and grabbed a bagel, arriving at my gate ridiculously early to sit and think about the day ahead of me.

I met up with Cassie Odneal, who is participating in the same program as me and had the same three flights (Denver > New York > Paris > Rabat). It definitely helped to have a travel buddy to lighten the mood when things got… interesting.

At JFK, we grabbed our last American cheeseburgers at the Shake Shack, a well worth it $10 meal. After realizing we needed to switch terminals, which meant going through security again, we found ourselves rushing helplessly through the airport.

I feel obligated to share that, as we entered the correct terminal, I may have over-excitedly opened the door while simultaneously standing too close. I found myself with a seemingly broken and very bloody nose, but TSA didn’t ask any questions. Provided some much needed laughs and perhaps a sign to relax a little bit.

For being such a long flight, New York to Paris wasn’t that bad. Watched the sun set and rise, ate two meals, watched some movies, and it was over.

Everyone eating snacks and talking while
we waited for some late arrivals.

In Paris, the pains of traveling started to kick in. I impulsively purchased an $8 latte to help out. At our gate for the flight to Rabat, we ran into basically everyone else participating in an SIT program. The flight was short and sweet, but was followed by some agonizing wait times for the program representatives and then again for late arrivals.

Buses took us into Rabat to Hotel Darna, where we will be staying for orientation week. It’s a very historic hotel with beautiful décor and architecture, and it has been recently restored. I was luckily enough to receive my own room. We had about 45 minutes to shower and settle in, and then it was off to the Cross-Cultural Learning Center for a tour, introductions, and a nice Moroccan dinner of beef, carrots, eggplant, potatoes (maybe?), and a banana.

A view from the second level of the
Cross-Cultural Learning Center.

It may be because of the humidity, but it is crazy hot here. I showered after I got settled in, but promptly started sweating again about 30 seconds later.

Morocco is a fascinating place full of life and tremendous diversity. It will take adjustment, but it’s going to be hard not to fall in love with it. I have somewhat of an early morning tomorrow, but stay tuned.