Likaysul Makaytlfsh: "The One Who Ask's A lot, Won't Be Lost"

Art wall at youth center

Mosque close to village

Host families house

Peace Corps freinds

Mosque entry in village

Marrakesh

Feet henna'd

Contemplating

Cool hand henna

Studying

Coal eyes in preparation for wedding celebration

This cows produces amazing milk!

Moroccan's love proverbs and I am learning plenty of them in order to make an easier transition when meeting people using humor during this cultural exchange. My path here is taking me into new adventures all the time. Despite the hot weather, language barrier, long meetings, mosquito's, difficult travel and abundance of food, I am making my way slowly. I am meeting many new people who are very welcoming and finding little surprises around each corner which is delightful. One day consisted of being taken by a friend who teaches at the girls school to meet her family which consisted of a tour of their home, eating fresh watermelon and drinking hot tea on a 116 degree day with many women in a fairly small room. When I wanted to take a photo of their cow, they laughed and asked if we have cows in America. I took a 2 hour nap in a room with a fan with the women whom I just met. Later, I got hennaed by a young girl who spent well over an hour and a half  drawing on my hands and feet. We had more food, olives, bread, and hot coffee. They asked me several questions about Ramadan and why I'm here in Morocco. They always laugh when I tell them my story. Before I knew it, I was taken across the way where I met the extended family. I declined tea and bread while they sprayed perfume and put coal on my eyes.Afterwards, I watched them eat an enormous pile of snails spitting out pieces from time to time. The conversation and gossip was loud and determined and I was fascinated by it. I was later walked home by children in the village, exhausted, but happy...

Everyday is a new Beginning; "Jadid Culyum"

Cat awaits food

Mallards in search of food

Guinea foul

Association and teaching school

Neighbor boy shows me baby ducks

Freshly caught fish 

Neighbor boy loves my camera

Lots of sheep herding here

Family prepares cous cous with cat

Sunset from rooftop

I have been enjoying all that comes my way. I am an observer here and wonder when I will be a part of the script or story. All is well here as I continue to overwhelm my camera with photos of daily life. My site mate is gone and I feel confident in continuing alone as I make new friends each day. I am learning that no day is a like and being flexible is becoming more and more natural. I have been able to take in as much nature as possible, watch the growth of baby animals, view the sunset each day, learn to make cous-cous for an entire community, educate my family about the devastating health effects of burning plastics, admire farmers and herders, teach small children English while sharing what I know in Arabic, watch funny soap operas, eat a lot and drink sweet mint tea and talk to strangers who are now my friends. Everyday is a new beginning...  

It's The Small Things; "Shi Haja Sgrira"

I am coming from the taxi stand

Beautiful path on my daily walk

Outside house

Preparing dinner

Typical hamman bathing structure

     

Host families bunnies

Field of flowers on morning walk

View from inside host families house looking out

Sheep enjoying food

Host families dog and cat

African sunset

Rosemary, yumm...

Pretty flowers

Caitlin, my site mate

After travelling 7+ hours we finally got to our site where our family was waiting for us. We had a difficult day sitting on a crowded bus, winding around the Atlas mountains on a bus without shocks moving quickly on a narrow road. Enjoying the beauty of the mountainside trying not to notice the many switch backs and no  ledge with a steep cliff down below, we eventually made it to our first destination, Merrekesh. We then took 3 more taxis to our final destination. We paid triple the cost in travel as we haven't been successful in convincing natives we are not tourists and are living and working in Morocco. Nonetheless, I was happy to finally arrive. I had for gotten how green and beautiful this area is. I am glad to be here now even though the tasks seem more than daunting and unattainable. As we have already been to trainings this week, we are learning a lot but are hot, overwhelmed and worn out using our language skills. We have met many great locals and have unique day to day experiences. The things I love are being outside, talking to natives while enjoying a cup of tea or coffee or both while eating a bit of sweets sitting under an olive tree embracing awkward silences. I love going to the roof of my house and watching the African sunsets while writing in my journal. I've introduced yoga and jump roping which my family thinks is hysterical. I am learning more about cooking and sharing my cookie recipes here. The adjustment period is very challenging and I am creating as much happiness for myself as possible in the process.    

Celebrating & Swearing In as a Volunteer

Sitting in a quiet place

Juice Bar

Breakfast at a cafe on the main square

Snails are a delicacy here

I will miss the new friends I have made in the first few months of training. I have been enjoying a day off with swimming, walks, shopping, running errands, eating, breakfast coffee and pastries, avocado pear juice with nuts, henna, a humman scrub, relaxing with friends and catching up on some rest.

Special performance on the rooftop

New handmade clothing for  celebration

Group photo, 57 volunteers (Health & Environment)

Ikram my Arabic teacher

Podium

Community Based training group

Special henna for swearing in

Ikram and host sister

End Of Training and A New Phase

I will miss my host family tremendously, and will hope to visit them as

my language improves. I will miss training in general even though I am grateful for for this phase to over. I have learned so much thus far and have met so many wonderful people. "Li fat mat" in darija means, "what's done is done." I have been enjoying the use of Moroccan proverbs. Our training group hosted a party for the families that hosted us in our small village of about 300. We made American pizza and had a beautiful arrangement of sweets that were prepared a day a head by local women of the village. Wednesday, both the Health staj and Environment staj volunteers will be sworn in as official "Volunteers". This means we will be travelling to our final sites throughout Morocco where the real work begins. I will be living with 2 sisters and close to my site mate until we get out on our own July 1. I am excited for the change and moving forward with optimism and little fear.