FLIP!

Very excited that the Flip UltraHD camera I bought came in so fast. I'll put some test videos up on here and considering its small it takes good quality shots. it's officially one week until my departure but in true Sarah packing fashion I will be packing Thursday night.

It is currently 6:43 pm in Casablanca and 72 F. Which is better than the horrible winds we have here and the snow covered NJ. However, the temperature is set to go down in the low 60s and rain. That is sad.

مع السلامة

سارة

Last min. weekend to Jersey

Well the title tells it all, I decided to go home for the weekend to get some stuff before I left. Original plan of having the parentals come down next weekend was a wash so I drove home. Because of the 95 traffic that causes mental breakdowns, I had to drive straight to Woodbridge and met the Goddess for dinner. In true Sarah fashion I realized i left my wallet there half way home. After calling twice with no positive news, i was very sad. However, at 2:30 am we got the call saying it was found. So now I didn't have to get a new everything. Instead Saturday was going to the bank for a new card, telling them i'm going overseas and going to Bonefish for my wallet. The manager said "Sarah right? I recognize you from the pictures." now in any other situation that would be creepy but the man had my life in his possession so i said yes. We than went to the mall and back home. Alicia and I went out Saturday night (shout out) and Patti reminded me for the 5th time it was her birthday in a week and she would like something better than what i got her last year. Lucky for her she'll get something while I'm away. Than I went out with Patti's friends and it was a swell time. By now you're wondering what I did in preparation for the trip.....moving on to Sunday.

I'll skip all the details. Didn't start packing until 3 and left at 6 ish. I hope I have enough stuff, i'm trying to pack smart for the first time ever. I know these next two weeks will go by so fast, so i'm trying to prepare slowly for it. For the one credit I have to read a required book and do a paper on a book of choice with a Moroccan theme. I have chosen Hopes and other Dangerous Pursuits. Should be a short read and we can do the work while on the trip. I purchased the Flip UltraHD but the videos/pics won't be up until after i come home.

For those who can't comment with your name I don't know what's wrong so i apologize. But check out the bottom of the main page for additional "pages" where there will be a word of the day and pictures when i have some.

Have a great cold rainy Monday,

سارة,

sarah

T-17 Days

Sallem Aleekom! (hello for those non arabic speakers )
So after having orientation rescheduled twice we finally got to have a Q and A about the trip. Luckily I now know 2 people in the group of 80 (that's right 80) so we'll travel in a wolf pack. For those who thought I was kidding this trip is really mostly those who collect Social Security. It's funny to hear their questions, "are there bathrooms on the bus?" "what about medical attention?" as opposed to the naive young travelers " are there blow dryers in our hotels?" (this was after they said bring your own toilet paper-see Patti travel size TP is useful) and "do we still need our passport?" We are staying in nice hotels, but as they said nice is a relative term.
I'm on the later flight leaving on the 5th leaving Dulles at 9:55 pm arriving in Paris than at Casablanca at 2:55 pm on the 6th. We're staying in Casablanca for the night and part of the next day than heading out on a bus (yes with the geriatrics and their overactive bladders) and continuing the tour. We will be traveling by bus with 2 tour guides plus faculty everywhere. All breakfast and dinners are covered with the trip. The current exchange rate is 1USD = 7.7 Moroccan Dirhams. We're told to bring ATM cards, as they are the best way to get the best exchange rate. We can only hae 40 lbs of luggage, which means i will be packing 5 lbs of stuff so i can bring back alot. You will all be getting good presents this year. As for internet i'll be uber trendy at the internet cafes. The weather should be in the 60s and for dress we can wear jeans and sneakers, dresses/skirts to the knee. Time difference is 5 hours.

Pretty excited, have alot to do before the trip but it will be fun. (pray for no snow here delaying it and no rain over there) {Insert Bogart line here}