Day 3 - Down to Business

...rest of the pictures not up yet...

Mon Apr 9

Met Said and driver at 10:30, went to Special Olympic head offices in Rabat. Met with National Director and Sports Training Director (who's been working with mentally disabled persons since 1980) and were given an athlete. Her name is Hasna, she plays table tennis, and lives in a poor to moderate household. After the customary glass of tea, we drove to the athletic center were a lot of the local athletes come to train. We watched the Sports Director lead swimming practice, he was even in the pool helping an encouraging someone as they learned to swim. He'd make a great story if we had time.

After about 30 minutes, we left and went to lunch at Marché Central, same restaurant as the day before (remember, Said eats there everyday normally). Whitney had chicken, brochettes again for me. Taxi back to hotel. Worked on pictures and video stuff (what's new). We were picked up again at 4:30 to go to Hasna's house, she lives in a satellite town of Rabat, where we met the family and chatted for a while (one of the brother knew a little English). We were offered and politely drank some Moroccan tap water (!), and had some 'Hawaii' orange soda as well. (think Orangina) About a 20 minute drive back to the Hilton. We were driven back by way of the coast, then went into the city to shoot scene setting shots of the Mausoleum of Mohammed V and city from across the water. Got in trouble with the security officers who were guard a construction project (essentially a road and shop foundations), he thought we might have been filming the construction they were doing. (remember, security is tight here, we can't shoot in a lot of places) We were slightly worried they might take our tape from the camera. The Director (I still can't remember his name) had to go talk to site manager, and explained we were working for the Princess (who endorses and champions SO in Morocco), so everything OK after 20 minutes of waiting around.

Dinner at pizza place, recommended by Said. I had pizza with meat, g peppers, oregano, W had calzone. It was very good. Both of us ate for around $10 total. Taxi back to hotel, we wrote down all expenses (which yes, Mom, we're keeping track of) looked at pictures, bed...