Hub Training Expereince

'Hub' is the main gathering place where the Peace Corps volunteers and staff come together for mass training. This includes one hotel of environment volunteers which consists of 24 people total with 4 groups of 5 that live in different villages when we aren't together for individual training with Arabic dialects and group projects which are to prepare us for our main stay later on. The other hotel is for health volunteers (about 36) which is about a 10 minute walk from our hotel. The training at Hub is based on our small group assignments, further technical language training and evenings off to run around for personal items, relax and further integrate. It's always a treat to meet up with the whole group after a few weeks of intense training. It's a chance to shower, get decent rest, laugh and have a little fun in between. I have managed to hit the Patissere for yummy decadent treats such as pistachio ice cream and bon bons. The square is filled with shops galore and is hectic particularly at night. Bargaining is crucial in Morocco and requires lots of work in order to get a fair price. Today, there is a festival on the square and the weather is beautiful. I purchased 2 beautiful hand made blouses and a pair of pants today.

Lost In Translation

Final site visit was great and I am thankful to have a site mate. I am located in a very beautiful green farming area close to the Atlas which is noted for its olive trees and appears to be fairly clean and includes paved roads, clean water and electricity. The Mountain region and barrage are remarkably similar to the Rocky Mountains as I imagined. It

is modern and quite spread out with an approximate population of 10,000 people. Everyone is very gracious and excited about our presence in the village. We are lucky to have several Associations that are organized and open to our help. With the difficult and lack of language at this point, it creates communication gaps which then generates a major loss in translation. I have managed to communicate what is necessary and there is a lot of laughing between myself and my host sisters. One of the most challenging things lost in translation are the things we know or understand or think are funny are not understood by Moroccans. I am finding that Peace Corps has a very special name in Morocco. I was asked on the bus by tourists why I chose the Peace Corps path on a personal level. Reflecting on it, I am realizing that this question is deep and is a process in understanding further. I am learning a lot and faced with challenges that seem out of reach. Although my project and work in Morocco is unclear, I am confident that in time it will develop and relationships will grow. I am utilizing training and trying to find a rhythm that will help me come into balance as everything is new and overwhelming. I am looking forward to successfully completing my training by the end of May and starting my new journey as a full fledged Peace Corps volunteer.

Week With Host Family

A typical week spent with my homestay family starts with language until lunch, and resuming with a community activity with our village regarding the environment. I sometimes get a chance to get away and walk to my favorite spot under a tree at the mountain (jbel), where I can see my village and contemplate. Mostly my head is filled with new words, vocabulary and some 80 verbs that I am trying to memorize. This week’s experience like most come with fun, frustration and feeling very overwhelmed. I have noticed I am a lot more tired and don’t have much alone time or even time to rest. But know, I am taking great care of myself. The days are long between school and family/community integration. The meals are spread between prayers and mostly good. I mostly get up around 7am, have a few minutes to get ready for my day, go to school after breakfast around 8am and sometimes get yoga in with another volunteer or study a little. After school, I like to walk to the hill to watch the sunset before study time which starts somewhere around 7:30pm and dinner about 10:30 or later, and can study in-between. Everyone gets up early and go to bed late. They also eat throughout the day. As we pass locals in town we get invited in for tea/coffee and bread or pastries and sometimes nuts and olives which are harder to come by. I am generally reminded that I need to eat more as residents say, “coolie, coolie”. My bedroom is filled with post-its and note cards which helps push me to study. I was able to communicate my birthday and my host family and they made me a special dinner which I couldn’t determine at the time, but later found out it was cows face, gross! I couldn’t stomach more than 2 bites and I can honestly say that it wasn’t horrible but rather the texture was disturbing. I received a gift, (caddo) which is a framed picture drawn by someone in my village. My classmates made me a chocolate banana smoothie and we danced to, ‘The Beatles’, "Birthday”. .. It was a good time had by all.

Souk and Casbah

The casbah in

Ouarzazate is remarkable.

The architechure is simple and appears very stable.

Although I am still

learning about the

history of the casbah,

it was good to finally see. One of my favorite things to see

were the artists painting the

structure in watercolor and fine the structure in inked pen. The local souk markets are wonderful in a sense that they are beautiful with color. The fruits and vegis are fresh and abundant here. I am still trying to get used to live animals being killed. My bargaining skills are improving. The cost for tomatoes and oranges are approximately 45 cents. The onions are more expensive. Who knew?

Meshi Mushkil

'Meshi Mushkil' is the arabic phrase for, "no problem". I continually remind myself that this process is no problem as I am facing difficulties and beauty each day. I call it kbir or big mushkil, which the Moroccan's appreciate or think it's somewhat humorous. The most challenging part of the community based training is the language barrier. My instructor is wonderful and I am learning so much everday. I went to a atisian exhibition recently and was an amazing bonding expereince with the nomadic women. I am getting more comfortable with the village and my family and the local community. I am learning the proper way to wash my clothes, dishes, cook, shop at the hanut, and bargain. It's all hard work but worth the effort put forth. Most Moroccan's love to eat, they love sugar in general, entertaining guests, they pray often and generally enjoy a simple life. I made my host family an american style cilantro chicken pizza, which they seemed to like, but the banana smoothie wasn't as much of a hit as it wasn't quite sweet enough.

Shiwab-Shiwa

'Shiwab-Shiwa' in arabic means 'little by little'. This is what I keep telling my host family as I am learning Darija arabic while they are teaching me everything they know. I love my host family, they are very accaepting and loving. The terrain, infostructure, and amazing moroccan cuisine is very special here. The language and training is aggressive and I am enjoying the challenges that face me. Moroccan's are extemely friendly and welcoming people. Greetings are important while having tea and bread in people's homes is also popular. I enjoy the animals that roam free, the calls to prayer and the differences between cultures. There is so much expereince and share.

Je Vais Au Moroc!

A good friend leaves me with this: "Leap.....and the net will appear." I can tell you at this moment I feel peaceful and ready. Thank you all for the magnitude of loving support.

Je vais au Moroc Dimanche pour traville avec le a Peace Corps. Quand j' arrive a Rabat pour trois mois d'entrinement. J'habiterai en famille pour apprend francais, l'Arabic et les traditions Berberes. Je suis impatiente de voir les montagnes Atlas, la Mediterraneen, le Sarhara et de manger la cuisine Marocaine. (I am going to Morocco Sunday for work with the Peace Corps. I arrive in Rabat for 3 months of training. I will live with a family to learn French, Arabic and the traditions of the Berbers. I am looking forward to seeing the Atlas mountains, the Mediterranean, the Sahara, and eating the Moroccan cuisine.)