Paris France; A Break from Morocco

A lovely breakfast before a long walk

One of many beautiful church's

Montmarte cemetery

Fromagerie

Rent a bike

Musee Orsey

View from Mussee Orsey window

Boat rides

Church candles

Paris grafitti art

Outside Sacre De Coeur

Sacre De Coeur

Artist's row, Sacre De Coeur

Musician at Sacre De Coeur

Eiffel Tower at night

Katherine, Lisa and myself at Eiffel Tower

The start of lights

Sparkles at 11pm

Sweets at friends Richard and Peggy

Spiritual area at Jardin Luxembourg 

Observatory at Luxembourg

Lucky couple at Notre Dame

Woman performing outside Musee Pompidou  

Locks of love at Notre Dame bridge

I made it, Louvre

Artist working with chalk at Louvre

Richard and Peggy

Woman at Musee Pompidou

Art outside Musee Pompidou

Pere Lachaise Cemetery

Ending with an evening boat ride

Goodbye Paris...

It was refreshing to take a well deserved break from Morocco. I enjoyed Paris immensely. The architecture all of which I have studied over the years in design school was refreshing and extraordinary to see up close and personal. I was pleasantly surprised to see such a rich city unfold before me where I felt free and inspired all the while, like a breath of fresh air and a sigh of relief. A lot of walking, eating great food, spending time with good friends and admiring history and art all around me. I want more as a tasting was just enough to wet my whistle. After returning to Morocco, I realized how hard my job in the Peace Corps really is and it is nice to recognize this and know I am coping as well as can be expected. It was wonderful to return to a community that has missed me, embracing me with coffee, fruit and invites. The weather here has been oppressively hot, the majority of my community gone for the start of Ramadan and my travel companion went back to her site, which has left me feeling sad. In spite of that, I am happy to be back.

A Visit to Azilal, A Community Speaking Tamazight

Friday Prayer at the Mosque in Azilal

Azilal, Ait M'Hamid

Men walking in village

Watermelon on the roof

Clothing Suq, which I love, it's like thrifting! 

Happy village chickens

Resting donkey

I love camping, popcorn on a fire!

Me and Donna waiting for a taxi in the rain!

Flowers in bloom

A trip to Azilal was needed as the weather here hasn't broken 100 in weeks. Azilal is North of me about two hours in the mountains and the weather cooler there. I rested with my friend Donna for a few days and we went to the suq, ate peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and watermelon, watched movies, sat on her roof and garden area, and talked a lot. It was a nice get away, one which I will repeat later this summer. The locals spoke a different dialect of Arabic, called Berber Tamazight. Not as friendly as a community as mine, it was a nice chance to see yet another volunteer adapting to their community very different from mine. 

'Ana Mhduda'; I am lucky

New tennis shoes for a little girl in my village from the US military/African Alliance

Visiting students house in a nearby village

Chicken tajine

New baby, Abdulla in village

Kids posing behind house wall

Dar Taliba blooming roses in entry

Association building, view from field

Kids in village

Workout station

Common scene in the crop fields

Temporary door at new building

Tabuli salad on a hot day

Despite the 107 degree weather these past weeks, the locals get out as if it were no problem, I try to stay cool inside or getting an occasional pop-cycle from the hanut filled with sugar or eating watermelon and staying hydrated with electrolytes. It's downright oppressive...I've stayed away from soda, but every now and then a cold cola from a glass bottle with sugar is just the ticket. On a different note, I am getting a lot of personal and awkward questions these days from the locals such as, 'what's it like to have a menstral cycle, what do I think of Obama and my political views, why am I not married yet or have several husbands?' Same sex relationships in America, what am I going to do with all my belongings when I leave Morocco? 'Why don't I wear a jilaba and why do I do things alone? Do woman in America get hit by their husbands like Morocco? What about the children? Why haven't I seen my family from America in over a year?' I want to be honest and my approach has always been to think of the US as a whole and to keep my personal beliefs aside as much as possible. Perhaps these questions are good as it might mean I have reached a new level trust with my community. A recent experience with  a co-worker proved to be educational in terms of personal space and freedom. As she leaned over and grabbed my shirt, she got a glimpse of my tattooed arm. With disgust and surprise, she reminded me that this is very shameful in Morocco and against Muslim faith. I proceeded with care to let her know I am not Muslim and it's not shameful from where I come from and I want to respect the culture here which is why I am covered a lot like the scarf she wears on her head. Without her fully understanding, we got to a place of agreement which is all that mattered. I am saddened that the freedom that I have is not attainable in Morocco and although she may feel free enough, this is what divides us and our cultures. At any rate, I am lucky... to have the opportunity to share with those that might not agree and to show that having an opinion is a vital part of our being as humans.   

Back to What Matters

My dad's new mode of transportation

Henna and using a decal, something new

"Laila, please take our picture!"

Walking path in village

It's the small things

This baby goat lost it's mom....

Welcome Illiyis to the family and village

Hair henna makes me feel good

Getting back to the village and being immersed into nature, animals and new life has been helpful in getting perspective and recharging. It's getting hot here again and I am focusing my energy into planting and making a small garden in my apartment with verbena, basil, succulents, mint, geraniums and cactus while I also look for creative ways to teach. I keep reminding myself it's all the little things that matter and sometimes that's enough. I am using the mantra; "this experience is pertinent in my life". With a lot of gratitude for what I have here and now, I am fighting homesickness by talking with friends, trying something new, exercise, nature walks, journaling, dancing and yes, a new pair of impractical sandals, a guilty but much needed pleasure. Today I was invited to the village after class by a few of the women at the Association, I was served tea, fresh bread, olives, oil, fresh butter, nuts and given 3 pairs of sandals, a bracelet, earrings and sent home with fresh eggs and milk. This is what I love about Morocco, the hospitality and the humor Moroccan's can have. I need to remember just how lucky I am.