Tennis wise, 2011 has started for me unfortunately on a similar theme from the last 3 years.  One good match, then five days of rest/rehab.  During my match vs. Klec, I tweaked my foot (thankfully not the knee) and because I was still warm and with adrenaline pumping, I was able to get through the match.  However, next morning I was barely able to push off on my foot.  Thankfully anti-inflammatory pills work wonders these days, and with the help of ice and ultra-sound along with the medicine, foot has been feeling much better.  

We completed our first team practice today and in the evening had a chance to visit the Marrakech's famous Jamaa el Fna along with all the food spots, street performers and vendors. Place is an absolute zoo with thousands of people and scooters zooming around while honking non stop.  I have come to a conclusion that Moroccan drivers are the "Safest Awful Drivers!" Does that make sense? No, not really… but neither does their driving.  Driving lanes might as well be invisible.  Honking a horn is a substitute for blinkers, stop signs and even some of the traffic lights.  Motorcycle drivers are on a whole another level.  At times three people per 50cc scooter from 1943, whizzing through packed squares and streets.  Other times, as you might have seen in a video that I have posted, you will see a donkey or two "galloping" down the main road in the middle of Casablanca, which seems to be completely normal, but for the most part horns and gas are a solution for everything on the road.  However, with all of that happening, you never ever see anybody getting in a wreck.  Most of the cars are dinged up here and there, but no serious pile ups or people getting injured.  I haven't seen a police car since I have been here.  In my 10 days, all i have seen is traffic controllers in uniforms with a whistle, mostly spectating from the side.  Does a label of "Safest Awful Drivers" make any sense now?

Either way, here are few photos from the last few days spent in Morocco. 

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  Some ball-kids in Casablanca thought it would be funny to beat me... 7-1. 

 Official drink...of the World. 

 Need I say more?

  Future of Moroccan tennis

  Davis Cup Center court. Very nice. 

  Center Court named after one of the best Moroccan players, Younes El Aynaoui. He wasn't bad on the ATP Tour either. (Very sarcastic)

  Ismar (teammate) cruising down one of the streets of Marrakech, putting on his best "tourist" face. 

  Some of the best dried fruits... ever. 

  The official poster for the Davis Cup Match.