quick update

so yesterday started off badly but ended really well. after our last class our new homestay father, Driss, met us at ALIF and took us to our new home. this place is BALLERRRRR. Driss and his wife, Amina, are probably in their mid to late 60's, and have a 4 story house in the Talha Kabira part of the old Medina. the first floor is one room, a kitchen and bathroom, where we all eat and where they sleep. the next floor is a main sitting room with 2 on the sides, then another floor with Sarah's bedroom (yes, we get our own and yes, they have actual beds) and an AIR CONDITIONED tv room (where Amina sometimes sleeps). The next floor is my room and the roof terrace, which we cross in order to get to the bathroom with a lovely western toilet and snazzy shower.

the place is incredibly gaudy. it looks like grandma's apartment, only moroccan style, and spread over 4 floors. fake flowers and tacky metallic paintings and weird stuffed animals are everywhere, and the furniture is bright yellow and hot pink and black. it's clear that Driss and Amina, who make us call them Pops and Mama, have a lot of money. they've also been hosting students for over 12 years, and showed us a book of great review written by the students, as well as pictures from all their travels all over the U.S. i even found a photo book of cincinnati? they don't speak english well at all, but are the sweetest little old couple, and i'm actually grateful for bed bugs at this point. except i'm still itchy.