Life in Rabat feels calmer and more relaxed compared to larger cities like Casablanca. As the capital of Morocco, Rabat blends modern life with deep history, creating an atmosphere that feels both professional and traditional. The streets are filled with small cafés, local markets, and people walking along the coastline or through the medina. Many buildings display beautiful Moroccan architecture with detailed tilework and bright colors, while government buildings and newer neighborhoods give the city a modern feel. One thing that stands out is the slower pace of life, where people seem to value conversation, family, and community. Walking through Rabat, it is easy to notice how daily life mixes old customs with the energy of a growing city.
Today I learned about life in Rabat from our tour guide, who was a past employee of the CCLC. He started the tour by showing us the Kasbah of the Udayas, which is a fortified and very safe area of Morocco. He told us that it holds four important things for Moroccans which all have one thing in common. This was the candy bar question he said, and the answer was socialization. Socialization is a big part of Moroccan culture. An example from back in the day would have been gossiping while getting water, whereas now it could be going to get coffee or tea together.
When in class learning about our home stays, I learned more about dining in Moroccan culture. Personally, I found it interesting to see and learn how they eat shared foods. Not only do they share and allow you to try everything, but the meal is also consumed with your hands, and you have a pizza pieshaped section of the table that is your tab and that you have access to.
Now I am currently with my host family, and I see how open and warm Moroccans are when welcoming new people into their home. In my host family, the dynamic is that there is a mom and dad and a 26-year-old sister and an 18-year-old sister, who are both super open to including me in their activities. From playing me music they are listening to to showing me how to use the shower I am being exposed to more and more Moroccan culture.