What I've learned since moving to D.C. (some of which should be obvious): 0247

12301.  Camel owners will (sometimes) tie their camels’ front feet together so they can’t walk as fast and run away;

12302.  Apparently, some camels will keep walking and won’t come back;

12303.  In Morocco, it costs around 30,000 dirhams (i.e., $8,150.00 USD) for a camel;

12304.  Apparently, camel is a popular meat in southern Morocco;

12305.  The smell of rose water reminds me of an aya(huasca) ceremony;

12306.  Moroccans keep horses for fun and for racing;

12307.  Moroccans don’t eat donkeys.  Islam forbids the eating of (domesticated) donkeys;

12308.  Moroccans don’t eat horses;

12309.  Moroccans don’t eat mules;

12310.  Berber carpet/rugs come from the Amazigh/Berber people of Morocco;

12311.  Moroccans will sell goods, snacks and coffee/tea out of the trunks of their hatchbacks;

12312.  Morocco was the first country to recognize the United States in 1777;

12313.  Apparently, the (feral/wild) cats in Ouarzazate like fried chicken gristle;

12314.  The name of the hotel at Atlas Studios in Ouarzazate, Morocco, is the “Oscar Hotel;”

12315.  Apparently, you can make drawings/paintings with sugar water, tea and cardamom water( . . . and a flame);

12316.  The beef with prunes and almonds tagine at the Amal Center’s restaurant (AmalNonprofit.org/solutions/the-restaurant) in Marrakech is (really) tasty;

12317.  The chicken tagine at the Amal Center’s restaurant in Marrakech is (really) tasty.  It maybe the best orange chicken I’ve ever had;

12318.  If I’m ever in Marrakech again, I’d go out of my way to get a meal at the Amal Center’s restaurant;

12319.  There is no fast food outside of the (big) cities in Morocco;

12320.  The tallest building in Marrakech is the minaret tower of the Koutoubia Mosque;

12321.  In Morocco, if a woman has henna on her hands and feet, it means she’s married;

12322.  In Morocco, if a woman has henna only on her hands, it means she’s single;

12323.  Apparently, people use snail mucus/mucin for skincare.  Supposedly, it can hydrate, smooth and promote skin healing with benefits like reducing fine lines/wrinkles and dark spots and helping with acne;

12324.  (I can say) I've put snail mucus/mucin on my face;

12325.  Apparently, real saffron is always red.  It smells earthy and bitter.  When water is added to saffron, it turns yellow.  Saffron can last 10 years in a glass jar at room temperature;

12326.  Supposedly, saffron is good for arthritis, tinnitus and high blood pressure.  2-3 times a month, you’re supposed to take a pinch of saffron, let it steep for 15 minutes in boiling hot water and drink it;

12327.  There are not a lot of handrails in Morocco;

12328.  In Morocco, the riads in the countryside and in the small towns/cities don’t have telephones and televisions in their rooms;

12329.  The Mabrouka Rooftop & Sky Bar has a great view of Jemaa el-Fnaa (i.e., the main square) and the cityscape of Marrakech;

12330.  Getting a hand job in Marrakech . . . check . . . a blowjob . . . (double) check . . . sex . . . (triple) check;

12331.  If you (ever) get lost in the streets of the medina (quarter) in Marrakech, just ask the shopkeepers where/which way the big square is;

12332.  I’m (a little) disappointed by ZaaZaa;

12333.  Apparently, the (feral/wild) cats in the Marrakech Menara Airport like cake;

12334.  Failure is a speed bump on the way to success.  If you convert it to learning, there is no failure.  Failure is you thinking it should work every time;

12335.  Apparently, I went to college with Virginia’s first female governor (i.e., Abigail Spanberger then Abigail Anne Davis, majoring in French in the College of Arts & Sciences ’01);

12336.  Gargling with warm, salt water does (actually) help with a scratchy/sore throat;

12337.  You can get a shot of Tullamore D.E.W. and a Union Craft Brewing Zadie’s Lager for $10.00 (all day every day) at O’Shaughnessy’s Sports Bar in (Old Town) Alexandria;

