Women's Empowerment Day & Midelt Projects

Peace Corps volunteers come together

 Boumia, Women's Association 

Making a difference

Yoga and fun, Boumia

Chain of expression, Boumia

Girls basketball, Midelt

Late February, I particpated in a day's event in a village close to Midelt called, 'Boumia' where another Peace Corps volunteer lives and works. It was based on women's empowerment activities and working in conjunction with the local Women's Association to open discussion on sexual harassment and problems that women face in communities and what can be done to stop it. I had the chance to introduce yoga and meditation as a guide in healing and have some fun too. In addition, I was invited by the ministry of health and sports in Midelt to participate in aerobics and stretching for the local basketball team. 

March Bike Tour

Marrakech Airport, meeting guests

Bivouac, Zagora

Windy Sahara

Drivers, Rachid and Brahim

Ich Ben Haddou, Ouarzazate

Ich Ben Haddou

Artist in Ouarzazate

Ich Ben Haddou resident kids

Tiz n Tichka Pass

View from the route

Ouirgane

Gloui Castle, Ouirgane

Hotel in Ouirgane

Dancing at Argan coop

Guide in Essaouia

Women in Essa

Essa dog

Making tajine with drivers in Essa

Marrakech women

Essaouira coast

Marrakech Garden

Visit In Fes

Cafe Clock, Fes

'Feefla Harra', hot peppers

Local man and his donkey

Donna and tannery

Local man on roof

In front of Mosque, Fes

Tannery purses

Medina, Fes old purses

Eggs in medina for sale

Donna and me inside carpet and scarf store

Inside medina looking over the tannery

Local cat lady in medina

Inside carpet shop

We met up with another Peace Corps volunteer

Cats on top of hanut, owner feeds them

Just before COS in Rabat, Donna and I visited Fes to meet up with Vicky, my friend from Lafayette, Colorado. It was so nice to see a familiar face from the states. Vicky and her friend, Jane, visited Morocco for a few days seeing both Marrakech and Fes. We showed them around and attended a tour of the windy medina in Fes. As the sights and smells loured them in, I was able to describe my experience and give them more details on Moroccan culture and traditions. It rained, but it didn't stop us from going out. We saw the great tanneries and medina, stopping more than once at Cafe Clock which was a pleasant and delicious experience.    

Close Of Peace Corps Service and More

Last health and environment staj, Morocco 2011-2013

Cat in medina

Clean bill of health, teeth

Staj mates celebrating

Leslie, site mate in Midelt

Friend, PCV, Maggie from Itzer and her new puppy, 'Suksu'

On a warm day for a walk in Midelt

Woman's and girls Empowerment and Yoga Seminar, Boumia

 Hiru snuggling

The past several weeks have been busy and full of activities, the main one being, 'Close Of Service' for those going home in my staj, both health and environment sectors serving as Peace Corps volunteers from 2011-2013. We spent a week in Rabat attending meetings and taking care of medical requirements in order to leave Morocco. I was glad to see friends that I most likely won't see again and am glad the festivities are over. Out of nearly 54 volunteers, four have been invited to continue serving a third year, myself included. I am looking forward to returning back to the states for the first time since I left 27 months ago. Things look promising for my return this late Spring. I was anxious to get back to my site in Midelt where I started work and a schedule and have still been unpacking. As things continue to move forward,  I have been dealing with several apartment problems with electricity, water and broken items while I am getting things set up for a more normal living environment. My apartment is older than the previous one. Two of the most recent activities have been with 'International Women's Day', participating in a day long 'Sexual Harassment' and 'Yoga' expo in a village close by called, 'Boumia' and with the local  'Netti Neswi' and their health week and many events one which I participated was aerobics and basketball. I am getting used to having people around me more frequently and have finally enjoyed some time alone.