Daily Life; 'Tsara' which means to walk around in Arabic

Man posing with Saida after cutting herbs

Typical job cutting herbs from a field

Here I am with flowers again

Outdoor bread oven, made of clay

Beautiful carpet in process

Yarn for carpet making

Local woman filling cache with water

Me and Saida

First meal cooked on my own, omelet and zucchini

Man sitting

Beautiful garden

I love children

Still settling in, making a decent home for myself while getting out and about in the community, my work hasn't begun yet. Part of the challenge is to asses this community to find out what it needs. I have been dedicated in telling people what I think about the harmful effects of burning plastic and picking up trash. Though not having a clear vision of what my work entails entirely, I continue to get myself out in the village in hopes that ideas will originate by talking with others, I make myself do this even when I don't feel like it. The Moroccan people continue to amaze me in that they are so warming and hospitable. I am fortunate in having the opportunity the see cultural and interesting things each day, such as carpet weaving, learning about outdoor ovens and cooking, participating in traditional Moroccan weddings, playing with children, looking at flowers and observing Moroccan's in their daily lives. They don't seem to mind that I spend a day with them and when it's time, they don't want me to go. A week here can consist of so many different things. As I am slowly trying to furnish my apartment, I purchased a small fridge for my place yesterday where I traveled 2 towns to get it and 3 taxis back home while it sat in the trunk of each one. Trying to communicate that I am not a tourist with limited language skills is always challenging, but somehow I manage to find at least someone who is willing to help. In fact, a nice lady helped me get a cab from the Marjone store, she actually went with me to the main cab station with my fridge just to make sure I would make it back home safe. Today on my morning walk, I was invited in for coffee and bread with oil while I played with children and looked at a beautiful garden. A man on his motor bike got off to show me how to cut herbs from the field. Daily routines happen while I sit and observe. I am learning that the things that were important to me back home are important to me here and I can find ways to create an enjoyable experience.  

Jdid in Arabic means "New"

Bread process from grain

Washing wheat

Saida resting

Fantasia festival

On top of an Arabian 

Young girl washing hands

Soap factory

My apartment

Local wedding

Saida's house

Sunset from the roof

In a few weeks, I have learned to make bread from grain which is a unique process. I have a new puppy who is keeping me company, her name is 'Saida'. She is very sweet and I believe she called out for me along side the road on my morning walk. I've never had a dog before, so this will be interesting and educational for those here in Morocco that frown upon dogs. It was a treat to see the famous Moroccan fantasia festival, while being a foreigner has it's perks, I was able to get a photo on top of the Arabian! I continue to watch children play, and see new things like how a soap factory is run. I finally got my own apartment which I never imagined would be quite like this. The space allows me to spread out and live minimally. The opportunity to partake in a Moroccan wedding was exhausting and educational. With all of these new things, I can finally sit and watch the sun set from my balcony where it is quiet and peaceful. All is well and satisfying here as the process slowly unfolds as it should. I feel that I am integrating and becoming more a part of the community everyday. And although it continues to be challenging, I am enjoying all of these new things,  whether they are difficult to understand or uncomfortable silences, what started out bothering me is becoming a bit less bothersome and I am recognizing them to be more streamline as the culture teaches me what I need to learn. There's something very unique in being vulnerable and knowing that the people here won't exploit that. The Moroccan's are wonderful and I continue to make even more new friends daily. I am particularly enjoying the dima or center of town where I have moved to, which isn't far from the village or dour where my host sisters and most of the people I've met are from. I have set myself some very small goals and have started a routine which makes sense to me. I am enjoying early morning walks, laundry and weekly food shopping. There is so much to learn and I am grateful for all these experiences.

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.