12338.  Jimmy John’s “Picklewich” isn’t worth the hype;

12339.  I can say I’ve been in a suite at the MGM National Harbor;

12340.  I can say I’ve seen Tej Parker (i.e., Ludacris/Christopher Brian Bridges) in concert;

12341.  Ludacris (i.e., Christopher Brian Bridges) says he flies his own (private) jet to his concerts;

12342.  I can say I’ve eaten in (Gordon Ramsay’s) Hell’s Kitchen;

12343.  REI (REI.com) makes a cat tent (i.e., tiny half dome tent);

12344.  There are Highland cows in Earleville, Maryland;

12345.  In (the basement suite of) a lake house (in Earleville, Maryland,) . . . check;

12346.  It’s not hard to make a pot pie, but it is a lot of work;

12347.  “(Monty Python’s )Spamalot” is (pretty) funny.  It’s based on (the movie,) “Monty Python and the Holy Grail;”

12348.  Charlie (Dog) likes green beans;

12349.  The DiGiorno (Detroit-style crust) “Thanksgiving Pizza” (with roasted turkey, green beans, crispy onions, dried cranberries and gravy drizzle) is (pretty) good;

12350.  Apparently, airlines waste a lot of food.  A stewardess told me, airlines throw out all of the (inflight) meals that aren’t eaten/served;

What I've learned since moving to D.C. (some of which should be obvious): 0246

12251.  The ski resort town of Ifrane was built by the French in the 1930s.  It was founded in 1929 and was designed to look like a Swiss village with high-pitched roofs and chalet-style buildings.  Ifrane was conceived as a “hill station” or colonial settlement for French families during the protectorate era.  It’s becoming known as Africa’s “Little Switzerland;”

12252.  Ifrane is also home to Al Akhawayn University;

12253.  Apparently, the monkeys in the Atlas Mountains are the same kind of monkeys in Gibraltar;

12254.  There are turkeys in Morocco;

12255.  There are a lot of feral/wild dogs in the Atlas Mountains;

12256.  In Morocco, religion and politics are separate;

12257.  In Morocco, religion is considered private between you and God;

12258.  In Morocco, the government owns the forests and the tribes have rights to the grasslands;

12259.  There are cedar, oak and juniper trees in the Middle Atlas Mountains;

12260.  In Morocco, it costs between 10,000 to 15,000 dirhams (i.e., $1,000.00 USD to $1,600.00 USD) for a mule;

12261.  In Morocco, “kasbah” means “fortress” or “large house;”

12262.  There are 4 watchtowers in a kasbah; one in each corner;

12263.  “Riad” means “garden;”

12264.  Riads have a central courtyard with a garden and fountain;

12265.  “Dar” means “house;”

12266.  In Morocco, most of the highways are (only) 2 lanes;

12267.  In Morocco, lamb/sheep meat (generally) costs more than goat( meat);

12268.  “Sudan” means “land of the blacks” in Arabic;

12269.  Supposedly, the white camels in Morocco are from Algeria and Mali;

12270.  Supposedly, the white camels in Morocco are faster and cheaper( than the brown and black camels);

12271.  Supposedly, the brown and black camels in Morocco are from Morocco and are stronger and more expensive( than the white camels);

12272.  The Sahara (Desert) is getting bigger every year;

12273.  The Sahara is the 3^rd largest desert in the world;

12274.  The Sahara is the largest hot desert in the world;

12275.  The Sahara covers 9.2 million sq km (i.e., 3.6 million sq mi);

12276.  Apparently, if it gets windy in the Sahara( Desert), you should stay/stick with the locals and the camels;

12277.  There is a ban on desert camps in the Merzouga region of the Sahara( for environmental reasons), resulting in no (desert) camps in the middle of the desert and only camps on the (outer) edges( of the Sahara);

12278.  I can say I’ve ridden a camel in the Sahara( Desert);

12279.  I can I've been glamping in the Sahara( Desert);

12280.  Getting a hand job in the Sahara( Desert), while glamping . . . check . . . a blowjob . . . (double) check . . . sex . . . (triple) check;

