Hey there ya all,

So it am sitting on my bed at the moment e-mailing you from my new laptop. It arrived today and i am so excited!!!! I will be able to keep in contact as i never have been able to before.

Right, so the last blog left off in...Rabat. Now Rabat if you recall is the beginning of the ...end...so to speak.

Great city, as it is the capital of the country. Got to see the mosulium for King Mohammed and King Hossain. It was a rather stunning area. This is a picture of the ceiling and it is made of 24 K gold.

Sale is Rabat's twin city and it is across the river. I love this picture. The fishermen take their catch and sell in the local soques (markets).

Sale is one of my favourite places in Morocco. You can just tell that the people that live there have not seen many tourists...or white people for that matter. They were very nice, and very interested in the three girls wandering around. The soques were genuine as the locals do not have fridges to keep things they would shop everyday for meat and veg. The animals (beef/ chicken/ lamb/ fish) are all very fresh...to the sound of clucking as the chickens were in walking around in pen areas and... "prepared" as they were ordered. It is not unusual to see women and children walking around with a live chicken under their arm, or a lamb on a string. Very different than what we see everyday. This boy and his father are selling sheep to a locals that require one for an upcomming festival.

Then we checked out some local buildings, the mosque, library, school, military museum. It was kinda cool. We had aquired a guide and got to see and do some amazing things. We had to bribe a military guard to let us have axcess to one part of the museum. We got to walk across the top of a wall in order to get a great view of the city.

Check this out:

In the Islamic faith there are three sacred materials used in the construction of buildings (mosques, city halls, rich peoples houses, libraries, etc.) and they are 1) cedar, 2) mosaics, and 3) a special grass.

Here is Ange crossing across the wall. I know it does not look that hight...but it WAS, and i made it across twice.

K, More to come. TTYL M.

Okay, so this is the train trip from Marrakech to Rabat. The train was kinda interesting as it was a relic from the 50's. Very Harry Potter like. Check out the progression as we go from the interior to the coastal areas. It was a four hour trip.

Here is our train as we arrive in Rabat.

Rabat is a really interesting city. Cleaner than Marrakech and it seems to have more money as well. Once we got settled we headed into the Medina (old city). Here is Ange getting some dates at a stall.

We walked down to see the ocean. Here is the lighthouse and the muslum cemetary. They tend (at lease from the places that we visited it was the case) have their cemetaries by the ocean. All graves face mecca which is west for morocco.

Spent Christmas eve, and christmas day in Rabat and Sale. Boxing day we headed by train to Casablanca. More to come so stay tuned.

Hope all is well.

Love and miss, M.

Of course you can't go to Morocco and not see one of these. Is it just me or do these two kinda look a like?

We went for dinner at this amazing place. It was designed after how the kings and sultans would have lived in the past. The food was amazing, and the servise even better.

So the next day we were off to see the Hight Atlas Mountains. They are stunning.

We met this man on the journey. He is a traditional berber (native moroccan). He gave us some authentic moroccan tea which is tea with mint and heaps of suger. He was a very happy man and it is rather interesting because he lived very simply. I bought a jade necklace from him.

Continuing the journey the views were spectacular. This is a fort that was built by the arabic people. They invaded and drove the berber people out of the plains of Morocco into the mountains and this is found just as the mountains are beginning to get serious.

Now this was the Indian Jones like bridge that i crossed. Talk about a challenge but i made it. Just after we had walked across an elderly berbrer man and his grandson crossed. They lived up in the mountains and have to cross this bridge everyday to travel to the small village that is just up the road.

This store is in one of the villages that we stopped at. The man on the donkey passed by us as we sat down to enjoy the view. It is a rather interesting concept to realize that to travel by donkey is a reliable and realistic mode of transportation for these people.

The mountains were great. Next installment is travelling to Rabat (capital) and Sale.

Hey all, So i have finally had the chance to upload some picts from the christmas holiday.

This is in Marrakech at the Place Jemaa El Fna - which means "the place of the dead". In this square executions took place. E.g. people caught for stealing, people that committed religious offences, etc. Today this is the main market area and the beginning of the Soques (streets of shops).

In this square there are many types of venders. One of the specialities of morocco is of course orange juice as orange trees are everywhere.

This square not only has venders selling food, spices, clothing, or jewelery, it also has some rather interesting characters. This man is a traditional water seller. He is traditionally dressed in colourful clothing and he rings his bell to let you know that he is in the area.

No only are there people who sell water, there are snake charmer (which i think i have mentioned before). Check this man out!! That is a cobra that you see. Also on the mat were vibers, rattlesnakes, and some other colourful snake. It was a little scary to say the least - especially when you just happen to turn around and there is a guy standing there shoving one in your face.

