Marche Maroc; Marrakech

 Jamma El-Fna famous square at night

Marrakech Mosques

Prep meeting for vendors

Walking to the Fair

Setting up

Jewelry vendors

Vendors from Taouma

Argan Oil

Argan Oil

Beautiful rugs

All hand crafted

Off the square outside medina

Pastry cart

Tajine and bread plates

Daggers

Sweet little guy for sale

How I look traveling

Afriqia Hotel

Traditional cup of mint tea on the square

Spending time with friends

Jilaba Iron Press

Someones sewing machine being repaired

Fresh coconut, yum...

Horse and carriage on square

Medina is always packed

Love these candle tins

Welcome booth

Love the matching jilabas

Booth Tents

Posing with a few vendors and volunteers

Reminds me of a post card

My room at Hotel Afriqia

In Gueliz outside square

Tea pots everywhere

Recycled rubber items made from tires   

It all started when I caught a taxi to Kech to join up with volunteers to work the Marche Moroc on Jamaa El-Fna Friday-Monday. I sat next to a guy that had just escaped from 'Bouya Omar', a mental institution 4 kilometers from my house. He was telling the others in the taxi his story and he didn't know I spoke or could understand Arabic. He said he had "no money and just came from Prague" to see his family in Rabat where he was trying to go to explain his story to them as his father put him in this institution as he had a prior drug problem. As he spoke very good English with a heavy British accent, somehow I believed him. He said he would "explain everything on the way to Kech" which was about an hour ride. Eagar with anticipation and awareness, holding my bag close, I listened in detail and asked lots of questions. How did you escape I asked? He said he "used big rocks to cut the chains loose that attached his feet to the wall" and proceeded to show me the blood burned area around his feet, then he and his friend jumped a stone wall and caught a taxi to where I was. How did you get money to get a taxi fair to Marrakech I asked? He said he told his story and everyone he told helped him with a few dirhams here and there. One aspect of Muslim culture I love. Will the police look for you? "Yes", he proclaimed "but the system is corrupt and no-one will know where I am, they don't care" he says, "it's all about money and the government knows about Bouya Omar but they don't care" he says. "They don't feed the mental patients but a handful of rice and a small square of bread only one or two times a day. I couldn't stay there" he said, "I don't like it one bit, it's not right to treat people like animals, or that way." He said it was great I was learning Arabic and the Moroccan culture, I told him I am a volunteer with Peace Corps and I want to help out. He knew about Peace Corps and said this experience would change my life forever and it's honorable work. We chatted until we reached the taxi drop off. He never asked me for money or my number, unusual for a Moroccan man. He gave me his contact info for his family in Rabat and said if I ever needed anything or a place to stay I am most welcome, then he wished me luck just like that. He said he just wanted to straighten out this mishap with his family and live a simple life but that it is hard in Morocco to get ahead even when you are educated and need a job as there is a lack of work. The taxi driver and other passengers gave him money before we got out. I reached into my sack and gave him a few oranges and yogurt which he declined. I finally made it after the city bus arrived to the festival then to the hotel to check in. The weekend was eventful and fun to be with other volunteers and women vendors from many associations making hand made items. But most of all, I reflected on the beginning of this journey as a reminder of the interesting people I continue to meet in Morocco and the struggles they face.

A Day in El Sharij

El Sharij douar village

Friends donkey and chicken 

Meat Tajine cooked with more heat

Traditional bread basket

Happy child

Tea and nuts before meal

Balloons are fun to give to kids

Baby lamb

Before prayer

Laila and Laila

Meat and veggie tajine

Kitty in the sun

Playing 

Lemon tree

Friends house

I had the chance to visit a town close by called, 'El Sharij' where I often go to get my mail. My friend invited me to have lunch, meet her family and see the village. It was an incredible day filled with laughter, seeing new things, eating good food, jumping rope, playing, learning about the village, and sharing gifts. I am making so many new friends, I am having trouble keeping up to get back to their homes. Morocco is all about hospitality and visiting one another. The locals don't work much and have an abundance of time on their hands. Cooking a lot is just one aspect of life here. I am learning all about rug making, embroidery, cooking, places to visit, milking cows, getting food from the fields for the animals which people own need to be fed. Milk, eggs, whole-made bread, olives and fresh oil all are a part of what I get to experience while visiting friends and family here. Before I leave my bag is loaded up with these items. Although it's cold and there is no heat and homes have nothing fancy, the overnight accommodations are well worth the travel and time involved in making the effort. I am getting used to sleeping on large rock pillows, blankets upon the concrete floor and rising early for breakfast. I will always cherish these unique experiences. 

Friends house

When Times Are Cold and There is No Water

High Atlas view from village

New home in village

Love the greenery

Donkey

Boy plays with corn cobs

Making dinner in my new Jilaba at the Dar Taliba

Pigeons are abundant here

Happy ducks

Hen's palace

Construction in town, new Police station known as Kiad

Sunset over Mosque

Luckily I haven't been to the Pharmacy

Winter sunset from rooftop

The only time I'm warm is in bed, when the sun is out or exercising!

Sign in front of where I live

Coffee shop below my apartment

Eating Fisa, so yummy

Got the honor of pouring tea

Cookies I baked

I have been visiting the village a bit more frequently these days as the water tower in my village is not working. The motor is broken and the town doesn't have the means to fix it at the moment. I am forced to purchase drinking water and walk to the 'sagia', the water run off from somewhere else, in order to get water. It's a pain, but I can't complain, at least there's a means for water. It will be interesting to see this unfolds, I have a feeling it may last awhile. It makes it difficult for workouts, laundry and dishes. But alas, I am still happy. February will be the coldest month yet in Morocco, then rain and warmer weather will proceed. I am looking forward to having a thermometer to see the actual temperature inside and out, which is coming in the mail soon. The only times I am warm is on the roof or outside when there is sun, in bed with all my layers of clothes on, or exercising. I know that this too shall pass. The students and woman have left for vacation called '3tla Sieda' until mid February which has lightened my teaching schedule completely. I made cookies to take to the event today, I've never seen a plate of cookies disappear so fast, I think they were good but I didn't get a chance to try one. We had fun eating, 'Fisa', bread and lentils with cow's stomach, many cakes, cookies, nuts, tea, soda and Moroccan pancakes. It was nice to visit and be together while trying to forget about the cold.