12281.  Apparently, it’s very windy in the Sahara (Desert) at night;

12282.  When glamping, you should get the tents closer to the front.  Apparently, the water will be hotter;

12283.  Apparently, camels can carry people at the age of 7;

12284.  In Morocco, camels can live for 25 years;

12285.  Apparently, date (palm) trees begin to bear fruit between 4 and 8 years after planting;

12286.  Date (palm) trees can live for 100 years;

12287.  In Morocco, there’s a popular avocado smoothie called ZaaZaa.  It’s mainly avocado blended with milk and sweetened with dates, honey or sugar.  It’s typically served in layers including sliced fruit (like bananas and kiwi), syrups (such as chocolate, caramel or strawberry), nuts (such as almonds, cashews, pistachios and walnuts), treats (like crushed Oreos or pieces of Kit Kat bars) and whipped cream;

12288.  You can use compressed air to dust yourself off and your scooter/motorcycle;

12289.  In Morocco, children in the countryside typically go to school Monday through Saturday for 4 hours/day either in the mornings or afternoons or a combination thereof.  Children in the cities typically go to school Monday through Friday for 4 hours/day for both the mornings and (the) afternoons;

12290.  In the Sahara region of Morocco, if a woman wears a sari/saree, you can determine/identify her (Amazigh/Berber) tribe by the color of her sari/saree.  Each (Amazigh/Berber) tribe has a different color or colors;

12291.  In the Sahara region of Morocco, a woman’s tattoos describe her family lineage.  So two women with different tattoos means they are from different (Amazigh/Berber) tribes;

12292.  In Morocco, women typically don't cut their hair.  Long hair is considered beautiful;

12293.  In Morocco, a man and a woman cannot live together if they are not married( to each other);

12294.  In Morocco, the husband is usually older than his wife;

12295.  The (Amazigh/Berber) tribes have historically inhabited the rural and mountainous regions of Morocco;

12296.  In Morocco, you marry in the same tribe;

12297  Moroccan Muslims pay a zakat.  It’s a mandatory payment of 2.5% of their income/savings as well as 10% of their crops.  It goes to the poor, needy and other designated charitable causes;

12298.  In Morocco, they have pineapple, mojito (i.e., lime and mint) and orange-flavored Schweppes;

12299.  Morocco has wild sheep and goats;

12300.  Apparently, donkeys will roam around on their own and, at the end of the day, will return to their owners( because they know their owners will feed them);

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;

What I've learned since moving to D.C. (some of which should be obvious): 0244

12151.  3,000 craftsmen worked on the Hassan II Mosque;

12152.  The Hassan II Mosque can accommodate 25,000 worshippers in the main floor/hall and another 80,000 worshippers in the plaza square;

12153.  The men are downstairs in the main floor/hall of the Hassan II Mosque, while the women are upstairs;

12154.  There are more than 8,000 LED lights in the Hassan II Mosque;

12155.  The doors of the Hassan II Mosque are made of titanium;

12156.  The roof of the Hassan II Mosque retracts creating an opening of 3,400 square meters;

12157.  (Walking in) the side corridor of the main hall of the Hassan II Mosque looks like some place in a science fiction movie to me( like the Fremen war council in “Dune: Part Two”);

12158.  Most people in Morocco work in agriculture;

12159.  Most people in Morocco use public transportation because automobiles/cars and gas/petrol are expensive;

12160.  Most families in Morocco don’t have cars;

12161.  In Morocco, sometimes 3-4 generations live in the same household;

12162.  In Morocco, daughters live with their husband’s family;

12163.  In Morocco, sons live in their parents’ house;

12164.  Apparently, a lot of Moroccans go/travel to the beach in June and July when the weather is hot;

12165.  Most Moroccan couples have 4-5 children/kids in the country and 3-4 children/kids in the cities;

12166.  There’s an IKEA in Casablanca;

12167.  Morocco grows a lot of wheat and barley;

12168.  Moroccans eat a lot of bread even more than the French;

12169.  Moroccans eat so much bread that they even import wheat;

12170.  Morocco’s economy is based mainly on tourism, manufacturing (i.e., automobiles and textiles), agriculture and exporting phosphate;

