2023 Fordham Preparatory Morocco Cultural Journey

6/18/23

We got an early start today and left Fes around 9am. We stopped for local BBQ right before Rabat. The drive was easy and leaving early allowed us to arrive

As-salamu alaykum, Dar Beida! We arrived in Casablanca today around 2:30pm. We said farewell to Christian as he had to take an earlier flight home. We will miss him! Trek Salama, khoya! (Safe travels, brother!)

The boys had a blast swimming in the pool. Some of them even worked out a little bit in the gym! We took 3 hours to regroup and then decided to check out Morocco Mall! All the boys were given freedom and allowance to shop and eat dinner. Everyone was ready to relax when we got back to the hotel. Gaspare and Saîd played a game of foosball but everyone else turned in for an early night so we could all enjoy our last day tomorrow to the fullest!

6/17/23

Our morning began by touring the Medina of Fes! We learned about the oldest Quranic school and the stunning architecture that’s I held the test of time. It’s walls are decorated with hand painted tiles beautifully set next to carved marble and wood. The artisanal work that was put into this school is truly something to behold.

Our next stop was the tanneries which are packed with round stone vessels filled with dye or white liquids for softening the hides. On hot days, like today, we had to hold fresh mint up to our noses to avoid the stench that occurs during the hide cleaning and drying. The leather goods that are produced in these tanneries are exported around the world! Everyone bargained for something special that caught their eye.

By 1 o’clock it was hard to escape the suns bad heat. We ate lunch on a rooftop terrace and rehydrated! Afterwards we came back to the Riad for everyone to drop off their bags and cool off in the pool.

All the boys wanted a “fokia” which is traditional menswear worn in Morocco. To avoid the crowds, Saîd placed a special order and everyone was able to get what they wanted delivered to them after a long day! 

Boys recap:

“Today we got up and had a wonderful breakfast in the lobby of our riad, enjoying traditional Moroccan dishes such as lmesamane, a layered cooked dough which I adored. After getting ready, we then departed into town to tour the medina, the ancient, densely packed part of the city. I am a huge fan of architecture so much of my time was spent gawking at the intricate carvings and mosaics surrounding doorways or mosques. We also visited a tannery and got to witness the (quite smelly!) process of making leather. Later on, we had lunch, toured a spice shop, and ended our day’s tour with a stop by the magnificent royal place. After a few hours relaxing in the riad’s absolutely heavenly courtyard, we left again for dinner, indulging in pizza, lamb, or, in my case, camel burgers! Needless to say mine was delicious. Our last full day in Fes was full of wonderful new experiences that we’ll all surely remember.” -Christian

“We started the day by walking through the old Medina. Our first stop was the Madrassa School. I found the Madrassa School to be very unique and the Arabic calligraphy on the walls was very different from a typical school design. I found the open ceilings to be unique as well. As we continued through the Medina we went to the  Leather Store where we saw how the leather was cleaned, dyed, and then turned into pieces to be sold. I thought the way in which the leather was dyed was very interesting and the smell was not what I expected. The quality of the leather was particularly good. After we left the leather store we went to a bread maker and saw how families that live in Fes get their bread made. We got to try to bread and it was very good. I thought it was fascinating as to how the bread was made and given back to the families that sent it there. Overall I think we did a lot of interesting things today and learned a lot about the culture in Fes.” -Carter R.

6/16/23

We said beslama to Chefchouen and started our drive to Fes! “Along the way we made a quick pit stop where some of us got ice cream which was delicious and got a drink along with it.” -Aiden.

This was our longest bus ride, so Mr. Pettus played a fun guessing game with everyone. Everyone had to write down their:

-favorite Disney/Pixar movie

-favorite hobby

-an interesting fact about themselves

-an animal that they best associate themselves with

We took turns guessing which answers were written by the group organizers and students. It was such a fun pastime. It made the drive go by quickly! Everyone got to know more about each other. 

“We learned a lot about Mr. Pettus that we didn’t know about before such as that he loves taking care of kids.” -Aiden

We arrived to 100 degree weather in Fes! Not to fear though, our “Riad” was fully equipped with a pool! A Riad is a traditional Moroccan house with an indoor garden and courtyard. They are located within the old city “Medina” walls. Our Riad is fully enclosed inside, insulated with high-strength, neutral walls and with minimal vents to keep out heat and street noise. Riads are also known for their open-ceiling structure. The indoor courtyards of our Riad is decorated with colored traditional mosaics called “Zellij” and emphasized with marble fountains in the center with plants, trees and flowers all around. Our Riad also has a rooftop terrace with panoramic views of the Medina and surrounding foothills! Everyone was very excited to be staying at a Riad.

Everyone was feeling pretty exhausted after our bus ride so the group split up and half of the boys got into the pool and the other half went out to explore the old Medina and bargain for a couple souvenirs! 

Tomorrow everyone is excited to walk through the small streets and experience all the exotic aromas of spices and see all the artisanal nooks that Fed has to offer!

