Best Foot Forward

Bird resting in mosque window

Teaching yoga at Woman's Association

New socks and converse

Teacher at the Woman's Association

Teaching yoga to girls at the Dar Taliba

Sign entrance to the Dar Taliba

Things still blooming here

 Woman in classroom at Association

 Tricia  at IST Suq Prom

Larissa at IST suq Prom

Beautiful High Atlas Mountain view

My Village

Christmas box from home

A little American pride

There is a lot of construction in the village

My Christmas tree

New handwoven hat for Christmas

 New coat rack 

Christmas was better than I expected. It was spent with good friends in Tauoma. Two volunteers from the Health staj attended and I had the opportunity to get to know them better as they traveled from Kaalat Maguna region, South near Ouarzazate. An American joined us from from Boulder, he is a friend of  one of the volunteers visiting Morocco for the first time. Together, we prepared and ate an amazing meal of spiced potatoes, coliflower pie, chicken tajine, stuffing, apple bread, apple-prune sauce, cheese and toasted almonds, hot chocolate, wine and dark chocolate. We definitely don't disappoint. As we ate late, around 12am, the latest dinner I've ever had, we passed the time playing fun games, chatted, talked about our traditional holidays in the states and watched, 'Charlie Brown's Christmas' and 'The Grinch Stole Christmas'. I was so tired, I could hardly keep my eyes open... The next day, I  visited the Woman's Netti in Tauoma which was a treat to see handmade rugs, pottery and purses, all of which I wanted to buy. Back in my village, I received a few letters, postcards and packages from home which made Christmas feel special. The first time I was pick pocketed was when I returned home in the suq bus. I saw a young man with his hand in my sweater pocket as he was sitting on a seat while I was standing up. I waited because I knew what was inside my pocket, a gross freshly used Kleenex with snot all over it... As he quickly removed his hand after grabbing the wet Kleenex, he was surprised! I made eye contact with him. I said, "God is watching you", he said, "you are Moroccan". We both laughed and he shook my hand as I got off the bus. When I got home from traveling, I received several gifts from community members; fresh oil from the man that sells me nuts, earrings from the teacher at the Association, fresh fruit from a local hanut and a jacket from my family. I feel very blessed to be here over and over again. It's all the little things that make this place special and makes me feel alive and appreciated. I am often reminded that no matter how less fortunate we think we are, there are others who are even less fortunate. Looking back and letting go of 2011, many changes took place, not an easy transition from leaving family and a life I loved behind in order to try something new. Moving forward into 2012, I am looking to all the new challenges I face with openness, a sense of humor, gratitude and courage.

'Tiwizi'; Community Spirit

Traditional hummam or bathhouse

Chicken and fries with olives

Traveling has become second nature

Moroccan man loading food on top of bus

Caught a quick glimpse of two men waiting at the bus stop

The taxi dilemma, which one, where and how much?

Moroccan dish called 'fisa', lentils, chicken and msinmn bread

Girls at the college, English class

Different teas, mint, nah nah, sheba, louisa

Standard Moroccan ovens called; 'foran'

Village friend has a baby, 3 months old named Sara 

Village boy poses for photo with  rabbit

Mom and baby making tajine and bread

Another carpet started

My apartment complex, middle unit

Afternoon grass in field behind my apartment

Finished carpets

Tents where nomads are moving through the village

 Large snap peas called; 'fol'

Yes, every now and then I have a coffee out at a cafe

I have been very busy teaching English and yoga and putting together lesson plans. The Woman's Association has begun and it has been a pleasure teaching primarily yoga and health lessons there three times a week. There are about ten woman so far and will likely grow. I have asked them to help me better understand their culture by teaching me some of the local crafts, they seem excited to get started. I spent the last several days meeting with the Delegue in Kalaa where I am awaiting official documents and papers to be stamped in order to teach in the school. It's not an easy process. I was pleased to understand our conversation and tell him my goals within my community and mission with Peace Corps. I have been enjoying gatherings with neighbors and families in the village from time to time. Slowly, I have been continuing to furnish my place or get the necessities I need to make my life more comfortable here. I  am happy and am looking forward to continued tutoring with a local English teacher, my colleague whom lives closer than my last tutor. I am looking forward to spending Christmas with good friends in Tauoma the end of this week and sad to leave my community as things are really moving now. Perhaps missing the community is a good sign as it shows my dedication and love for where I am living and working. Community spirit is working it's best here as many seem to be working together and interested in my role here.    

Final Peace Corps Training; Mehdia and El Jadida

Marrakech Film Festival

Cindi Sued Hotel Door in Marrakech

Ginger Tea at Jamaa Elfna in Marrakech

Large Egret's in Kanitra

Stacked Toilets I found artistic  

Mehdia Sunset

Pink high-tops to add to my shoe collection

My imaginary future home in Mehdia

Beautiful Mehdia Sunsets

Teaching Yoga Evenings in Lobby At  Mehdia

The Mehdia Beach

Do you see what I see? A green roof...

El Jadida at night

Popcorn or ice cream, always tough, why not have both?

Fresh Eggs Galore

Neat Architecture 

El Jadida Beach

What is This, It's Alive!

Camels have the Cutest Eyelashes

Outside the Medina at El Jadida

Best Fish Meal on Beach

Fabulous Door

Artichoke and Turnips at Outdoor Market!

Fish and Crab everywhere, yumm...

Castle Like Architecture in El Jadida 

Girls at Dar Taliba in Village

Room Where I Teach

Hesna and Kadush in Kitchen

Where the Students Sleep

Graffiti in My Village                       

The last training called IST (In Service Training) means we as volunteers have successfully completed one third of our Peace Corps service. We received a lot of information on teaching in the classroom, standard goverment procedures as well as presentations from Peace Corps volunteers that had good advice for getting started as many of the volunteers don't have work yet in their villages. We also heard from the US water and Forest Department and their role in Morocco and opportunities for when our service ends. It was great to see many fellow volunteers that sadly, I may not see again as our site locations are very far from one another. The next checkpoint will be medical checkups in May which will be my one year anniversary as a volunteer. I am continuing to enjoy seeing different places in Morocco and learning new things and am looking forward to spending the Christmas and Hanukkah holiday with friends in Touama. Teaching lessons and final authorization to teach in the school has arrived and I am eager to get started with yet another teaching program this week. My schedule has tripled in terms of work and it looks as though I may be teaching Monday-Saturday. When it rains it pours.. As the Woman's Association is still on hold, I have enough to keep me busy with a nice balance of work, travel and play. I am delighted...