Ramadan Karim! The End is Near

17 or more hours of fasting makes me tired...

Wedding or event tent attached to mosque

Typical tent for wedding or memorial ceremonies 

Bagel making, American 'lftor' for Moroccans

We showed the Moroccans how we make breakfast in America
with volunteers, Art/Barb, Anna and Leslie

Beautiful sunset just as the call to prayer goes off

Moroccan pride, Midelt

Colorful changing evening fountain, Midelt

Yoga at Artisan's Center, Midelt

First Moroccan breakfast at home, Moroccan style

Typical Moroccan 'Lftor', breakfast

Hosting Moroccans with American volunteers, Leslie and Josh

Moroccan/American 'lftor' 

Mounaim gets his Bachlor in Computer Science

As Ramadan comes to a close, and nearly a month of no cheating fasting has been completed this year, it is nice to notice how very different from the last two years. I am ready for real food and have had my fill of breakfast for awhile. A typical day for me consists of waking up around 2pm, check email etc, read, watch a movie and on occasion, I need to get up early to run errands. Then I lay around some more as the weather is getting hotter and I have no energy... At 6pm, I go with my site mate (or eat alone) to break fast with a family in the community. Part of Ramadan is to help prepare the breakfast as it is a meditative ritual. I come home around 10pm, either teach yoga at 10:30pm for an hour, nap or watch tv, eat again before 4am, then sleep till 2pm and start it over again. The biggest challenge this year has been being what I call, 'hungrumpy'  beentween 5-7:30pm just before breaking fast. The weather in Midelt has been particularly pleasant with afternoon rain and a constant breeze, a far cry from the last few years in Marrakech with the oppressive heat. It has been interesting and fun to have many invites with the locals to experience different breakfasts and meet new people. All in all, I am proud of my abilities in fasting this year especially and also glad it is coming to a close. I look forward to continued work in my community and the nice weather following the next several months. "How beautiful it is to do nothing, and rest afterward.", Spanish proverb, appropriate for Ramadan. 

Voila! What a spread!

Back to Morocco and RAMADAN

A difficult re-entry into country with tampered luggage and Morocco bank card expired, but I finally made it home after four days. With little time to spare, friends and the community welcomed me back after my long journey. 'How is America and Obama?' they asked? 'Your family?' Tired and adjusting, I am happy to report that I have a month to re-adjust and get ready for the next year. I spent a nice time with Mounaim as he graciously met me in Casablanca and accompanied me to Rabat with my large bags. We went to the beach and managed to have some fun in the hectic travel time back to site just before Ramadan. Ramadan thus far has been a very different experience in the city. It comes alive after the breakfast and call to prayer and remains that way until the sun rises. I stay awake until 4:30am and sleep till 1:30pm. It's tough fasting but worth the ordeal as the Moroccan community is doing the same. It feels good to be so hungry and then full. A beautiful breakfast spread appears on the tables of the locals where I am invited and break fast with them. Boiled eggs, home-made donuts, breads and Moroccan pancakes, shabekia, tomato soup, fruit smoothie, pastries, coffee, tea and then a second meal later which is a meat and veggie tajine. I can never make it to that one because inevitably I am too full. A late night walk with friends, people watching, digesting food and getting sugar cane juice with lemon and ice cream is undoubtedly the best part of the night. One month and my life will get back to normal. For now, I am feeling empowered and enjoying my third year of Ramadan!

Goodbye until next year...

Iberia Air, American Air

Waiting on the other side

Love this photo, Rabat

Rabat beach

It's hot here

So tired...4 days of travel

Midelt bus from Meknes transfer my luggage waiting

First Ramadan meal, breakfast at home

AMERICA, 'Land Of Freedom'

The long journey...

Family awaits at Denver International Airport

All the waxy bloated fruit at the market

Time to downsize and clean out storage...

Morocco presentation

Estes Park, Gem Lake hike with Bill and Lisa

Bill and Lisa's visit

Downtown street faire, Louisville

What? Midelt, Morocco fossils in Colorado?

Yoga in the park, Louisville

Dizzy didn't forget me...

Flatirons

Bike ride to Lyons with Mitzi

Henna by Leah

Bike ride with Alisa and Linda

Fourth of July, Louisville

 Coming home party in the park

So many changes in just two years. It was good to be home...I have changed and it was interesting to see how different I have become. As I paced myself and was able to connect with many friends that I haven't seen in a few years. Those that I did see were so gracious and curious about my experiences. My journey in Morocco has taken me far and I am anxious to carry out this next year. Aside from technology which is different and what I would say is a slightly altered world for me stateside, I seem to have a clearer vision of how I want my life to be upon my return stateside. I was grateful to share my Morocco journey with those interested and hope to be the voice of other cultures someday. As things are fast paced in America, and many have little patience and limited time, I noticed my slow pace to be peaceful and satisfying. As a month flew by, it was just the right amount of time and I felt ready to get back to my home in Morocco.     

Busy Before Departure

As I have less than a week back to the states for a month long visit, I am keeping myself busy and wrapping up things and saying goodbye as friends and family here prepare for Ramadan in July.

Midelt Panaramic

Midelt from rooftop

Peace Corps Volunteer training in Midelt

On a rainy day

Lilou Gillia

Women working on djilabas atAssociation

Girls in jewelry class

Proud of their jewelry

'God, Country, King' on all mountains 

Midelt park

Peace

Sidewalk art

Beautiful roses in bloom at park

Another clown venue for kids at student's building