Shiwab-Shiwa

'Shiwab-Shiwa' in arabic means 'little by little'. This is what I keep telling my host family as I am learning Darija arabic while they are teaching me everything they know. I love my host family, they are very accaepting and loving. The terrain, infostructure, and amazing moroccan cuisine is very special here. The language and training is aggressive and I am enjoying the challenges that face me. Moroccan's are extemely friendly and welcoming people. Greetings are important while having tea and bread in people's homes is also popular. I enjoy the animals that roam free, the calls to prayer and the differences between cultures. There is so much expereince and share.

Je Vais Au Moroc!

A good friend leaves me with this: "Leap.....and the net will appear." I can tell you at this moment I feel peaceful and ready. Thank you all for the magnitude of loving support.

Je vais au Moroc Dimanche pour traville avec le a Peace Corps. Quand j' arrive a Rabat pour trois mois d'entrinement. J'habiterai en famille pour apprend francais, l'Arabic et les traditions Berberes. Je suis impatiente de voir les montagnes Atlas, la Mediterraneen, le Sarhara et de manger la cuisine Marocaine. (I am going to Morocco Sunday for work with the Peace Corps. I arrive in Rabat for 3 months of training. I will live with a family to learn French, Arabic and the traditions of the Berbers. I am looking forward to seeing the Atlas mountains, the Mediterranean, the Sahara, and eating the Moroccan cuisine.)

Saying Goodbye & Letting Go

Having family and friends sending you off can be a very bitter sweet experience. Saying goodbye although it is temporary, is difficult. How do you let go? I have decided to focus on the new exciting and challenging adventures that await me in Morocco. It's a strange feeling to know you are headed in the right direction and yet you can't see what is on the horizon. An old friend said that there is an arabic word for that which is, 'maktoub' meaning 'it is written'. Reflecting on it, I'm not sure if anything happens just by coincidence.

A Taste Of Morocco

Although this isn't the traditional henna design, I wanted to explore henna before experiencing it abroad. Henna has deep roots in Moroccan history when Berbers first migrated to the area. Henna is a type of plant which was one of the first to appear in Morocco. In cave paintings of prehistoric humans of North Africa, we are able to see the beginnings of designs that reflected their daily lives as hunters and gathers. Early Berber images reflect aspects of their rural lives, connected to nature and the agrarian cycle. These early images include planting, harvesting, the sun, moon and earth. It is said that these symbols are not only for decoration, but also for protection from the evil spirits believed to dwell in the surrounding trees and streams. More recent designs include, magic numbers and squares, verses from the Koran, Arabic script, geometric shapes triangles, squares, crosses, six and eight-pointed stars, spirals, circles and diamonds as well as motifs representing plants, flowers, humans, eyes and hands in addition to odd numbers that appear to be significant in henna design.

The Significance of Blue in Morocco

Berber traditions are deeply steeped in the supernatural. Arabs, Berbers, and many Jews profoundly believe in the power of the color of blue to ward off evil spirits. It would be impossible to count the doorways and the windows that are painted blue in Morocco and in many other areas of North Africa and the Middle East. It is attributed to a mysterious supernatural power called, "kimia" where even the poorest faithful peasants are able to survive despite subsistent levels of food, often only scant quantities of bread dipped in oil. Satiety is said to be attained more by faith than by food. "What isn't known can't be stolen...." Who can say whether this ancient saying was born out of folklore or the reality of prevalent thieves? Nonetheless, in Morocco perhaps more than any other area of North Africa, the cloak of secrecy and the characteristic of self-debasing modesty exist side by side with scenes of secluded walled courtyards, hidden door-ways painted a luminous blue, women clad in burkas (head-to-toe enveloping cloth "veils"), and djellaba clad men together with vendors of amulets, potions, and formulas all guaranteed to ward off the evil eye. These indigenous nomad peoples of Morocco are called, "Tuareg" or, people of the veil.

The Holiday's

I was so grateful for the holiday's and I am also grateful that they are over. As simple as I try to envision the holiday's to be, I also know that there most likely won't be one for the next few years and at the same time, I know there will be new holiday's to part take in. I really enjoyed spending time with family and friends and the fisrt light of the New Year while writing haiku's. As time approaches, I am beginning to beleive that this is very much becoming a reality.

Yoga for Centering

What does yoga mean to me? Balance. In the chaos of preparation with departure, yoga is keeping me grounded. I am able to stay present and focused, determined to make a mind, body and spirit connection. As this consistent routine continues, I hope to bring this integral part of my life with me to share abroad.