7/23/24
We’ve arrived! Hard to believe that after all the heavy lifting of boxes, the mental weight of a monumental change, and all the emotional farewells, we made it to Casablanca Morocco.
The travel was fairly painless, other than for my lack of sleep as I was sandwiched between my head-bobbing husband, and another woman to my right who I could tell was praying for me throughout the flight. With much relief, all 9 bags arrived. Transporting them from baggage claim to our transport wasn’t quite as seamless, but we made it nonetheless. Stepping into the heat exiting the airport doors was the biggest shocker, but we were greeted by our friendly drivers. My one request (thank goodness) was a bottle of water for the unairconditioned backseat drive. I have to remind myself…this is the desert.
Casablanca airport is in the middle of nowhere. While advances are quickly being made in preparation for the world cup in five years, with modern advances such as expanded roads, tree-planting, and block apartment structures, it is still an arid expanse with limited green space.
Stepping into a new country, it’s always an experience that awakens the senses. Be it smells- some fragrant and intoxicating, others not so pleasant. I realize what a sterilized environment we live in within the States.
We spent three days in a hotel in Casa, the same place we stayed when we ventured out for the interviews in February. It helped us to acclimate ourselves, ground us a bit, and adjust to a new setting while also preparing for our move with all the logistical necessities. We’ve been reminded that everything takes more time and our timetable may not be the same as others.
Highlights from the few days included our oceanfront view of the locals playing soccer on the beach, a luxurious dinner at Lilly’s, an upscale restaurant on the water with dim sum. Eating at Kerstin’s husband’s restaurant: Table III, and the Moroccan hospitality.
From Casablanca, we took the high-speed train to Tangier where we stayed on the top floor of a Riad in the heart of the Kasba. White-washed dwellings, the Mediterranean in the backdrop and a day trip to Asila, a quaint town on the northern coast of the Atlantic that was Spanish territory until 1956. It’s a haven for artists, some specializing in murals. We headed along the northern coast visiting Cap Spartel (the point at which the Mediterranean and Atlantic merge), the Hercules Cave, and other scenic stops along the way.
We’re still finding a rhythm with our sleep schedules, and digesting different cuisines- but absorbing and appreciating this opportunity and making time to interact with the people.
I’ve captured video and pics of our time so far, and working on the next steps with a communication tool. I wanted to let you all know we are well and miss you dearly. We hope this email (1st blog post), finds you well.
We always love hearing from family and friends so send us a note. We move into our new home in Casablanca on Wednesday and start work soon thereafter.
