'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.