The traditional meal lasts for 2-3 hours. It might begin with olives, bread and baba ghanouj. Then a tray of side dishes. Today's lunch (see photos) had hummus, something with tomatoes, cilantro and onions, a dish of octopus, potatoes, unidentified green stuff (very good), chick peas in sauce, and several other things. A tossed salad dish follows. Then a main course, perhaps tajine (which is a sort of stew) or couscous (which is not like anything we make with couscous in the U.S.). Then there is dessert: a pastry or fruit salad. Finally the ubiquitous mint tea which, custom dictates, must be poured from a pot held at an absurd height (see photo).
You see why it takes hours. I have not yet determined how one is supposed to eat all this, but I am making my efforts here, on your behalf.
PS. Tomorrow I leave Rabat for Casablanca where I will begin sitting in on classes.