Azrou, Another Mile Stone

Azrou

Celebration of boy to man ceremony 

Sunset behind the rock

Mosque with birds in center square

Graveyard with interesting tree

Carnival

Fabric store

Giant pastry from coffee shop in town

Narrow alley way

Man playing instruments

Making instruments

Environment Staj going to Gayla
party to meet Health Staj

Friends in Peace Crops 

Azrou, which translates to ‘rock’ in  Amazigh Arabic Berber dialect., is located in the center of this beautiful town. It is a large black volcanic outcrop which one can hike to in order to have a good look at the city. The Middle Atlas rise above Azrou and the cliff faces toward the mountains serving as the only break in the landscape. The city also serves as the foundation of regional trade and social life. It is, so far my favorite place in Morocco and is quite far, about 10 hours from where I live. Although it is reminiscent of a miniature Switzerland, I think it's the European feel that draws me in. During a week stay, I successfully completed my post service training with Peace Corps and feel good that I am approaching my first six months. I had a chance to see the city, spend time with friends, eat pastries, popcorn and ice cream, go to the carnival, practice language, go to a fabric store, watch instruments being made and window shop. As August is just around the corner,  I have decided to take part in Ramadan fasting this year.As there are many challenges that come with Ramadan, I am determined and eager to give it a try for a full month while in country. Although my experience will be different than that of a Muslim, I want to try something new and learn what the natives do each year.   

'nt3llum'; "I am learning"

Boy playing with bricks in wheelbarrow

Neighbor kids coloring in my apartment

Mosque in a nearby town

My feet after being henna'd

Fresh farm eggs from my host sisters

Moroccan woman in my village

Women from the Association

Tomb in a town close by

Beautiful happy cow

Child waiting in a window

I find cats everywhere 

Children making cabinet doors

I can't believe I found a rubix here!

Woman making bread

As I continue to learn the facets of Morocco and my village, I am encouraging myself to continue meeting new people and trying new things despite the language barrier and cultural obstacles. It's easy to stay inside but then nothing is gained in doing so and like back home, it's just not in my nature. Although the children here play rough and are set free for the summer months without much supervision, I invite them to play and spend time in my apartment. They enjoy drawing, playing ball, juggling, eating snacks and reading or running around. Many of them are workers at the local shops in town. The other day, I was taken to a carpentry shop where several children were staining and cutting or measuring wood for cabinets and doors. I asked if I could take their photo as many of them are particularly shy. I am amazed at the craftsmanship and have decided to support my community by having a bed frame and dresser made. To my surprise I was invited for a cous-cous meal to meet the family of the shop owner. Earlier this week, I visited the family of the hardware shop owner in a town close by, they immediately took me in to show me their house and all their animals. They asked if I had a camera and wanted me to take photos for them. We spent the afternoon eating a big tajine lunch, talking about my life here and back home in the states while three women henna'd my hands and feet. Some of the most intricate and beautiful henna I have seen yet. They begged me to spend the night and I told them I would come back to visit. They sent me with olive oil, whole made bread and eggs. On my way out, I saw a beautiful graveyard and asked my friend about the process of death in Morocco. He told me a beautiful story... I am hopeful that the women's association meetings that I attend will get easier and that sometime soon I will have a role. It's always nice to be welcomed by a group of women that are eager to make a difference within their community. I am learning that as I continue to be open, the world keeps opening up to me.       

Daily Life; 'Tsara' which means to walk around in Arabic

Man posing with Saida after cutting herbs

Typical job cutting herbs from a field

Here I am with flowers again

Outdoor bread oven, made of clay

Beautiful carpet in process

Yarn for carpet making

Local woman filling cache with water

Me and Saida

First meal cooked on my own, omelet and zucchini

Man sitting

Beautiful garden

I love children

Still settling in, making a decent home for myself while getting out and about in the community, my work hasn't begun yet. Part of the challenge is to asses this community to find out what it needs. I have been dedicated in telling people what I think about the harmful effects of burning plastic and picking up trash. Though not having a clear vision of what my work entails entirely, I continue to get myself out in the village in hopes that ideas will originate by talking with others, I make myself do this even when I don't feel like it. The Moroccan people continue to amaze me in that they are so warming and hospitable. I am fortunate in having the opportunity the see cultural and interesting things each day, such as carpet weaving, learning about outdoor ovens and cooking, participating in traditional Moroccan weddings, playing with children, looking at flowers and observing Moroccan's in their daily lives. They don't seem to mind that I spend a day with them and when it's time, they don't want me to go. A week here can consist of so many different things. As I am slowly trying to furnish my apartment, I purchased a small fridge for my place yesterday where I traveled 2 towns to get it and 3 taxis back home while it sat in the trunk of each one. Trying to communicate that I am not a tourist with limited language skills is always challenging, but somehow I manage to find at least someone who is willing to help. In fact, a nice lady helped me get a cab from the Marjone store, she actually went with me to the main cab station with my fridge just to make sure I would make it back home safe. Today on my morning walk, I was invited in for coffee and bread with oil while I played with children and looked at a beautiful garden. A man on his motor bike got off to show me how to cut herbs from the field. Daily routines happen while I sit and observe. I am learning that the things that were important to me back home are important to me here and I can find ways to create an enjoyable experience.  

Jdid in Arabic means "New"

Bread process from grain

Washing wheat

Saida resting

Fantasia festival

On top of an Arabian 

Young girl washing hands

Soap factory

My apartment

Local wedding

Saida's house

Sunset from the roof

In a few weeks, I have learned to make bread from grain which is a unique process. I have a new puppy who is keeping me company, her name is 'Saida'. She is very sweet and I believe she called out for me along side the road on my morning walk. I've never had a dog before, so this will be interesting and educational for those here in Morocco that frown upon dogs. It was a treat to see the famous Moroccan fantasia festival, while being a foreigner has it's perks, I was able to get a photo on top of the Arabian! I continue to watch children play, and see new things like how a soap factory is run. I finally got my own apartment which I never imagined would be quite like this. The space allows me to spread out and live minimally. The opportunity to partake in a Moroccan wedding was exhausting and educational. With all of these new things, I can finally sit and watch the sun set from my balcony where it is quiet and peaceful. All is well and satisfying here as the process slowly unfolds as it should. I feel that I am integrating and becoming more a part of the community everyday. And although it continues to be challenging, I am enjoying all of these new things,  whether they are difficult to understand or uncomfortable silences, what started out bothering me is becoming a bit less bothersome and I am recognizing them to be more streamline as the culture teaches me what I need to learn. There's something very unique in being vulnerable and knowing that the people here won't exploit that. The Moroccan's are wonderful and I continue to make even more new friends daily. I am particularly enjoying the dima or center of town where I have moved to, which isn't far from the village or dour where my host sisters and most of the people I've met are from. I have set myself some very small goals and have started a routine which makes sense to me. I am enjoying early morning walks, laundry and weekly food shopping. There is so much to learn and I am grateful for all these experiences.