12171.  Morocco has the largest phosphate reserves in the world;

12172.  Morocco produces very little petroleum.  It imports 90% of its energy needs;

12173.  Moroccans eat a meat (and bread) heavy diet.  There are no vegetarians in Morocco;

12174.  Apparently, in Morocco, if you don’t provide a meat dish to your guests, it means you don’t want them to come back. . . . Fish is not considered meat;

12175.  Morocco generates electricity through coal, wind, solar and dams (i.e., hydroelectrical);

12176.  Most families in Morocco make their own olive oil;

12177.  Moroccans can go to University in Morocco for free;

12178.  Africans can also go to University in Morocco for free;

12179.  The capital (city) of Morocco is Rabat.  It was moved from Fes;

12180.  In Morocco, school attendance is compulsory up to the age of 13;

12181.  The Moroccan government makes small cash payments for girls to go to school in rural areas to compensate for them not helping out around the house;

12182.  In Morocco, most families have picnics in the woods instead of going out to eat;

12183.  In Morocco, if you go out to eat at a restaurant, you have to take the whole (extended) family out to eat;

12184.  Apparently, Moroccans in the countryside don’t celebrate (wedding) anniversaries or birthdays.  Moroccans in the countryside may not know the exact day they were born;

12185.  Morocco produces avocados;

12186.  Apparently, Moroccans bring a bottle of olive oil to other people’s houses instead of wine;

12187.  Moroccan coffee is made with a blend of spices, most commonly including cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, nutmeg, cloves and black pepper;

12188.  Apparently, a cappuccino in Morocco has chocolate/cocoa powder in it;

12189.  Moroccans drink thé a la menthe (i.e., green tea with mint) with a lot of sugar;

12190.  Apparently, to a Moroccan, tea without sugar is just hot water;

12191.  In the Moroccan countryside, donkeys and mules are used for work and transportation;

12192.  In the countryside, Moroccans will keep a couple of goats with their sheep flock.  Apparently, the goats will lead the sheep to new places to graze.  Dogs are used to keep the flock together;

12193.  In Morocco, all of the work in the Atlas Mountains is done by hand (and) not (by) machines;

12194.  Morocco reinstated compulsory military service/training for men (aged 19-25) in 2019.  It’s optional/voluntary for women and Moroccans living abroad;

12195.  Moroccans do not drink a lot of beer and wine (because of religious and cultural reasons);

12196.  Morocco exports wine and beer (i.e., Casablanca, Spéciale Flag and Stork);

12197.  The sugar in Morocco comes from (locally grown) beets and sugar cane.  Morocco also imports sugar to meet demand;

12198.  In Morocco, camel milk is popular;

12199.  In Morocco, they eat dates in odd numbers.  Eating dates in odd numbers is an Islamic tradition particularly when breaking fast on the day of Eid al-Fitr;

12200.  In Morocco, 7 is considered a lucky number;

What I've learned since moving to D.C. (some of which should be obvious): 0243

12101.  They have standalone (McDonald's) McCafés in Morocco;

12102.  In Morocco, McDonald’s sells fried (Gouda or chili) cheese bites;

12103.  Apparently, the standard (soft) drink size in Morocco is 12 ounces;

12104.  The blackberry McFizz at McDonald’s (in Morocco) is (really) tasty.  It’s better than the grapefruit one, but the grapefruit McFizz is still good;

12105.  There are a lot of feral/wild cats in Casablanca;

12106.  In Morocco, (fresh) fish is priced per 100 grams, but you have to buy/purchase the entire fish;

12107.  I can say I've had John Dory;

12108.  Getting a hand job in Casablanca . . . check . . . a blowjob . . . (double) check . . . sex . . . (triple) check;

12109.  (I can say) I got railroaded to an unsolicited walking tour in (the Old Medina/City of) Casablanca;

