'Twasl', communication

Olives are in season

Waiting....

Spices at suq

Sunset after a rainy day 

Content

The start of a rug

The beginning

Sister weaving, it's a tedious process

Two neighbor boys

Men walking home after prayer 

Tool used for rug weaving

Squash season

Green beans, eggplant, sweet potato fries

Artsy photo                               

Visiting friends in douar

Sunset in a nearby village                          

I am learning the difference between third world and developing countries. Morocco is a developing country, so what does that mean exactly? Morocco is a difficult place given it's history and sophisticated technology. There is indeed a lot of poverty and abundance of food here. It's challenging to figure out the mindset of people in the rural village as it's very different from the bigger cities. The illiteracy problem is big and there is a very high percentage of the population, about 65%, which is under the age of 25. Youth is where it's at here. I am soaking up all I can get in terms of information in my village from local harvest crops to how things are handled in the bled with families, marriages, and revenue in town, what are the struggles people are having here? How can I help? The daily smells and tastes are still new but becoming more and more familiar. Things like burning plastics and trash gnaw at me constantly and remind me that the pollution problem is grandiose and I'm am not certain how to change it? This is one of my dilemma's, or problem solving challenges. Spreading my message about carcinogens and cancer aren't going far, especially when locals believe there isn't a problem. It's all too easy to get frustrated, feel lonely and blue here. So, I have decided to combat that with visualizing my efforts in small ways and try different avenues while integration is still a big part of my work. In addition, I am still keeping in shape between stair climbing for my body and yoga for my mind and soul all of which makes me feel balanced. I am getting plenty of rest and cooking great meals. I bought some new spices at suq to experiment with. As things have naturally slowed down, the rhythm seems to go against my natural pace, even with regular meditation. Nonetheless, I am enjoying quiet time and have come to accept the up and down days as they are present and frequent. Although language seems to be getting easier, communication is still challenging even with those that do speak English, which is few.The message gets crossed or often misinterpreted and I keep wondering why? I believe the differences between a direct culture and indirect culture are more than we can understand. This point in my service is called; a 'lull'.  

A Day In Marrakech at Jemaa El-Fna medina square

Jamal Efna (main square)

Never seen a stray cat pee in a
public drain before?

Cool doorway

Recycled tin lamps

Recycled tin lantern

Old  unique doors for sale

Window shopping

 Beautiful pottery    

Ribbon galore

Fabric by the meter

There's nothing like spending time at Jemaa El-Fna the main medina square in Marrakech. It's a treat to spend time window shopping and pretending to be a tourist. There's a lot to see and I am learning the city and transportation. It all starts from my site where I leave in a suq bus to the next town over and from there catch an hour taxi to Kech. I have a permanent bruise on my left thigh from all the taxi drivers shifting into my leg as sometimes four sit up front and generally 4 or more in the back. The taxi rushes well over 100 miles an hour passing large trucks, donkey carts, bicycles, sheep and pedestrians crossing the main road. I have learned to just look out the side window in fear that at any moment will be my last. There are no real road rules and no respect for other drivers. From time to time it's nice to get away to the big city not to feel so isolated. It was a treat to spend time with other volunteers for a day wondering the medina, eating kefta sandwiches and ice cream. I spent some time looking out onto the medina from a hotel having a coffee, people watching. I find myself ambivalent towards tourists, but can enjoy blending in and enjoying myself speaking the same language. Perhaps one day, I will look back on Jemaa El-Fna and remember the pungent smells of spices everywhere, motorists in the alley's, tourists galore, overpriced Moroccan wear, monkey's that do tricks, large snakes dancing to music, horse and carriage and food stands as sweet memories....

Moroccan Proverb:"If You Live One More Day, You Will Learn The News"; Est n har, t sma gbar.

Friday cous cous from the bled

'Hirrara', famous Moroccan soup        

Chicken and vegetable tajine     

Girl writes Arabic

Town center          

Full moon

 

Boy comes to see new school

Dust storm sweeps through village

Pre-school space           

Girl learns to tie head scarf        

Dyed peeps from suq                   

Simply beautiful....

Everyday is different. In the beginning, I wasn't  so sure about not knowing what to expect each day and not having a regular schedule to adhere to. In Morocco, there is no importance of time. If it gets done good, if it doesn't, no worries. I have come to realize that being here everyday and knowing each day is different, is a true gift. Being flexible and having no expectations is the best way to not let frustrations get in the way. Being very organized person to begin with, this is slowly changing my urgency for immediate order. 
Moroccan's have a great sense of humor. The other day, I was passing the fruit and vegetable hanut stands in the town center and was called over by the meat hanut owner,  he wanted me to see the selling and butchering of an entire cow. As I arrived he was working on the cow's head. I was amazed that all the innards were the first to be sold as it's a delicacy here. With one whack of a butcher knife, the brain, skull and face were seered right down to the eyeballs. Interested, I watched in amazement and noticed that this amazement wasn't in horror. He asked me, "BsHal bgiti?", (what I wanted to buy), I kindly said, "next time, shukran," which means, "thank you". A far cry from 7 months ago, when I cried at the sight of a chickens head being butchered at a local outdoor market. Many would find this type of butchering disgusting or downright grotesque, perhaps I'm desensitized, but I find it fascinating as part of everyday life in Moroccan culture. He then said "Elash?", (which means why) and I said, "Elash mish mesh, (which means, 'why an apricot is an apricot').  Everyone around laughed and said I am Moroccan for knowing this. They love to joke and tell proverbs. I am reminded that daily routine that the village offers around me is filled with new hidden surprises. As the language is coming more freely now, things are becoming fun. I am looking forward to teaching women and children,  I am in the process of putting together lesson plans. Again, I am feeling especially grateful for a very different life and experience in Morocco as well as having all my new friends and family by my side to support me.      

'Insha'allah'; "If God Wills It" in Arabic

A baby bird lands in the neighbors lap

American vegetable pasta chicken salad I made

Henna for a wedding

Preparing chickens for the family wedding

Mint to prepare for tea

Traditional cous cous

The bride waits for  the veil to be lifted

Bride get hands and feet henna

Boy playing

Women eat main meal together

Bride changes dresses and gets a lift

Kids love to dance

Suq vegetables

Pasta salad with vegetables and kefta

Boy plays with pigeon

Marrakesh

 Gorgeous sunset into Fall                  

                           

Wall Cloud

It was a great experience to be a part of  my families wedding in the village, as my host sister just got married. I enjoyed preparing things for the event and watching the family roles take place. It was the first time I didn't feel like a foreigner and was able to hold a conversation with many people. It was a very happy time for everyone, and I got so much joy out of it. The hustle and bustle of the town center continues as buses with tourists pass through, donkey carts gallop on the side of the road, men ride their motor and bicycles, and trucks bring in fresh produce to the hanuts. I am getting used to the sounds of these mainstream days. Each morning, the qaran plays loudly from the coffee shop  below as I sleep with my windows a jar, it is nice to wake up to this. I have decided to start looking at two potential work opportunities in the village while I continue to wait for the Association to get going for the season. One, is creating a patisserie for locals to make breads and cookies closer to homes where it would create jobs. The other is getting funding for supplies for a pre-school that a local woman wants to start. I am very excited and am working hard to help the villagers meet their needs. Finally a step in the right direction! As time passes, I continue to observe what is around me such as nature, especially the night sky. I am continuing to appreciate all the small things and am finding my role as an active member in my community. As a friend recently said;  "you gotta live your life, Lena." So, I am....the best I know how.