This is just outside the Place Jemaa El Fna is the Koutoubia. Is is a very large Mineret. A mineret is the large tower found in moques and it is were "the caller" goes to let the people know that it is the beginning of prayer time. He basicaly sings and it is projected using a very loud sound system. It occures 5 times a day. They can be rather stunning structures.

These are just a vew pictures of Marrakech. Next instalment will feature out trek up into the Hight Atlas Mountains. Hope all is well.

Love and Miss you all.

Martha

So...you have not hear from me in a while. There is a reason. Jac Ange and i have had a bit of a run in with the nasty side of Africa. We caught a bit of a bug (to say the least).

I think that i left off at...Rabat? Sale? Well we took the train to Casablanca nad there the trip started to go down hill fast. Fevers, Runny Poos, chills, and upset stomachs. Jac was hit first and then Me and Finally Ange. Ange and i had a chance to explore the city Casablanca a bit more than Jac but we did do a tour of the city. The nightmare was really the trip that we had to make from Casablanca to Agadir - ( 9 hour bus ride on a bus with NO toilet!!!! - and Runny poo (also known as TBI) ... it was a little sketch to say the least.)

Well let me tell you... We started out at the bus station to catch the 11:30 bus - which was delayed by an hour and we had no clue what was going on because no one seemed to speak english. My fench allowed me to figure out the the bus was "retarded" (late) by one hour - and it later turned out to be acually 2 hours.

Finally we get on the bus with the help of a nice guy named Youness. Thank GOD for Youness!!! That man helpd us more than we could ever tell him. Jac and Ange were really to fall over and i was not that far behind them as by the time we had to catch the bus we had not been able to keep anything in us for about 3 days. Talk about no energy.

Youness is a young guy (24) who was going home to visit his family for Holiday. He worked in Casa (as it is called in morocco) and his english was really good so he acted as our interpriture and guide making sure that we had what we needed. Which was great seeing that we had no energy to put forth a propper effort. He had asked us at one of the TWO (yes a 9 hour trip with 2 stops! When you have TBI it proved to be a bit of a challenge) what hotel we were staying in and when we told him he said that it was not good and we could not stay there becasue it was not nice at all. So this kind man called another place found out how much it was going to be (got the price down to 300 dhs which was cheaper than what we were planing to pay at the other place) and then left us to discuss what we wanted to do. We took him up on the new hotel offer. Once we arrived in Agadir (in one piece thank god) he walked us there. It was so nice of him.

The next day we got up and went to the chemist to get drugs. Felt better and stopped having TBI so off to the ocean we headed. I got to see some great waves. Jac went swimming (i was not so brave as it was rather cold but Jac loved it). Walked barefoot in the sand and in the waters edge and soaked up the sun. It was a great way to end the trip that was quickly turning into our own private hell. Youness joined us and we all had the chance to talk with him and ask him questions. Had a really good time.

Got to see the sun set over the ocean and it was really really beautiful. Then off to the airport.

That trip was kinda funny. Man did we laugh. There was the three of us in the back of a taxi and in the front was the driver, who spoke no english, Youness who wanted to come with us so he could say goodbye, and thehotel reception guy. That was kinda odd because we hadno idea what he was doing there. Turns out he lives on the way to the airport so he caught a lift.

So as the six of us are driving down the road we are listening to berber music and moroccan rap on the radio and speaking 3 different languages in the care (Youness was rather busy trying to make sure we knew what was going on). Then one of the highlights was seeing these two men on a moterized push bike (you know it really is a normal bike with a motor - still has the petels and everything). Now this is a rather normal sight in morocco - what made it rather interesting was the fact that these two men had a sheep stuck between them. It was so odd.

Now in Amsterdam. Had the Doctor in to the hotel and he gave us some drugs (we have caught a parasite he confirmed) and we threw out the old moroccan drugs because they were not the right kind to be taking.

Feeling a LOT better so we hope to enjoy the new years bash. To our dismay we are in amsterdam to celebrate new years and we are not allowed to drink because of the medication!! What luck we have been having eh!!!


Hope all is well with you and that you all have a great new years.

Miss and love you all,

Martha

BONNE NOEL!!!!!

Happy Christmas everyone!!!

So today wegot up early and did a major tour of Salè (twin city of Rabat). It was fantastic. We hired a Guide (local man that had good french and okay english) to give us a tour. We went to the local grande mosque, the library, an elementary school, the war museum, and got a chance to go to his house for tea, In morocco tea is very important and if you are asked to someones home for tea that is a privilage.

