La Medina

After three lunches in a row at the admittedly decent student cafeterias this week, I took today off and went to a Moroccan place called "La Medina" right on the Rue Daguerre by the IES Center. I had a craving for moroccan mint tea (gunpowder green tea - I'd always buy "saddam hussein brand" in morocco - plus fresh mint and LOTS of sugar) and tajine. I walked in the door to see a huge collection of pastries, plus plenty of couscous and kebabs laid out behind the glass. At first I just intended to stop in to grab something "a emporter" (to-go), but, after hearing an arabic song I recognized, I figured it was worth it to sit down and have the full experience.

I flipped right away to the tajine page, and found my favorite type - the tajine citron with chicken and olives. The waitress came around, and I introduced myself, and we talked for a bit, it turned out she was from Rabat (where I worked this summer), so we bonded a bit. Luckily, 80% of my meager moroccan arabic is food-centered (since when I was over at people's houses, I needed to know how to go through a meal and be appreciative of the food), so I think I might have been able to finangle a double helping of chicken, and I definitely got extra bread. Anyways, the food was great, I ate it with bread, no fork/knife, moroccan-style, much to the delight of the waitress and to the chagrin of my napkin (tajines can be really oily).

On the way out, I remembered to say "schpeti" which basically means "happily full" and earn a sweet and sticky pastry. I know where I'll be going back next week with friends.

Additionally, I know for me sometimes it's difficult to feel that one can really tangibly hold onto experiences. As recent as Morocco was, it's also very far away from DC, and a little less so from France. Just being able to reconnect with my summer a bit was a great experience. I'm really looking forward to going back over spring break.