Skydiving!

Before I actually start this post, let me just tell you that I didn't actually skydive so don't get excited! I was however at the place all day while my friends went, and I thought that the Moroccaness of it all merited a blog entry.
So, it all started when my friend Victoria decided that she wanted to go skydiving. Through some connections we found that there was actually a place and that it had a pretty good reputation. So yesterday we got up unbelievably early for a saturday and started the 2 hour drive to get there. Our friend Amine, who was driving wasn't going to skydive either, but him and I were just a long for the ride! As we were driving inland it was neat to see the "real" Morocco that you tend to forget about when you live in a city like Casablanca, and since it's spring everything was green! We finally got to the airfield where we found out that it's actually a French company which is only there for 4 months out of the year, because they travel around. So we all get out and everyone is pretty excited about going when they find out they can only go one at a time because there is only 1 tandem chute. Which means about an hour of wait time for each person, Amine goes (he decided last minute to jump) Lena goes, at this point Victoria is so freaked out I'm afraid she might hyperventilate. So we are psyching her up to jump and then the little man in the bright green jumpsuit comes and tells us in Arabic that we can't jump because it's time for lunch and everyone is going to eat. I thought Victoria was going to loose it! So after about an hour lunch break, Victoria finally gets to go! She had a good time, but her nerves were a little shot after. Then our friend Ali gets ready to suit up, but wait...here comes the mayor! Oh yes, that's right, the mayor comes which in most places would be a nice boost for the business but that's about it. Well in the middle of nowhere in Morocco when the Mayor comes it's right up there with the king. The whole town showed up, the mayor and the owner of the skydiving company both gave speeches, they gave him a tour of the facility, and you guessed it, we got delayed again. At this point it was just getting comical! Finally after arriving there at 11:30 everyone jumped and we were on the road at 6:00. Our fun little daytrip had turned into about 6 hours of wait time. But hey, I got to see the mayor! :)

Ice skating in Morocco!?!

Yes, it's true! There is a mall in Rabat that has both bowling (see trip to Rabat from a previous post) and ice-skating. Since Heather and I share the same birthday, we decided to have a joint party at the ice-skating rink in Rabat for the occasion. It was SOOO much fun. I was so excited to see the ice and I felt like I was home! Except the rink was a little small, and after hockey practice they didn't Zamboni the ice, but whatever. After skating for about an hour we went to dinner at my favorite restaraunt in Rabat... a place called Chez Paul. Hmmm...I wonder why it's my favorite! Then we all stayed in a hotel. This morning we had a relaxing breakfast then went back the mall for bowling and lunch. I have to say that it was definitely one of the most fun weekends that I have had in a while. If you go to my picture sight you can see pictures of the ice-skating. I would love to write more, but I am exhausted so I'm going to take a nap! Partying is hard work, especially when your 28! :)

My 28th Birthday!

Those of you that know me, know that my birthday is always a pretty big deal! Well, I think that this year you would be proud! I didn't have a countdown or anything! :) It was a beautiful day, which was my present from God! And when I woke up my roommate Kristi had made breakfast for Heather and I. We share the same birthday, which I think is funny! School was just a normal day, but my kids did sing "Happy Birthday" in 5 languages, so I think it's the most multi-lingual birthday I've ever had! :) After school my friend Victoria and I got a ride into town and went to my favorite little cafe to have some hot chocolate...well that turned into a 4 hour dinner with some friends who just stopped by! Then we went back home and one of our friends was having a Wine and Cheese night...Cindy, you'd be so proud! I had 2 1/2 glasses! It was really fun to just relax with the girls and eat cheese and fruit and drink wine and chat! All in all I think it was probably the most mellow birthday I've ever had! This weekend we are going to Rabat for an extended celebration so stay tuned for those pictures. I hope you guys are having a wonderful March just a few weeks until Spring!