Rabat, It's Moroccan Heaven

Plainly put, Rabat feels like heaven.

It has clean streets, great food, cold beers and a fully functional light rail system, all without ever getting my passport stamped. I came up here with a pretty select group of folks for our Mid-Service medical exams and it's been pretty great. We have enlightening conversations about volunteering, development and future life plans. We drink beer. We speak English. We visit the library.

There is not much about this trip that hasn't been great.

Tomorrow we head to Agadir to embark on our new regional meetings with our new regional coordinators (since our programs are getting canceled and PC is trying to restructure). Agadir isn't a half-bad destination either. There is a large beach, a supermarket with cheese and a McDonalds on the waterfront.

Only a few more weeks then Gnaoua music festival in Essa, my co-op building's grand opening, the town festival and two friends coming to visit. Only 2 more months until a vacation to Spain. Time is flying, for now anyway.

Oh yeah, the fire is back. Back in full force and ready to conquer.

Back in Action.

This transition back to Morocco has been considerably easier than the last one (in March, after my grandfather's funeral). I am sure it's probably a combination of self-preparation and willpower, but it just seems easier this time, the end seems closer. I am 15 months in with only 11 to go (or 333 days according to The Rolling Gypsies blog). I feel like I am on the downhill slope. The hardest things have passed and life seems normal. I no longer struggle with the language, the culture or the act of living. I finally feel "comfortable". While this feeling of comfort is a little hard for me to swallow, I am in peace with it.

I feel good about the next 11 months and there is a great deal of stuff I want to/ need to get done. The biggest focus this summer and fall will be getting grad school/law school things situated. So far, I feel prepared. I know where I am applying. My resume is done (mostly) and now I need to focus on the personal statement!

In Moroccan news, our new cooperative building will be opening soon, then we have a big town festival in July, then Ramadan and the opening of the Women's center in town. I am hoping to get started grant writing to get some materials to really get our women's center open and kicking. The commune also approached me about a possible trash project, so we will see where that goes.

In regards to security, I feel safe. I know that there has been a lot of news updates about the "Arab Spring" and Morocco's involvement in it. The man (men) who detonated the bomb in Marrakech have been caught and the government is being patient with the protesters for now (but probably not for much longer). The unrest hasn't reached the village and seems worlds away. My village is safe and I feel secure. For those worried, it's okay. If the situation gets worse, I will let you know but for now, all is well.

Today I came into Tiznit to grab a calzone with Sarah-Kate and this week will be preparation for Mid Service Medicals in Rabat and then our regional meetings in Agadir next week. August and vacation time will be here before we know it!


This is a photo of some of the Argan Oil my cooperative produces.

Morocco!

After 29 hours of travel, three airplanes, a car ride, a city bus, four separate cabs and a 7 hour layover in Charlotte (thanks US Airways) I am finally back in Morocco. Once I paid the cab driver to drop my bags off at my front door, I crashed and slept for a solid 12 hours. It was much needed and deserved because my seat on the plane didn't recline, making sleeping difficult to say the least.

I am relieved to be back and happy to see everyone. Monday morning (I got back Sunday night) I headed up to market, got my mail which included my new SIM card and a package from the Gleason Family. I then bought about 6 kilos of vegetables, some milk and headed back to my house, spending the rest of the day cleaning, unpacking and begging for water.

My ladies finally showed up Monday afternoon to deliver me water and all was well.

Today (Tuesday) I headed to Agadir for a meeting this evening with some fellow American Ex-pats, Peace Corps volunteers and the Ambassador to talk about security issues in Morocco.

Also, I came to the realization that this is the longest I have spent in one place since moving out of my childhood home nearly 7 years ago. I think part of my restlessness has to do with the fact that I am not used to being somewhere so long and after a while, it can get boring. Just a thought I wanted to share!

Will update with more information/ posts later!

Thanks for the well wishes and send me a card.

The night before.

This "night before" feels a lot like the first one nearly 15 months ago, only a let less freaking out. I am sad to leave, anxious to get back and trying to mentally prepare myself for "life" in Morocco. There are a lot of "stressors" in Morocco that don't even register on American's minds. Things as simple as finding transport, traveling long distances with luggage, finding lunch and interacting are stressful, extremely stressful. I am spending tonight trying to psych myself up for the pending challenges. In a few weeks (or days) it will all be back to normal and my routine will fall back into place, but for now I am anxious, extremely anxious.

America was great, to say the least. I have heard from a lot of other volunteers that they didn't like coming home and by the end they were ready to get back, this is not me. Not that I don't love Morocco, because I do, I just forgot what life was like in America. We have it pretty freaking good.

I am going to miss beer on tap and English. It really is the little things in life. Most of all, I will miss the grass.

It has been an eventful couple of weeks including a graduation, a party, a funeral, a trip to Columbia, a visit from my favorite Coloradoan (?) a fishing adventure and lots and lots of lunches/dinners with family and friends. I am grateful for every minute I had at home and the reality is only 11 more months until I am back at home, for good. I made it the first 15 so what's another 11 months, right? At least that's what I keep telling myself.

Let round two of my Moroccan adventure begin. More projects, more activities, more travel and in general a better and more exciting version of Morocco part 1.

Too much fun? What does that mean?

Life in America has been great. I have loved my vacation, so here is a photo based post :)


Oh Danielle!


And... I got to see Kelley!


We ran into old friends at the bar.


Brittany, Mallory and I went to the bar!



Mother's Day lunch at That One Place. Also, my Mom got a new bag!




My Dad's famous Saturday morning breakfast!



Claire's graduation from Mizzou.


The wonderful Carrie Barker came into town to see us!



Claire's graduation party at my home.



My family went to a benefit dinner for the Adoption Exchange. My Mom presented and we got to dress up nicely.