We toured around the Souques (market streets) and sawsome amazing things. we were the only white people there andthe locals were very poliet, friendly, and interested in us. You can tell that not many tourists got there so we were really off the beaten track. It was great. The food here is really fresh - the chickens were stillalive and only arekilled when you buy them! The lamb same thing and the fish are still moving on the tables!

Having a blast. Tonight we are back to the market in search for some jewelery and leather goods. (I hope the purses are not still moving but you never know!)

Sorry no pictures yet...soon;

Oh.... i forgot to mention that i have had a man want to know how many camels it would take to have me. He offered 20,000. Someone should ask Dad if that is a good enough offer or if he wants a better deal!!!

Miss and love you all - off to Casablanca tomorrow morning.

Hello Again All,

So it is christmas eve and from what i hear Father Christmas will be visiting all the good boys and girls around the world. Dont know if he will find me but that is fine and dandy as i am having the time of my life already! Hope that he does find all of you!

Today Jac, Ange, and i took the train to Rabat. What a great city. Not touristy at all so we feel that we are really into the culture and the environment. It is also a lot cleaner than Marrakech.

Went to the Markets and the old medina (old city) fantastic! so crouded and busy. people yelling out prices. Also saw a proper ocean with propper waves. Totally cool.

All is well here think that we may stay another day here then off to Casablanca for a few days.

Hope all is well

Miss and love you all,

M.

Hello All,

So at the moment i am sitting in an internet cafe in Marrekech typing on the most confusing keyboard in the world so if things dont make sense sorry.

Arrived in Morocco on Friday morning early [2 am; 21/12/06] because our flight was delayed out of gatwick. we were lucky to get out at all because of the fog.

Slept in on Friday morning then off to an outdoor cafe to have breakfast while getting a good look at the new city (the part of marrekech we are staying in] . City is amazing. We took a bus trip around the city to have an overall look at it. Then we stopped at the menara gardens where the sultans of the past have entertained their women and guests.

Then off to see the Theatre Royal and the La Kontoubia which is a 77 foot tall tower attatched to the mosque. it is used by the callers to tell the people when prayer time is to begin (there is one of these across the street from my school in birmingham]. Stuning buildings.

Next to the markets to see the snake charmers/ food stalls/ spice stalls/ orange juice venders (made fresh squeezed in front of you and an experience not to be missed)/ shopping stalls full of... everything: shoes scarfs jewelery leather goods clothing tshirts and much more/ the teeth venders which will sell you real human teeth (poor people sell their teeth for money) and these wonderful dentists (sitting on their ricketty chairs in the middle of the square with their teeth layed out on the blank they spred on the ground) can also remove troubled teeth for you for a price.

shopping wize i have haggeled and barginned my way through some really good deals i am proud to say. Dad can be proud. The Souques (winding allies full of shops and venders) are hard to comprehend. I have some amazing photos but no wat to download them yet.

It is shocking t o see the poverty here. people have very little. I am glad that i brought with me some coloured pencils for the children. although sad that i have had to show several of them how theye work because they did not know what they were.

Last night (22/12/06) the girls and i went to go see a dinner and show thing. it was in the middle of nowhere and fantastic. All guests there were tourists but it is designed as a replica of how the sultans of the past would dine and what type of entertainment they would enjoy. This included trick horseridders (acrobates riding fast arabian horses)/ beautiful women dancing in traditional dress/ musicians and singers from different tribes across morocco. It was amazing. And the FOOD wow. Start with beef and veggy soup/ roasted lamb/ couscous with chicken and roasted veggies/ dessert which i dont have any idea of how to describe/ and fresh fruit. Now these dishes all came to us on Platters and on the very BIG kind. I ate a LOT of food. It was great.

Today (23/12/06) Jac Ange and i took a trip up to the High Atlas Mountains. We have seen the dessert of Africa and the snow of africa. We stopped at several berber villiages (native peoples are known as berbers) / got to talk to locals/ were hasseled a bit to buy things from them / saw some waterfalls/ climbed across an indian jones bridge. It scared the poop out of me but i did it. It really really really was just some stikes strung together.

Made it back to our hotel and off to the internet cafe. Will rest tonight as we are off tomrrow morning early to catch a train to Rabat via Casablanca. Then we will work our wat down the coast.

Pictures will be coming i promise.

Miss and love you all. Merry Christmas.

M.

Hello all,

Well the Christmas season is once again upon us. I must say it could not have come at a better time. Boy am i ready for a break. School has been good...but the kids and the staff were starting to climb the walls this past week.

Has the staff chrismas party last night and had some fun. Nothing to major as i did have to get up early this morning to head into London.

