Would you settle for "Photos From Florence"? Well, you'll just have to anyway, because seeing the City of Lights ain't in the budget! But, I can, and am, jetting off to Italy tomorrow morning! WOOHOO! Multiple cities with world-famous attractions are on the agenda. Hence, next week there will be no posting, but in two weeks I promise there will be a multimedia extravaganza! Ok, I'll have some pics from my dinky camera...
Anyway, this week's title references a tune from The Band Perry about ditching a sweetheart for lust at first sight. I've been going steady with Barcelona for quite a while, but if I can't resist Rome's charms?
Did some traveling last week, also. Went with about a dozen colleagues a few hours drive away to a beautiful little town in the Middle Atlas Mountains called Ifrane, which is Berber for caves. Modern Ifrane was developed by the French protectorate and resembles an Alpine village; today it is a popular spot for outdoors and winter activities. Again, it is gorgeous.
There is a school in Ifrane called Al Akhawan University, Arabic for The Two Brothers University. That is a reference to former kings Fahd of Saudi Arabia and Hassan II of Morocco. In 1995 there was a huge oil spill by a Saudi tanker off of the coast of Morocco, and the Saudi leader pledged $50 million for the cleanup. A fortuitous wind blew away the oil, rendering the aid offer moot. The money was used instead to found an American-style liberal arts university where the language of instruction is English. There is tolerance for all faiths and many international programs. The campus is lovely. Many of the buildings resemble Swiss chalets.
We went to the university to see an Advent and Christmas program at the campus chapel. Groups came from Christian churches in Rabat, Meknes, Fes, Tangier and Casa to read lessons and sing carols in multiple languages and perform interpretive dance routines. Lots of very talented young people.
Speaking of talented people, I played Santa Claus yesterday. Unfortunately, I didn't need to put a pillow in the uniform :( You can stop laughing now. Really, you can. I gave out gifts to several K/pre-K classes. Then, I went to the Upper School assembly and helped lead caroling. Yes, I sang on microphone in public. I'm just full of surprises anymore, huh? Thank God my vice principal really led the way. I then posed for pics with my fans. Seriously. I was in demand, baby!
Joyeux Noel!
Anyway, this week's title references a tune from The Band Perry about ditching a sweetheart for lust at first sight. I've been going steady with Barcelona for quite a while, but if I can't resist Rome's charms?
Did some traveling last week, also. Went with about a dozen colleagues a few hours drive away to a beautiful little town in the Middle Atlas Mountains called Ifrane, which is Berber for caves. Modern Ifrane was developed by the French protectorate and resembles an Alpine village; today it is a popular spot for outdoors and winter activities. Again, it is gorgeous.
There is a school in Ifrane called Al Akhawan University, Arabic for The Two Brothers University. That is a reference to former kings Fahd of Saudi Arabia and Hassan II of Morocco. In 1995 there was a huge oil spill by a Saudi tanker off of the coast of Morocco, and the Saudi leader pledged $50 million for the cleanup. A fortuitous wind blew away the oil, rendering the aid offer moot. The money was used instead to found an American-style liberal arts university where the language of instruction is English. There is tolerance for all faiths and many international programs. The campus is lovely. Many of the buildings resemble Swiss chalets.
We went to the university to see an Advent and Christmas program at the campus chapel. Groups came from Christian churches in Rabat, Meknes, Fes, Tangier and Casa to read lessons and sing carols in multiple languages and perform interpretive dance routines. Lots of very talented young people.
Speaking of talented people, I played Santa Claus yesterday. Unfortunately, I didn't need to put a pillow in the uniform :( You can stop laughing now. Really, you can. I gave out gifts to several K/pre-K classes. Then, I went to the Upper School assembly and helped lead caroling. Yes, I sang on microphone in public. I'm just full of surprises anymore, huh? Thank God my vice principal really led the way. I then posed for pics with my fans. Seriously. I was in demand, baby!
Joyeux Noel!
No comments:
Post a Comment