6/15/23

Today was a day for the books! This morning the kids were divided into 5 groups and were given a scavenger hunt list to complete. They had to find their way through the old medina taking pictures and videos of different things. 

“I liked communicating with the locals during the scavenger hunt. Although there was somewhat of a language barrier, we were able to ask where things were. Most of the people were very nice and understanding, including one kid who took us all the way across town to find a spot. We exchanged instagrams after. Being in the city on our own was very cool, as we were able to explore the city’s streets and meet unique people.” -Thomas

“I really enjoyed the local interactions we had with people during the scavenger hunt. It was interesting how kind and helpful people were when it came to answering our questions. The scavenger hunt also was great because it forced us to work together with our team. Not only did it allow us to work with our team, it also allowed us to dive deep into the culture of the community.” -Matt Cip.

Congratulations to the winners: Moussa, Jake, Alex, Jayden and Thomas! Your prizes (Moroccan t-shirts) were well earned! 

Everyone spent the rest of the morning bargaining for local artisanal products and gifts. 

After lunch we were originally going to hike on the outskirts of Chefchouen’s city limits; but.. CHANGE OF PLANS! We decided to scratch that plan and drive an hour northeast to Akchour. The kids spent the entire afternoon swimming in waterholes and jumping off rocks into clear mountain water. The water was quite cold, but the sun and mint tea were hot! It was the perfect combination.

“The river today was arguably my favorite part of the trip. The views were stunning. The clear river with miniature waterfalls combined with the massive mountains and rocks, it just set up an Amazing view. This activity was also a world of fun. Whether it was just hanging out in the cool refreshing water, jumping from the ledge, or exploring different areas of the river, all of it was entertaining.” -Matt Cip.

“The swimming hole is arguably my favorite part of the trip so far. Today felt like the hottest day—so when I jumped into the ice cold water is was very refreshing. It was a very chill moment to just sit in the chairs and watch the river water trickle past your feet. I laughed with others, enjoyed a peach, and got to cool off with a mountain backdrop. The views of the mountains were spectacular and the people there made it even better.” -Thomas

6/14/23

Today’s the day we leave the hustle and bustle of Tangier and head into the Rif mountains! When we left our hotel everyone thought we were heading directly to Chefchouen, however Saîd surprised the group with camel rides! What’s a Moroccan adventure without camels? Now, everyone can officially check that off their bucket list!

After arriving to Chefchouen, we learned about the “berbers” (indigenous people) that inhabit this region. We also walked up and down cobble stones streets that were so many different shades of blue!

Now the big question, why is Chefchaouen city blue?! Some say that it has been blue since the 15th century. Others say that painting buildings blue was a Jewish tradition as blue reminded people of the sky and ultimately God. Other theories are that blue keeps mosquitos away, it represents the ocean and blue paint helps to keep the buildings cooler in the searing heat. Regardless, it’s downright pretty and it’s lovely that it’s kept its tradition. Every part of the city is like something out of a postcard!

6/13/23

Good morning Tangier! Our day tour started at Parc Perdicaris, up in the stunning cliffs that overlook the Mediterranean Sea. The park reserve got its name from the American diplomat, Ion Perdicaris, who owned the property and built his house in the forest hillside in 1887. The park had “breathtaking views and different tree species bought in from all over Morocco. We learned of the works connection to America and how it was founded. Following the park, we drove through the “Beverly Hills” on Tangier, seeing where the top 1% of Moroccans live referred to as California. All of these house were situated on top of hills with sprawling views of the ocean.” -Toban

We also visited Cap Spartal, which is the oldest lighthouse in Morocco and the second oldest lighthouse in Africa. It was built in 1865 where the Mediterranean meets the Atlantic.

Afterwards, we got a lesson in Greek methodology at the Caves of Hercules! Raffi “explained the story behind the Hercules cave and how the fight between Hercules and the Atlas Giant caused the continents of Europe and Africa to separate. Inside the cave, we took pictures and saw natures work, as well as parts carved out for the purpose of retrieving Moroccan precious oils.” -Toban. The cave is also known for an opening that’s shaped like Africa! 

The kids ate at a local roadside bbq where they got to try “kefta” and “Tafrnout” for the first time! Kefta is minced meat mixed with onions, parsley and spices that are made into small patties and barbecued on the grill. Tafrnout is a berber bread prepared in a natural oven made out of dirt, hay, rocks and water. The meal was a hit!

Our next stop: Assilah! We toured the tiny seaside Medina and then hit the local beaches next to the port! The Atlantic was a little colder than they anticipated, but the boys still swam. The boys also played soccer with the local boys and made new friends. “We got to connect with some of the locals through the Arabic-speaking Christian Stiker. Some conversations turned into a full on soccer aame with the locals who we tied 1-1!” -Toban

Tomorrow we leave for Chefchouen! Yalla!

6/12/23

4:30am wakeup call! We hugged Hilary goodbye and left Seville at 5am for Tarifa. Today we will cross the Strait of Gibraltar to Morocco. This route is known as the gateway to Africa!

