Blueberry crepes just shy of 3

We were invited to attend a symposium at the Mohammed V Rabat University. We listened to doctoral candidate students' research summaries on critical thinking in education. Our TGC Fellow and  colleague Todd Noyes presented on rewriting algebra curriculum to integrate global competencies.
After a long day of academics, a small group of us decided to step out for a quick bite to eat. Earlier we had seen a cafe along the Bou Regreg called Blueberries that our travel mates had raved about their crepes.
After being seated we prepared to order the renowned blueberry crepes only to be told they were out of blueberries. So how about cheese crepes? No, out of crepes too. So, the the best tactic to take was to ask what they DID have. We had a delicious array of seafood and pasta dishes nonetheless.
And our quick bite out only took 2 1/2 hours.

This is what an engineer looks like

Today we visited the Moulay Youssef high school next to the royal palace in Rabat. It is the #1 public high school in the country; winning international awards and engineering competitions. Top students from around the country compete with grades to attend. The students were shy, but could not hold back their enthusiasm to talk to us.

Travel Weary

After more than 36 hours of travel over three flights, and seven hours of time zones, the travel is not done.
My partner Mrs. Haas and I have to now travel to our teaching destination in Agadir, and it looks like bus is our best option. 
Oh my.

Those of you who traveled to the Yucatan Peninsula with me on the bus might remember the nifty shades of green I turned.

Three Hours Part Zhzhuzh (two)

So, you would think that my post today would be about our lunch with the President of the (of the country) English Education Association who spoke about reforms to the Moroccan language education system. About how they are moving towards integrated subjects and project learning, and trying to get teachers to stop "covering the curriculum ." Or our visit to the Ecole Normale Superieure (the National Education University) where all teachers earn their certifications. The President of the University welcomed us then the teachers and students shared their personal experiences in the Moroccan education system, their path to becoming a teacher, and the struggles they face, as did we.
But no, it is going to be about the food. I think we spent 5 of our waking hours eating and drinking, which included another 3 hour dinner with 5 courses. One of the courses was comprised of 3 main dishes. I am only complaining in the fact that I did not train prior to my arrival for this much food, otherwise it is unreal, fantastic, and enchanting.
I am having difficulty uploading pictures and will include them in a future post. Pictures of the food of course.

Three Hours

 I had my first Moroccan tea and dinner on a boat on the river Bou Regreg between Sale and Rabat.  I normally like tea, but this tea is enchanting; mint, sugar, and a splendid service with fresh cookies. Dinner was nearly 3 hours long, after which I was delirious having had only 3 hours sleep during the past two days of travel.
Good Night.

Breakfast at 11:20pm

Just over an hour away from Paris (7:20am) and the flight crew has awaken the cabin with breakfast. However it is the middle of the night for me and I have not been able to sleep.
Being served meals on a flight causes me to reminisce about a time when everyone was treated like they were in first class.

I'll consider it a movement

More than 260 PV students wrote letters for me to bring to Morocco. Interesting how many of the letters were the same; how many mentioned  In and Out Burger, and how many love tacos. Many students described their daily lives as going to school, hanging out, listening to music, playing video games, and going to the movies.
I am excited to bring letters home to them.
I wonder if the Moroccan students' letters will be so similar to each other's too.