3/14/13: Meeting our host teacher, Mifdal, and touring El Jadida (just happens to be Tacoma's Sister City) and a wonderful lunch at his beautiful home. Mifdal had many things planned for us upon our arrival. I didn’t mind the busy schedule. This was a once in a life experience and I wanted to live it to the fullest. Mifdal and I seemed to bond at once (it’s already September and we remain in contact and have an e-mail or Skype exchange every week or so). As you can see from the photos, we went to his gorgeous home in El Jadida, in a new part of the city. Their house far exceeded my expectations as far as type, cost, furnishings and the fact that they had a cook, and a nanny/housekeeper. We met Mifdal’s family: wife Khadija and daughters Selma, Sara and Malak (a cute baby). Then we were treated to a colorful and tasty 5 course lunch, beginning with the famous Moroccan Tea. What an unexpected, wonderful and gracious welcome. After lunch we drove around and toured the city. EL Jadida is a beautiful seaside resort-like town on the Atlantic Ocean. We toured the old Portuguese fortress, the market (medina), the port, the fishing boats, the Roman Cistern and a very nice beach. El Jadida has a very interesting and rich history. After driving to the country several km outside of the city to visit Mifdal’s farm property and the vacation home he is building there, we returned to his house for a delicious fresh fish dinner (the fishing industry is a huge part of the local economy). Then I settled into the IBIS Hotel (a very nice place by the way for $48 a night right on the beach) my new home for the week. This was a very full, but awesome day.