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 10^th) 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)