Thanksgiving and Friends; 'SaHabti dyali'

Family wedding

On the roof getting some sun

New volunteers, Lucia, Mike and Cait with host sister

Quince tajine, yum...

Kefta, grilled zucchini, pomegranate and tea

Kefta and curried rice delight

High Atlas Mountains

Marjane market

New toaster oven baking quiche

New radiator heater

Thanksgiving crew, Devon, Marc, Larissa, Mark Jennifer and Alex

Giving gifts and giving thanks

On our walk through the village 

Chicken walking on corn cobs

Kitties napping on corn husks

Walking through village

Donkey resting

Stopping for a group photo

Thanksgiving sunset

Meal with ambiance

I'm not sure what happened?

Someone got a glance of me

After the hair episode before, Jennifer did an updo

Soup from coffee cafe below apartment

Good friends, Marc and Larissa

Thanksgiving turned out better than I expected as I hosted this year. My Peace Corps friends, eight arrived from various places in Morocco, some traveled eight or more hours and arrived late afternoon Thursday and stayed through the weekend. Not used to all the luxuries here in Morocco or in my apartment as compared to the States, it was a bit challenging but doable. Cooking the big meal was difficult on one small propane tank and took several hours but we took turns cooking things and had music playing to make the time pass. You would never know we were limited as we cooked like true American's making glazed sweet carrots, garlic buttered green beans with almonds, rosemary sweet potatoes, corn bread, salad, grilled turkey, brownies with frosting and wine all by candle light. It was a great time and all tasted great! I am so grateful for my Peace Corps friends and will have special memories. This year was a chance to reflect on all the great things I have had and continue to have. Aside from cooking together, listening to music and playing games we also spent some time on the roof napping in the warm sun, reading trashy magazines and watching the beauty of the snowed Atlas mountains on both sides as I am located between the middle and high Atlas mountain range. We took a walk in the village and spent time having tea and cookies with my host family. In spite of the cold we managed to stay cozy together all bundled up, laughing and watching our breath. This week I managed to buy a radiator heater and toaster over which I wished I had sooner. Since making my vision collage last week, work has started and I am enjoying it immensely. I am teaching English and yoga at the Dar Taliba, (House of Students) as well as starting an environment club to bring awareness to the rural village. In addition, I will be teaching English at the local college and continuing the environment club there. Soon the Woman's Association, (Jamaya Amal dyal l3alyt) I will be learning the Moroccan culture through crafts and cooking and in return will teach them English and yoga. All the waiting and patience is paying off and I am starting to feel more fulfilled.