Meeting Hillary!

I spent the second to last week in February in Rabat with my fellow stage-mates in our close of service conference. Towards the end of the week, rumors started buzzing that Hillary Clinton was coming to Morocco and that some PCVs might even get to attend the event. After a very short sign up time, it was confirmed that about 60 of us would get to attend the event. Woo hoo.

On Sunday February 26th, we got dressed up and headed to the Embassy to hear Hillary speak. She was on her way back to the states after some meetings in North Africa (Algeria, Tunisia, ect) and stopped by Morocco to break ground on the new (and NEEDED) embassy complex. We were just lucky enough to be around and get invited. The crowd was small and it was extremely easy to see and understand her!

After a few hours of waiting, Hillary came and delivered a speech on the long standing unity between Morocco and the United States. Morocco was the very first country to recognize the United States, before we had even won the Revolutionary War in 1777. The speech was great, there were a few shout-outs to the Peace Corps and its work in Morocco, and even a group photo with some Moroccan and American kids who's parents work for the US Embassy and Peace Corps.

I was lucky enough to have moved to the front of the crowd just in time for her to walk the perimeter and shake my hand. It was really cool.

We spent the rest of the day relishing in the 'meeting Hillary' glow. It was a really cool experience and one I feel lucky to have had. 

Jancy, Scott and myself waiting to see Hillary.

Hannah came all the way up from the Souss to see Hillary.

Ambassador Kaplan, his wife and Hillary at the US Embassy in Morocco.

Luis and I waiting for Hillary inside the Embassy compound.

Our medical gal, Hanane and her adorable family!

Hillary walking around the crowd shaking hands.

Jancy, Sami and Nina with their 'meeting Hillary' afterglow.