Parade of Horribles....

So the parade of horribles that I've grown to love, but not yet mingle with were just enjoying their saturday afternoon. Ian and I were crossing the street when all of a sudden I hear this commotion, a man running, a lady scurrying, people stopping to let the crazy battle ensue.

So, I transition from my "Pieton traversez en double temps" to a crawl b/c one of the parade participants is coming after the bourgie lady.
(Keep up people, bourgeosie made simple.)
So she's looking all high society scurrying away and I'm thinking this guy is going to kick her ass. But as I approach I can hear what's going one...Retournez, Retournez, Donnez moi....squak, squak, squak.
Right? You're with me. I'm understanding the dialogue and this guy hasn't had anything but Champagney all day long.

So get this...this crazy chick lifted potted plants from the Parade of Horribles. Now keep in mind that these flowers were probably once stolen, but I'm a Robin Hood fan. She wouldn't give the flowers back until the Parade conductor ripped them out of her hands. And then there was peace.

Everyone went back to their previous strides, people still looking a little confused and then disgust came over my face and my little puzzle pieces formed the mosaic. This Little Miss Bourgie came along and gangster bitched the memorial flowers for one of the deceased parade participants. The 40 ft. tree is the largest tombstone that I've ever seen, there's a photo attached with lovely ribbons of the spot that had once been occupied at the Place de Republique, and at the foot of the tree lay wrapped flower and the reinstated potted plants.

Can you believe it? Bourgie stealing from the homeless memorial?? Oh, I wanted to kick her in the head when I realized.

That's all for now, I'm exhausted just reliving the incident.

Ok, I'm way behind on life right now. I'll post some pics of Marrakesh and then bring you all up to speed.

Porte d'eau (i.e Man who carries water)
I never drank water from this man. He cannot be blamed for any of the little men that invaded my body. This is a sneak attack camera shot because had he seen me, he'd have followed me until I handed over the cash. Nothing is free in Marrakesh.






Me and my camel friends.
No, I didn't ride them, just pulled over to the side of the road for the photo opp.

OUT OF AFRICA....
Sometimes it's just a little weird walking around the city. I'm continually saying to myself...I'm in Africa. It's just one of those places that you hope you have the chance to see, experience and enjoy. Planning to head to Marrakesh and beyond.


1. Hassan Mosque
2. Jackass
3. The Medina

ATLANTIC OCEAN

This is Jay and I at the beach in Morocco. I'm seriously scantilly clad and loving it. I think I may be reflecting the sun here.

p.s. Jay's my roommate in Paris. I think he's yet to make a visual in the Blog. And, yup, he's at least a foot taller than me. The first time I walked around the Medina, no problem b/c he was walking 3 feet behind me. I like the cultural role reversal!

Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca

I am standing here beside myself.

Assalam Alaikum....

Greetings friends and family. Je suis arrivee en Maroc. I'm currently taking a course on Entrepreneurship in Casablanca and enjoying the life here. I think this is what I had envisioned for the pursuit of MBA. Go to school for a few hours, then shop, go to the beach, take a nap, have a few cocktails and then open a book every so often. I'm enjoying life here too much. Class is only 4 hours a day and because Ecole Hassania is a part-time program, the class is only in the p.m.

So, I've worked on the Redondo Beach tan that I have been without since moving to Edinburgh. I was happy to see that I still had a little beach girl in me, so my slight burn quickly turned into a tan. Ya-woo!

Casablanca was really reminding me of California and then finally it came to me that it's exactly like Palm Springs. My internal GIS is improving and I came to learn that the 2 cities actually sit on the same parallel. Good stuff.

The first two days were filled with studies and applications, but now my time can be redirected towards the exploration of Morocco. The food is delicious and I just came back from an amazing couscous feast. Solo, I walked the Medina yesterday and was harassed with snake-like hisses. I don't know why I didn't stop and talk, it was so endearing. Can't imagine. Purchased a scarf to go to the Mosque; however when I arrived visiting hours had come and gone; maybe another day. I been speaking more French, but for the most part no one ever seems to understand me. Most people are used to speaking this type of Frarabic so they continually are in and out of the two languages, much more fluent than the Spangish.

Have to get running. I'll post pics. Apparently, I've been a little longwinded in the postings and more pics are wanted. But hey, you travel to a bunch of countries and see what it's like where you can barely speak to anyone. My laptop and I are like best friends forever, or maybe it's more just the voices in my head that continue to speak to me.

Oh, I have Skype now too. I'll post that number or address...and people can call me there too.

Jesus loves me yes I know......Laura

Inquiring Minds Want to Know.....

Of course I never got on the elevator to Shanghai. I wouldn't have been able to write these stories if I had. Sorry that I left you all hanging that was not my intention. No elevators, no art, no muggings, fully clothed, etc. I think that sums up the questions that I've been receiving. Plus, my mother taught me well.

I got out of China on Monday. I guess my flight was scheduled early in the morning, who knew? I actually found out the night before that I was leaving in the a.m. so it drastically cut into my souvenir shopping. In other words, if you don't receive anything in the mail, I was probably shopping for you on Monday, but the trip was cut short.

I hate KLM! They only allow 20 kgs for travel. Who goes to China and only returns with luggage under 20 kgs? Sounds like a complete airline scam. After dealing with the Chinese post and mailing my belongings back to my parents in CA, I was able to board my flight. One of the items may have been illegally removed from the country. I can't state the validity of such a claim.

I returned to Paris being greeted on the train by of course, more Chinese travellers...Chinese travellers speaking French (language overload.) It was all good...I need to expand my breadth of Mandarin vocab which currently consists of Hi, Thank you, 58, 88 and No. I like to say them at random pretending I know the language. Oh, I know the numbers because that's the address of my friend and also where I got my massage, so I'm quite proud of myself for learning 58 and 88. I also picked up the numerical sign language which the taxi drivers were all amused by.

I started back in class today which I'll have through Saturday. Sounds miserable, but it's really not too bad.

Ok, here's the kicker. i know you think I the big jet setter these days, but as I told Patrick, I'm really just trying to see how much money I can spend being unemployed. So, this Sunday I will be heading to Morocco for another class. I'm trying to see how many continents I can visit within 3o days! It's a class in Entrepreneurship and I'm really looking forward to checking out the country. I'll have a few extra days for travel so will head out of Casablanca to Marakesh. I am looking into import/export, but haven't figured out if it's strictly to expand my personal jewelry and purse collection or if it good serve the greater good. I'm thinking it's the former.

I'm starting to get grades back from my second semester and have achieved significantly higher scores than my first semester. I really think the first dose was boot camp, where they beat us into submission just to build us back up again. I'm quite pleased b/c I received my first A which is rather difficult to accomplish in the UK system. I'm still waiting for my Business Finance grade, but he's on strike...no joke. I'm actually hoping he holds on tight to that picket sign and foregoes the grade...it may serve me better in the long run.

I need to sleep. I'm lacking desperately in that arena. But hey, I'm back safe and sound from China and enjoying the late nights in Paris (the sun is setting around 10 p.m.) Love it!

Talk to you soon.

Love Loyalty Friendship,
Laura