beginning of Semana Santa

Today was the first night of Semana, Santa.  There were crowds of people waiting to view the procession tonight at the Mezquita.  A figure of Christ and the Virgen Mary passed on what are called "pasos"-platforms holding the statue and candels- followed by people covered in black clothing.  The procession took about 10 minutes to pass you, someone was chanting, and other than that it was silent and solemn.  It was interesting but not something that I would be excited to see all week in Cordoba, which will happen all of next week in the major cities in Andalucia.

I feel like time is passing by so fast...finally! It's Easter break, Semana Santa over here but have so much to do.  I'm excited and stressed at the same time.  Tomorrow I leave for 5 days in Morocco, where I'll be visiting Rabat and Fez and traveling through the Sahara desert on camels.  Tomorrow morning I have to buy my bus ticket and other things for the trip.  Right now I'm trying figure out what to bring, classes in Berkeley for Telebears, what to do after the Morocco trip if I should travel more, other trips, summer, etcetera...so until next time when I have pics to share!

Here's the sample itinerary for Morocco:

 Morocco & Sahara Desert, March 31st – April 4th 2012

Itinerary: Remember Morocco is 2 hours behind Spain and all times are listed in local time. 
The following itinerary is only an approximation and may be subject to change.  

Day 1 - Saturday, March 31st 
04:30 AM - Meet at the Consulado de Portugal near the bus stop in front of the Jardines del Prado de San Sebastián (close to the Universidade de Sevilla)05:00 AM - Bus departs from Sevilla to Tarifa
09:00 AM - Ferry leaves from Tarifa to Tangiers
08:15 AM *Change to Moroccan time: 2 hours behind Spain* - Arrive in Tangiers

08:30 AM - Exchange Euros for Dirham and use the ATM’s (we recommend from 40€ to 100€)
09:00 AM - Depart Tangiers for Rabat
1:00 PM - Arrive in Rabat & have Lunch, Rabat tour after lunch
4:00 PM - Depart for Fez
8:00 PM - Arrive in Fez, check in and dinner at the Hotel

Day 2 - Sunday, April 1st 
07:00 AM - Breakfast at hotel in Fez

08:00 AM - Check out and depart for Merzouga

12:30 PM - Stop for lunch at desert Kasbah in Midelt

6:00 PM - Arrive at Xaluca, cross the rocky desert in 4x4 Jeeps

7:30 PM - Camel excursion through the sand dunes to our Desert Oasis
8:30 PM - Dinner at Desert Oasis

10:00 PM - Party in the Sahara Desert!!

Day 3 - Monday, April 2nd 
05:30 AM - Wake up for the Desert Sunrise (Optional)

07:00 AM - Tea at Oasis before Departing on Camels to Hotel
9:30 AM - Breakfast at Desert Hotel + check in

11:00 AM - Optional Walking Tour of a town in the Desert
1:00 PM - Lunch at Desert Hotel & Free Time in the Dunes
5:45 PM - Desert Sunset
8:30 PM - Dinner at Desert Hotel

Day 4 - Tuesday, April 3rd 
08:00 AM to 09:00 AM - Breakfast at Desert Hotel & Check Out
09:00 AM - Depart in 4x4 jeeps to the Xaluca Hotel
2:30 PM - Lunch in Midelt
7:00 PM - Arrive in Fez, Check In to Rooms
8:30 PM - Dinner at the Hotel in Fez
10:00 PM - Farewell Party  in the Hotel Lounge Bar
 
Day 5 - Wednesday, April 4th  
07:00 AM to 08:00 AM - Breakfast at hotel & Check Out
08:30 AM - Leave Hotel for Fez/Medina tour
09:00 AM - Fez/Medina tour begins
12:00 PM - Lunch in Fez
2:00 PM - Leave Fez for Tangiers

9:00 PM - Ferry leaves Tangiers for Tarifa
12:00 AM *Now back in Spanish time: 2 hours ahead of Morocco* - Arrive in Tarifa, Spain

2:30 AM/3:00 AM - Arrival in Sevilla (depending on ferry schedule and traffic)