the never-ending story part two

okay, i was over-ambitious again. the new plan is to recount the second half of my trip in bullet form because i don't think i have the energy to write out a lengthy account (you'll understand if you keep reading). also, i'm sure that none of you (except for maybe teesa :-P) would actually sit and read through my overly descriptive descriptions. so, here it is quick and fast:

Day 4 (the day Rohini got sick in the stomach)

-top bunk + diarrhea = no fucking good
-long bus ride to marrakech through the high atlas mountains
-weather along the way: sunny but cold, rainy and cold, then SNOW
-stopped for a pizza lunch in the middle of the mountains
-fed some stray dogs with our bus driver, hassan
-downed a vegetable pizza with hot sauce, a decision i would later regret
-winded down curvy mountain roads without throwing up (Colorado has cured me of any potential car sickness issues)
-arrived in marrakech
-checked into a smelly hotel with clean bathrooms (i know, paradox)
-wandered through jemaa al fna (the main square in marrakech) and bought a yogurt shake
-stayed in bed instead of risking dinner (which was supposedly the best dinner of the trip)
-vegetable pizza out

Day 5 (the day Rohini took the guided bus tour)

-didn't set alarm
-woke around 11, the latest i had woken up in a very long time
-fun bathroom time
-long shower
-put on clothes and pulled myself together for a little
-wandered towards la koutobia, the tall minaret that stands out everywhere in Marrakech
-crossed the street without being hit by bus, motorcycle or horse-drawn carriage
-bumped into some friends and wandered through the market with them
-tried to bargain for scarves but had neither the energy nor the money
-took a stab at lunch
-found my fellow sick friend and convinced him to accompany me on the guided bus tour of marrakech
-paid 130 dirhams for a red pair of headphones and a matching double decker bus
-saw the sites of marrakech from afar at first and then close up with the zoom of my camera
-got off at the bahia palace, which was an overrated, glorified residential home
-walked through the markets with more energy and bought two scarves
-felt good enough to shower, dress in my nicest clothes and sit down to dinner
-resolved to go to club pacha (supposedly the biggest club in north africa?) with the rest of my group
-stomach had different plans
-in bed early and passed out before the group left for the club

Day 6 (the day Rohini fell in love with Essaouira)

-long bus ride in the morning
-stomach on the mend
-arrived in Essaouira and checked into a cute little hotel near the sea
-ate a bit of bread in a seafood restaurant with a great view
-bought the best two scoops of gelato i have ever tasted in my life (coffee and caramel)
-strolled along the beach
-pretended to read my book while actually staring down some men playing soccer on the beach
-got sand in my eyes
-wandered into an expo and spent way too much money
-took a stab at dinner (steamed potatoes which i covered in hot sauce)
-went back to gelato store for round two (vanilla and yogurt...the yogurt was like an less healthy pinkberry)
-went back to the expo and spent even more money
-showered with a shitty showerhead and no shower curtain
-passed out on my bed with thoughts of essaouira as my future honeymoon location

Day 7 (the day Rohini gave a tour of El Jadida)

-quiet bus ride back to Rabat only ten of us decided to come, the rest stayed the weekend in essaouiara
-stopped in el jadida for a picnic lunch on the beach
-gave the essential in-depth tour of the little town including the cistern, the ramparts and the yummy ice cream shop
-felt pretty ill on the second half of the bus ride (stomach pains i didn't know i could feel)
-arrived at home ready for my host mother's healing and sleep