12110.  Casablanca reminds me of Istanbul;

12111.  Casablanca . . . the city where feral/wild chickens and dogs are friends;

12112.  You can buy live chickens in the Old Medina/City of Casablanca;

12113.  The argan tree only grows in Morocco;

12114.  Supposedly, a liter of (high quality) cactus oil can cost (up to) 3,000 euros;

12115.  Apparently, the (feral/wild) cats in Casablanca like (tagine) chicken skin . . . and cartilage;

12116.  Apparently, Mohammed V Square (in Casablanca) is the pigeon pickup spot;

12117.  There are white and black pigeons;

12118.  Apparently, Mohammed V Square (in Casablanca) is known as “Pigeons’ Square” to the locals;

12119.  Apparently, the architecture in Casablanca is a mix of Art Deco and Art Nouveau (i.e., Cas d’Art Deco);

12120.  Casablanca is the largest city in Morocco with over 4 million people;

12121.  Originally, Casablanca was a modestly sized port with a population of about 20,000 people;

12122.  Morocco is a “quasi-democracy.”  The prime minister is elected( by the people), but there is a monarch;

12123.  The King of Morocco oversees foreign diplomacy, while the prime minister oversees domestic issues;

12124.  The King of Morocco appoints the prime minister from the political party that has won the most seats in the (parliamentary) elections;

12125.  The King of Morocco cannot appoint government ministers (the prime minister does), but he can dismiss/remove them;

12126.  There are 36 political parties in Morocco;

12127.  Apparently, only about 10% of the Moroccan population votes in local elections;

12128.  Apparently, some Moroccans are paid for their votes;

12129.  Casablanca is sometimes called Maghreb, which means “the west” or “the land where the sun sets;”

12130.  “Medina” means “city/town.”  When Moroccans say “medina,” they’re referring to the old walled city;

12131.  The souk is the market in the medina;

12132.  Apparently, there’s a 1,500 to 3,000 dirham (i.e., $150.00 USD to $300.00 USD) fine for feeding the stray animals in Morocco;

12133.  In Morocco, students receive a small stipend to attend University;

12134.  In Morocco, there is a historical decree from the French protectorate that only allows Muslims to enter mosques, Jews to enter synagogues and Christians to enter churches.  The only exceptions are the Tin Mal Mosque (which can be visited on days other than Friday) and the Hassan II Mosque (which offers guided tours to non-Muslims);

12135.  Polygamy is allowed in Morocco; however, the husband must get consent from the first wife;

12136.  Only about 5,000 out of 38 million people in Morocco have multiple wives;

12137.  Apparently, it’s not worth haggling over the price of food in Morocco.  The prices (generally) reflect the cost;

12138.  There’s a “Rick’s Café” (RicksCafe.ma) in Casablanca.  It’s a replica from the movie, “Casablanca.”  It was opened in 2004 by Kathy Kriger, a former American diplomat and commercial attaché in Morocco;

12139.  Apparently the grocery stores in Morocco don’t like to make change for big bills (i.e., 100 and 200 dirham bills);

12140.  In Morocco, you can be fined for not wearing your seatbelt;

12141.  In Morocco, you tip with the right hand and you’re supposed to hide the amount. . . . A tip is considered a private act between the two parties;

12142.  In Morocco, there’s a minimum of 10 dirhams for tipping;

12143.  In Morocco, any bathroom/restroom without an attendant or a bowl is free( to use);

12144.  In Morocco, a person typically pays 1 to 2 dirhams to use a public bathroom/restroom;

12145.  You enter a mosque with your right foot;

12146.  Bourbon/whiskey with pomegranate (juice) is pretty good;

12147.  The Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca is the 13^th largest mosque (by capacity) in the world;

12148.  The 2 largest mosques (by capacity) in the world are in Mecca and Medina, respectively, both in Saudi Arabia;

12149.  The Hassan II Mosque (only) took 7 years to build/construct;

12150.  It took only 17 months to build the concrete superstructure of the Hassan II Mosque;