What I've learned since moving to D.C. (some of which should be obvious): 0245

12201.  Most people in Morocco don’t have bank accounts.  They (just) don’t trust banks.  They’ll (usually) borrow money from family (members) and friends without having to pay interest.  The charging of interest is forbidden by Sharia law;

12202.  Most Moroccans are Muslim.  And because of last prayer, Moroccans can eat dinner very late.  Sometimes at 10 o’clock to 11 o’clock at night depending on the time of year;

12203.  Dacia is the cheapest and most popular automobile/car in Morocco.  There’s a Dacia (manufacturing) plant in Casablanca;

12204.  Apparently, in Morocco, only people in the cities pay taxes.  The people in the countryside don’t pay taxes.  The people in the countryside (usually) don’t have bank accounts so it’s hard to determine someone’s income there;

12205.  Apparently, the round stickers on automobiles/cars with the number, 90, in them mean the person in the car is a new driver and that that is the maximum speed (in km/h) s/he is allowed to drive.  The person has the sticker for 6 months;

12206.  In Morocco, arranged marriages are more of a suggestion than a command/demand.  The potential husband or bride can say “no;”

12207.  In Morocco, the mothers/moms arrange the marriages/make the wedding suggestions (i.e., “Mother Tinder”). . . . After the wedding, they’ll be spending more time with their daughters-in-law than their sons will;

12208.  The mothers/moms get to know the girls at the hammam (i.e., public bath) and can pick girls they think will be a good match for their sons.  The mothers/moms also get to see the girls’ bodies when they bath( at the hammam);

12209.  In Morocco, boys are not friends with girls and vice versa.  They do not talk, play or interact with each/one other outside of school.  The boys are friends with boys and the girls are friends with girls;

12210.  In Morocco, it is common for boys to hold hands with boys and for girls to hold hands with girls, but boys do not hold hands with girls;

12211.  In Morocco, you can marry your first cousin;

12212.  In Morocco, it is easier to get a divorce before you have children;

12213.  In Morocco, the town of Moulay Idriss Zerhoun is considered a holy place.  It’s the site of the tomb of Idris I;

12214.  Idris I was the first ruler of the Idrisid dynasty;

12215.  Idris I was a descendant of (the Islamic prophet,) Muhammad;

12216.  Volubilis was the most western city in Africa of the Roman Empire;

12217.  Apparently, a population of 20,000 people qualifies as a municipality in the Roman Empire;

12218.  In Morocco, there are usually 3 coffee shops next to each other;

12219.  In Morocco, 80-90% of coffee shop patrons are men;

12220.  In Morocco, men go to coffee shops, women (and children) go to parks;

12221.  In the past, the jobless (men) in Morocco would go to coffee shops and sit there all day;

12222.  Moroccan chicken pie (i.e., chicken pastilla) is like a slightly sweet, curry chicken in puff pastry. . . . It reminds me of a curry chicken empanada or a curry chicken pasty, but (made) with puff pastry;

12223.  The biggest and most famous Moroccan Royal Palace is in Fes;

12224.  The Royal Palace of Fes encompasses over 83 hectares;

12225.  There are 7 gates entering into the Royal Palace of Fes;

12226.  There is a 9-hole golf course within the walls of the Royal Palace of Meknes;

12227.  (Pitted) dates (stuffed) with walnuts are delicious. . . Who knew?

12228.  Apparently, you can make bread out of couscous;

12229.  The medina in Fes is the oldest medina in the world;

12230.  The University of al-Qarawiyyin in Fes is the oldest, continuously functioning university in the world.  It was founded in 857;

12231.  There are over 300 mosques in Fes;

12232.  Fes is considered the spiritual and cultural capital of Morocco;

12233.  Green is the color of Islam;

12234.  The world’s oldest, operating tannery (i.e., Chouara Tannery) is in Fes;

12235.  Mint is a natural air freshener;

12236.  There is camel (skin) and goatskin leather besides cowhide leather;

12237.  Apparently, real leather will not burn when (you) put (it) to a lighter;

12238.  Goatskin leather is very lightweight, camel (skin) is heavier and cowhide is the heaviest;

12239.  Apparently, (real) leather made with all natural materials will not smoke when (you) put (it) to a lighter;

12240.  You can make fabric from cactus fibers (i.e., agave silk). . . . Who knew?

12241.  Historically, every neighborhood in a medina has a mosque, a hammam, a public oven and a public (water) fountain. . . . Nowadays, they also have a public school and the public fountain has been replaced with piped water;

12242.  A wood(en) arch indicates you’re entering a different/new neighborhood (with a different family) in the medina(s);

12243.  Apparently, some houses in the medinas have donkey garages/stables;

12244.  In Morocco, it costs between $300.00 USD to $400.00 USD for a donkey;

12245.  In Morocco, the trash is taken out by donkey in the medinas;

12246.  In Morocco, the Mid(dle) Atlas (Mountains) is/are known for growing apples and cherries;

12247.  Moroccans don't eat pig/pork, but Morocco has a lot of wild boars/pigs;

12248.  Moroccan farmers wait for the first rain before picking olives;

12249.  If it rains for 2 days, Moroccan farmers will wait 2 days before picking olives.  Apparently, the (olive) oil will go back to the fruit from the tree limbs after 2 days;

12250.  You can ski in Morocco;