We arrived at day break and had our last hot drink and toastada in Spain. At 11am we embarked on the FRS ferry and started our Moroccan journey! Adios, Tarifa.. As-Salaam-Alaikum, Tangier!

We reached the port and were greeted by Said (program leader), Rachid (our bus driver) and Charaf AKA Raffi (our tour guide)! All the boys got fresh juice or glass bottled soda for a little pick-me-up before we had lunch and a guided tour of the old medina.

Our lunch was accompanied by traditional Moroccan music. Every table got to taste couscous and tagine. A “tagine” is a typical Moroccan dish where chicken, meat or fish is slow cooked in a sauce over an open flame in an earthenware (clay) pot. “The food was amazing.” –Luke. After everyone finished eating Christian, Matthew Cip. and Jack joined in with the band! They took turns playing their instruments!

Tangier’s medina is built up on the cliffs that overlook the port with picturesque views of the ocean. Throughout history it was a destination for many European and American diplomats, spies, writers and businessmen. Raffi told us all about Tangier’s rich history and spoke about Islam as well!

Dinner was at a local favorite snack that’s known for its fried fish and meat skewers. “I got swordfish tagine and it was so good. I also shared my food with Thomas who ordered the chicken tagine. It was a great combination of food!” –Luke.

6/11/23

After a much needed full sleep we had breakfast at the hotel. After a great breakfast we went off for church. The mass was given in Spanish, however, the group was able to understand the powerful energy of the 3rd biggest cathedral in Europe. 

After church we had free time to explore the city of Seville. In our exploration, our group went on a mission to get Carter Michael Schlumberger a haircut! Unfortunately, google maps lied to us and the barber shop we wanted to go to was not open. With this being said, it’s more about the journey than the destination! After a long journey, we came back for a much needed lunch break.

Afterwards, we went out to shop for souvenirs and explore more of the city. We ended the day with a tour of an olive garden.” -Jayden Carvajal & Cameron Harris

The olive oil factory was situated in the mountains outside of Seville in a national park called Sierra de Grazalema. As we arrived, we were immediately greeted by the owner and his dog named Yuko!

Luis (the factory owner) explained the process that they use to curate quality olive oil. He spoke about how aware and cautious his company is about their carbon footprint! They use dehydrated compost to power their machines, which cold presses olive oil. They choose to cold press their olive at around 27 degrees Celsius in order to protect the aromas and flavors that people prefer in their olive oil! The factory was clean and painted a clear picture of the olive oil process from start to finish. 

Last, but not least, we wrapped up our last night in Spain with a lively flamenco show and dinner. What an experience!

Tomorrow we will take a bus to Tarifa where we will embark onto a ferry that will take us to Morocco! Yalla!

6/10/23

After a long transatlantic flight and a delayed layover, Fordham Prep finally made it to Spain! Everyone was a bit jet lagged, but very excited to arrive at their first destination! Bienvenidos! 

After we safely collected all the passports (because, high school boys!) and dropped off the suitcases at our hostel, we had breakfast down a little cobble stoned street that had beautiful views of the Catedral de Sevilla’s minaret. Breakfast was followed by a guided tour of the Catedral de Sevilla. We learned that this breathtaking Cathedral is the largest catholic cathedral in the world. It’s also a World Heritage site due to the fact that it houses some of Christopher Columbus’s remains! It’s filled with historical artifacts and almost every altar was decorated in gold leaf.

“The Church was decorated with hundreds of intricate pieces of artwork, including brass and golden structures. The most notable piece of art we encountered was a depiction of Jesus’ life laid in golden framing and statues. It was breathtaking. Another great artwork was a group of four massive statues each with their own faces and details.” -Matthew Castañeda

We also walked up 35 floors to the top of  the Giralda tower where they ring the church bells for the entire city to hear. Magnífico!  Lunch was filled with many different types of tapas: tortilla, ensaladilla, croquetas, choco and last but not least helado de chocolate (chocolate ice cream)! Two boys had a quick nap at lunch (haha!) but quickly recovered once desert was brought out to the tables! 

Dinner was a more hands on experience! Hilary took us to a cooking class this evening where the boys were taught how to prepare paella and gazpacho! The combination of spices made the paella smell and taste like a home cooked meal that everyone needed after a long day. “Everybody contributed to the dish; some of us cut and diced, others grated tomatoes into a paste or prepared ingredients for blending. We all took turns stirring and making sure the paella was being simmered properly. The smell and experience matched the flavor of the food! We were actually able to make a fairly good paella dish, some of us even going back for seconds.” -Matthew Castañeda

It was so good that everyone asked for seconds!

We walked home along the riverside (Guadalquivir) and watched the boats drive by. By the time we got back to our hostel, the sun had started to set and the boys were exhausted.

Today was packed full of new experiences and allowed us to kick off our program in the best way! We are so thankful to Hilary for guiding us around! We can’t wait for our second day out in Seville!