Tuesday, April 17, 2012

All My Loving

This past weekend in Morocco was filled with Weddings, travel, great friends and COLD WEATHER!

The wedding my CBT in Ras El ma attended was great, admittedly I only attended day/night one and headed to the mountains for day 2 of the festivities. The wedding was amazing. The culture was a completely different experience than any other wedding I have ever attended. I do however think years spent with my wonderful Best Friend Susu did prepare me a little for the lavish festivities it was a little like some of the family celebrations I have attended with her. First on the Agenda was going to the Grooms family (The family of Lizzy one of my wonderful CBT Mates)house to have lunch of Couscous (the food so nice they named it twice), liver and Heart of cow (I think) and the cow head (NOPE I didn’t eat it) Everything I did eat was amazing. Next up was Bin Suda to celebrate with the Bride and mostly women of the families. The bride and Groom sat eerily still while a woman decorated the bride’s hands and feet with an Elaborate Henna decoration. Beautiful doesn’t even begin to describe the ornate and unique design that wound around the brides feet and hands. She sat there still, looking poised and ready for a life with the man that sat next to her. This part of the Wedding was Henna Day all of the women gathered for dancing, socialization and to honor the bride during her time of Joy. The hospitality here was the same theme of love, open arms and welcoming souls that is embedded in Moroccan Culture, something I will cherish forever. Cookies and tea were passed around as well as the notorious communal water cup. Women danced to the beat of what I can classify as Moroccan Music (I am still learning all of the styles of music) Hips moved, hands fluttered and love exuded from each person there. After this dance party we got in a car and went back to Ras El ma. Once back in Ras El Ma we headed straight to afternoon Tea! So good as usual. We had a new snack I had never seen which was cake with yogurt and sprinkles (SO GOOD) after this I jetted of with my friends to get ready for the big event of the night. After adorning myself with a beautiful Caftan I was ready to roll! And I looked Zwina! (Beautiful in Darija)I was looking quit Adele”ish” which is who people tell me I look like here in Morocco (obviously I like it ) My CBT mates and I headed down for Dinner and the rest of the celebration. We ate WEDDING CHICKEN I had merely heard rumors of this Moroccan delicacy and there it was soooo Good! I think I ate more there than I have since I arrived! I had a wonderful time laughing with my friends, my amazing host sister and the Groom even sat with us so it was a uniquely special evening I shared with some cool people. The final part of the night was spent watching dancers shake there hips and groove to the loudest music  I have ever heard ever in life… The men sat separate from the woman as we all looked on these dancers, the band and singers.

I honestly had the time of my life, The cultural celebration was beautiful and I really hate I missed day two. However, I would have never traded the time I spent in Azrou with my amazing new friends for a million weddings! I really look forward to spending some time with them again soon!!!

Until Next time,

As soon I was ready to post this blog we had a visit from some family and I was able to catch a moment between a daughter and father that I haven’t seen too often, it was a moment of love, respect, care and admiration so that being said this Blog post is dedicated to my Wonderful Dad! I love and care for him more than he knows! I can’t wait to have you in Morocco to see the wonderful cultural I have been living in. If it wasn’t for you I wouldn’t be here to be experiencing this! Thanks Dad for everything you have ever done I love you! “ and I’ll send all my loving to you”




Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Day Something.....

Its been almost 3 weeks since I have arrived in Morocco and it already feels like I’ve been here my whole life. The people of Morocco are the most welcoming and hospitable of people. I never feel like a stranger. I am in a small town outside of Fes doing my home stay and training. God has really blessed me with a very amazing home stay family. I have two Moms here they are actually family not married but it is like having two moms! I also have a sister she is 11 and amazing. She study’s English every night so that one day she will be able to go to University in America… Ya’ll should see her there because this girl is one dedicated student! She has a goal and she will achieve it!

Ras Elma is a very small village of about 2,050 people. The mountain views are incredible! The entire situation here is incredible; from the view to the people and the laidback atmosphere it is all amazing. I have been hitting the Language pretty hard with my LCF (Language and Cultural facilitator) and my CBT (Community Based training) Mates! I am sharing this wonderful town with some pretty incredible people from all walks of life. There is Lauren, Lizzy, Emily, Carly and Evan. We are learning a lot and bonding in ways I would never had expected. I know the next 8 or so weeks with them will be amazing.

Soooo down to the nitty gritty! Yes I use a Turkish Toilet here and take a bucket bath!!! I have honestly embraced it. I love knowing I am not wasting water and not polluting the ground. I have half hand washed my own clothes and used a hand vacuum! I walk all over town and take a cab filled to the max with people when I need to go to “town” (Fes). I love 100% everything about this lifestyle! I have encountered a few cultural divides but I am learning that I do not always have to like I just need to accept there are things that happen in the world I can never change. I am continuing to learn daily to just focus on the things I can do and leave the rest to God! I have started the Spring camp in my town at the Dar Chabab (Youth House) we are at this point starting day 3 tomorrow (April 10th) The focus is on Time and Numbers, two lessons which will be done by two of my CBT Site Mates Lauren and Evan. I will be doing a lesson Wednesday on Animals! We will have a huge scavenger hunt Wednesday as well followed by Thursdays Carnival!! We will do all of this while continuing to have language classes so by Friday (wedding day!!!!!) I will be ready to crash. I highly doubt that will be happening, Friday we have the Wedding Lunch at a house in town then that will start the weekend. I will be heading to Azrou a mountain town with some volunteers in other site for the weekend.

I truly miss all of my friends and family!! Since being here in Morocco (3 weeks today I just calculated) I have made some friendships and established Bonds with people who I never would have thought! I have meet and befriended some amazing people! I cannot wait to spend the next two years getting to know them! I could not have made it through the training in Rabat without them much less the next two years! I am also happy to report that Morocco LOVES L.O.V.E.S comfort! I am talking track suits everywhere!! My first Kitma (Darija for Tracksuit) is a Black and Gold number made by “ADAIDAS” when I put it on I immediately become a member of Run DMC! It’s packed away for now but I will be wearing it all around Morocco in the months to come! For those of you who know me pretty well know that I am an actual Ninja and FYI I have meet some fellow Ninjas in Peace Corps! They even have Clemson Fans here!! (LOL) SO far no one is a NASCAR fan! (Surprised??)

Well its almost Mid-night and I am super tired!! Love to you all I miss you with all of my heart! I know I will see some of you here in the future! There will be more updates to come but I leave you all with this for now!!

“Blessed are the Peacemakers: for they shall be called the Children of God”  Matthew 5:9 (KJV)