Oh, by the way...not sure if this made the news on the other side of the world but we have had some major fog here and it has caused some serious flight issues. Thank God (Grandma i know you have been praying for us so thanks for your input!!!) our flight was one of the few NOT cancelled.

Tonight (21/12/06) at 9:05 pm (so thats...4:05 pm in Canada) i am being wisked away to the wonderful world of Morocco (and no it is not the Disneyland version!!!!) Spending time in Marrakesh, Casablanca, Rabat, Sale, and many other locals...were ever the wind takes us. Atlas Mountains are on the list of things to do as is Algers (sp?). Then we flight out on the 29/12/06 to Amsterdam to ring in the new year in style!!! Back to Birmingham on Jan 2 and Back to WORK on Jan 3, 2007.

Hope that you all have a great holiday and i am missing you like you would not believe!! I will try to update this during my trip but we wil have to see about internet access (at the airport right now and it is costing a and arm and a leg!!!)

Take care, merry christmas and i hope that Santa brings you everthing that you want

Love m.

Hey,

So this weekend was Jacqui's birthday. Friday night we went to a wonderful new place not far from where i live. Atticus. It is so great because it is SMOKE FREE. Everyone smokes in this country and it is getting on my nerves.

Also, i had one of those momments that seems so rare these days. As i know a total of...maybe 20 people in all of England it is odd when you just randomly bump into someone that you recognize. That happened to my on Friday night. A young post office worker (Aunt Tina you might like this!!!!) that works at the office near my work, and that is were i post most things back to Canada, almost ran me over at the bar Friday night. It so surprized me at the time because that kind of thing just does not happen here. I just it is a sign that i am truely becoming a part of the culture and way of life here in Birmingham England.


Anyway, Saturday we headed off to Oxford - University central here in England. How beautiful a city... and not since Guelph have a see so many bikes in one spot!!!

Here are a few picts of the area.

Check out the grass...remember this is December 10th. On the train ride to Oxford we passed a golf course and it was busy!!!

Saturday night we went out to a place called the Barfly. Fun was had by all.

Sunday was recoupe. I cooked propper Canadian Pancakes with REAL Canadian maple syrup. It was said to be a success. Sunday afternoon we bowles our hearts out. I suck at 10 pin bowling. i had the "high" score of 22 after 10 frames.

Hope all is well with you, and miss you all lots. Much love, Martha

P.S. i noticed i have not really had a picture of me on as of late. This is how i am looking. Bye.

Birthday Weekend Part Two:

So after walking across London Bridge we headed for Leicester Square. This is where we bought tickets for the theatre - went to see Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks at the Royal Haymarket Theatre. It stars Billy Zane. Quite good. The theatre itself was just gorgeous. Felt like i was stepping back into time with the gold leaf trim, silk wallpaper, chandelier, ornate theatre boxes. Totally cool...it sucked that we could not take pictures. These are off the net.

Then off to have a few drinks. At midnight i had the pleasure of having Happy Birthday sung to me on a London Tube Car by the girls.

Sunday morning we went to a treck into Hyde Park (and saw some Canadian Geese!!). Walked to Buckingham Palace - which is very nice and very busy. The fountains were very cool.

And of course you can't leave out Big Ben.

Miss you all, and thank you to all that send me birthday wishes.

Love always, M.

P.S.

Here is a picture of me with the London Bridge. I took it myself :) Listening to some music walking along the River Thames. It was a fantastic weekend. I wish you were all there with me.

Hello all,

So since i last left a note a few things have happened.

(1) The German Christmas Markets have opened in Birmingham. Great atmosphere for the holiday season.

(2) Went to London for a day (sat.) to meet up with Hollie - Emily's college roommate from Bishops. She has just moved to London herself. It was so nice to see (and hug) someone from home. It made me miss you all even more than i do!!! Did no see much as we just had a good meal and talked.

(3) I have turned another year older... and i thought... well if it going to happen i might as well do it in London!!! So went up for the weekend.

Friday we took the train up after the Timeplan Christmas party in Birmingham. Just crashed at our hostel for the night (Stayed in an area called Earl's Court - thought dad would like that one).

Satudary had an early day with lots seen. Spent some time in Nottinghill - Portobello Road has the most amazing outdoor markets. Everything from food to cloths to jewelery to antquites. And the antques there are OLD especially in comparison to North American Standards.

Check this out:

Then off to see St. Paul's Cathedral. Very imposing.

(Rach and Ange.)

Crossed the Millenium Bridge next and got a fantastic view of...London Bridge!!!


This is my favourite picture that i took over the weekend.

More to come on part two...