Cooking Class and Secret Garden

Anytime I try something new, there is a little bit of fear wondering what I'm getting myself into. Even though we had a cooking class in Rabat (that I enjoyed tremendously), I was still worried since we'd be taking this one with people that we didn't know. Of course, it turned into a lovely experience. :)

One of the cool things of doing a second class is that I had learned some things (maybe not what I was supposed to learn lol) from the first. For example, in the first class, I appreciated how generous the chef was when she came to help us add in the seasonings. She tossed them all in! I think it is why our tangine had turned out so great. So, this time, when we were told to use heaping spoonfuls of specific seasonings, I heap those spoons as high as I could get them! And, once again, the flavors were Amazing!!!! My classmates seemed to be more hesitant about adding the spices so I think it was a real advantage having had that other experience. We also actually put these tangines on coal burning fires and had to use bellows until the dish was boiling. (Yikes, trusting me with actual fire!!!! Trying to walk by the wall of coal burning fires with tangines caused flashes of me in a cartoon where I would have proceeded to knock down each and every one of them trying to get on the other side...fortunately, that did not happen! Phew!!!) One of the helpful hints for us cooking chicken was that we needed to cut an "x" in the breast so that it wouldn't get dried out. I'm planning on figuring out how this hint will help me in my regular chicken dishes at home.

I was concerned that we had a late afternoon session at a private school and wondered how tired I'd be but once we got to the school, the students were such a delight that it was hard to leave!!! I was impressed with how the older students were the ones actually running the clubs and meetings. Such talented teens! My partner teacher and I answered questions that the students had a college in the US and ideas to help them go to school in the US. I was fortunate that my partner teacher had contact with a college/career counselor who gave some great information to be shared with them. I hope we get to benefit from some of these students coming to the US for their university time.

We ended the day back at the old medina. My feet/legs/back were in pain from the walking afterwards but it was a treat to see the Secret Garden. I really liked how you could either sit and relax, taking in the beauty or spend time looking around the whole area. There was even a cute cafe inside. It's hard to find so it's best to go with someone who knows where to find it (or be able to ask for directions prior to every possible turn.) On the way back to the car, I was able to make a couple of larger purchases (lantern and chest) that my host teacher gave me the nod of approval for the cost. They should be being shipped home for me.

Tidbits for future TGCers - If your host teacher knows what you are looking for in terms of souvenirs, they are great resources in helping with negotiations. Mine in particular was fascinating to watch negotiate. It seemed like arguing (since I couldn't understand what was being said) but at the end it also appeared they had become best friends and would be exchanging phone numbers. It is probably why my host teacher knew so many people around town. I really liked how the connections were made with so many people in a variety of situations.

Accessibility - Since I was in a lot of pain from walking so far, I explained how I wouldn't be able to do much the next day at the beach. I tried to be as honest as possible about how I'd rather just do some shopping and then find a nice cafe to just sit and people watch and that I would be extremely happy with that plan while the rest of the group did whatever they wanted (as long as they picked me up and didn't leave me there. Lol.) I was super grateful that my host teacher seemed to really understand that need and ensured that she would help me with that goal on the beach day. Also - due to the amount of walking (like, really really really long walks) over the past two weeks, the small bottle of Ibuprofen I had brought with me didn't last long. So, if you need over-the-counter medicine for pain, be sure to plan to bring enough for the whole trip.