Long delay since my last post... not because of too much excitement, simply too much to do! I had no ride to church on Sunday morning, so I stayed in and spent the rainy morning reading.

That afternoon Kim picked me up to do a little shopping. She is an agent from New York who has been here on and off for about five years - she keeps filling in when other agents come and go. We lovingly call her the mayor of Rabat - she knows everyone and is a great hostess for those of us who are new. The market area here is called the Medina. I was quite anxious to get to the Medina and see all that was available to buy!! It was a rainy day, so we kept it brief - just a quick stop at her favorite jeweler. :-) Two silver bracelets and a pair of earrings - good start! He is custom-making me a pair of earrings, so I will go back this weekend and spend more Dirham!! And hopefully grab some pics.

My beloved Colts played the big AFC championship game on Sunday, so Kim agreed to take me to the Marine house. Although I've never experienced a frat house, I'm pretty sure that's what this place is. Stinky, with a bar, pool table and three big screen TVs. We watched the pitiful first half of the game with about a dozen folks there. Half time for us was at about 9:30, and Kim wasn't really up for a late night, so we left. I tracked the amazing second half on ESPN.com at my hotel. I'm a little worried - when I watch, they do poorly, when I don't they are amazing. Should I watch the super bowl!?!?! Well, if I do, it will be a very late night. The game won't even start here until after 11:30 pm. Yaaawn. That'll make for a rough Monday morning!

The Ambassador here is from Minnesota - I heard a rumor that if the Vikings had made it to the super bowl, he probably would have declared that Monday as a day off for the embassy, cause he would want to see the game too! Oh well, Bret Favre, I still love you and your wranglers! :-)

The Unit Chief from headquarters flew in on Monday - he oversees all of the offices in Africa. Just popping in for a three day visit to see how things are going. So... that meant dinner out with the office. Monday we went to the sweetest little Italian restaurant. Seriously - no camera could have captured the candlelit warmth of this stain-glassed, smoke filled gem. As it turns out, I didn't have my camera anyway! Again, Tuesday night - office dinner. Tuesday's dinner was the best! We visited Pauls - a french restaurant. Great food, wine, pastries. Spectacular!

Last night we all headed straight from the office to the Legat's home. His wife had prepared a traditional Moroccan dish. And for the life of me, I cannot remember what it was called!! oops. Anyway - bone-in chicken cooked all day with special spices and olives, potatoes, zucchini, carrots, etc. Mark had to go out of town, so Faith came over with her three boys, and Dave and his wife, Kelly, have two blond-haired beauties. It was a fun, chaotic evening. The Legat's family has an awesome dog named Lola - german shepard / golden retriever mix. Of course, playing with her made me miss my Lucky dog. :-( I can tell, though from seeing him via skype - he's not so much missing me! Mom and dad's huge yard, and his playmate Kayla - he's livin' large!

My weekend plans are up in the air... I've been told there is not much more to see in Rabat itself. Kim has offered to take me to Marrakesh - I hear its a must-see part of Morocco. But that involves a two-day outing, because it's a nearly four hour drive each way and for safety reasons, you're not supposed to be on the road in outlying areas after dark. I know that she is only offering to be nice, and it's hard to take her up on the offer if I know she would rather not go. We shall see...