Saying Goodbye; "Bslama Mgrib, nshufhum qrib shi nhar mn b3d, nshallah, rbbi amin."

Someone's ready to go!

My following...

this mama is taking exercise seriously

Friend fixing up my clothes

First year English class party

Yummy lemon pistachio cake

Cutting the cake

Gifts and certificate ceremony

Secretary, Director and Teachers at Etagies Private School

It's that time. Time to say goodbye, or see you later. It's a time for celebration, reflection and appreciation.A party was held at the private school where cake and snacks were served. I received a beautiful handmade carpet and certificate of English teaching. A wonderful surprise and end to one of the many experiences I have had in Morocco. I feel loved, appreciated and ready for what awaits me stateside. I am so lucky.

Travel and Work Outside of Midelt

Tauama Women's Association Expo

Expo tents

Girls Club meeting, Tauoma

Yoga in Tauoma

Learning the basics

Tauoma trek Ouarzazate

having a nice cup of tea on the rooftop

Third year volunteers meet in Rabat

What other way would you travel?

Art in Assilah

Yoga on the beach

It worked!

Rooftop Chefchoen

Enjoying Meski, Errachidia with Mounaim's mama

Picnicking in Meski

Camping at Meski

Meski Springs

Sugar cane juice on a very hot day, Errachidia

Swimming

Annie and Jenn, coffee break in Chefchoen

Sunset Chefchoen

My travels started to Marrakech to visit friends in Tauama and teach yoga again, then off to Rabat to catch up with third year volunteers. We then headed to Tatouine for a day in the medina and Chefchoen where we stayed a few days. After my return, Mounaim and I headed to Errachidia for a familyngs  visit, walk in the medina and Springs swim at Meski. I will miss just getting on random transport to hop to another town on a whim. 

Yoga In A Small Village

Yoga and women

A few adorable ladies.

Reverse warrior

Warm up and stretching

Warrior two

Beginning tree pose

Yoga in a small village doesn't mean small results. I had an opportunity to facilitate yoga classes in a nearby village called, 'Boumia' where another volunteer is living and working. He was able to get a Peace Corps grant in the local gym for better equipment and additional exercise classes. The yoga was a great success and many of the women participants remembered my yoga training from a year ago. We focused on alignment, breath, posture and the flow of connecting body and mind. I love teaching the concept of self time through yoga. A concept that isn't well known in Morocco. Although range of motion is more difficult for women here, with patience, persistence and trust, they have made great progress towards a more rewarding practice and understanding of yoga.

National Geographic Tours and Peace Corps

Tauama, Marrakech

Old Kasbah outside Ouarzazate

Old Kasbah doors

Tourists from America on National Geographic tour

Family of home

Exploring site

Tour bus

A typical village home with hammam

Women preparing tea and bread for guests

Peace Corps was contacted by a tour group company called National Geographic Expedition Tours to facilitate a tour for Americans to see how locals live below the Tiz n Titcka Mountain region. Their tour was several stops in Morocco by bus. This was an exciting time for both new visitors to Morocco and volunteers to share their experiences.We spent a few hours one morning showing them around, speaking Arabic with the locals and eating fresh home made bread, eggs, olive oil and sugary tea.A special moment for guests and locals in American and Moroccan culture.  

Peace Initiative; Salam Fellowship Africa and the Middle East

Peace In, Peace Out 2014

With Monk, LP John Paramai from Thailand

Marrakech Mogador Menzah Hotel

Moroccan lamps at hotel

Reflective time, poolside with Moroccan flag

Teaching early morning yoga

Moroccan volunteers and LP

Mindful eating

Monk

Peace Activists

 

Yoga, poolside

I was invited to participate in a Peace Initiative specific to Africa and the Middle East in the big city of Marrakech. I travelled more than 8 hours by bus from my community to proudly volunteer for the yoga portion of a three day intensive meditation retreat. The Monk from Thailand, LP who lead the meditation sessions was inspiring. I met many participants from Isreal, Yemen, Turkey, Palistine, Libya, Kuwait, Sudan, Egypt, Mauratania, and neighboring countries. It was an honor to meet these Peace Activists and have the opportunity to sit and meditate with a monk leading our sessions. I learned a new term, "Sabai" which means, 'light', 'bright' and 'clear'. I learned many things over the three days but mostly that I possess many great qualities which gives me more confidence and reminds me how important my meditation and yoga practice is. As most of these participants will take back these tools to enhance their communities, I will also incorporate more of these tools into mine. It  never ceases to amaze me that these opportunities keep coming forth at the exact time..Sometimes you hope the impact you leave behind will be great and what you realize is that you come back with a greater gift of receiving.