We set off two weeks ago final destination Rabat, my husband Imad’s hometown.
Our journey took us through London to Barcelona where we stayed two nights with a serious bout of jet lag.
We did get out a little bit to walk by the beach, stroll Las Ramblas and chase pigeons at La Placa de Catalunya.
Next stop Rabat. Poor Nouni (what Younis likes to call himself these days) suffered many a long plane ride and just about lost it on this last leg of the journey, but we made it in one piece. That is, except our car seat which my husband somehow predicted would disappear en route. It only took us hmmmm, about one hour post plane ride to sort out how the heck to get it back once we realized it didn’t come on the flight with us.
Finally out we went greeted by the bright Moroccan sun and Nouni’s Aunties. When we got to Imad’s home, lots of excitement, Younis met his two Moroccan cousins Yasmina and Ghalia. It’s amazing how quickly kids adapt to new people and new situations. Younis has proven, as expected, to be a very adaptable kiddo. He loves hanging out with his cousins and in true Nouni style is sure to give everyone a kiss and hug to make sure noone feels left out. 
First weekend, Auntie Loubna’s house in Skhirat by the beach, swimming in the ocean and eating lots of yummy food. Next day, not so fun, Younis got his first stomach bug. He was up most of the night with a fever and discomfort on both ends if you all know what I mean. He had a fever most of the next day, it finally went away the following day and we headed to our first Moroccan pediatrician visit (actually Finnish doctor). Nouni will be ok, a reminder though that all these changes will put our bodies out of whack.
Younis is already learning lots of new words: Bravo, Ti (short for skuti meaning be quiet), agi (come here), dyali (mine, quintessential in toddler vocabulary). Somehow the kids all seem to understand eachother speaking kid language, no need for translation there.
This weekend we celebrated Eid el-Adha also known as Eid el-Kabir. To honor this holiday, Muslims sacrifice a sheep to commemorate God sending Ibrahim a sheep to sacrifice in place of his son Ishmael. We celebrated in Skhirat with family. For days now, the smell of sheep has filled the air. In our apartment search, we have seen many a sheep hanging out in the apartment corridors awaiting their destiny. Heres a picture of our two guys before they met their destiny. We met our sheep early Saturday morning. In true Younis style, he had no fear and wanted to run up to those sheep who were quite fiesty and ready to attack so we had to hold him back. The weekend was full of baa baa and then post sacrifice bye bye baa baa. No part of the sheep is wasted and Younis was pretty amazing at recognizing all the sheep parts and saying bye bye baa baa to each one we passed in the kitchen. That became the mantra of the weekend.... bye bye baa baa. Needless to say, we ate well!
We got to spend some nice time at the Skhirat beach. The weather is getting chilly according to people from here, but for us it is lovely with sun and easily warm enough to play in water. We did have a pretty wild rain and wind storm Sunday which brought back warm memories of our home sweet home. We miss everyone in Seattle and would love news so please email us!!
