I left Morocco on May 8th.
It's nice to be home, here in Seattle, where my family and friends are. But I left a part of me in Morocco. I was only there for four weeks; not a very long time. Long enough, however, to know that the experiences I had and the friends I made will always be with me.
I would urge anyone who might be thinking about doing what I did to really give it serious consideration. If you decide to give it a try, I can tell you that it will enrich your life greatly. You will come to realize, as I did, that this world is really not all that big, and the people you will meet are really not all that different.
Thanks again to everyone who supported me and followed me to Morocco. It was a fantastic adventure.
Dave
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Thursday, May 6, 2010
It's a bittersweet time
Tomorrow is my last day in Morocco.
When i decided to come here, I had little idea about Morocco or Moroccans. It was just a distant country on the northern tip of Africa, somewhat mysterious, with a touch of romanticism.
Now that I've been here for 4 weeks, it's still has that bit of mystery & romanticism about it, but i've learned so much more. It's a beautiful country full of wonder; from the ocean to the desert: Rabat, where the French colonial influence is still very evident; Marrakech, what a magical place is Marrakech; Fes, the City of Faith and Learning, with it's many styles of minarets and beautiful Mosques; and the mighty Sahara Desert, with its silent beauty, especially as the sun is setting.
But of all the sights and sounds of Morocco, it's the Moroccan people that are the most fantastic. There are no more friendly and helpful people anywhere in the world. Moreover, they are justifiably proud of their culture (and eager to tell you about it), fiercely proud of their Berber heritage, and unshakable in their faith in Islam.
I came here as a volunteer to teach English. Only time will tell if what I was able to teach is a help. I thought it would be easy! Pretty foolish thought. Thank God for the internet and the resource library here at the home-base. I think I've learned more about English grammar in the past 4 weeks than I ever knew before. It was tough, and it was sometimes embarrassing, but nonetheless it was an enriching experience that I will always believe was worthwhile. It has made an impact on my life and given me a deep sense of satisfaction and fulfillment.
However, the most important thing, the most wonderful thing, that I will bring home with me are the friends I've made: Ali, Mourad, Youness, Otman, Bilal, and Rachid. Young Moroccans full of life, laughter, ambition and faith. I will so miss going to the cafe with them after class, drinking VERY strong Moroccan coffee, talking and laughing (always much laughter) about anything and everything: politics, religion, globalization, the environment, music, cars, motorcycles, girls. And the arguments we've had!! These folks were not shy about challenging me on US Foreign Policy and our military campaigns in the middle east. They definitely have strong opinions. But when we leave the cafe we shake hands, touch our hearts and say "see you tomorrow, Inchalla" They have impacted my life in a way that I can never adequately express. May God, in His Greatness, look after them and grant them peace and happiness always. Inchalla.
I sincerely hope that at some point in each of your lives some of you find yourself where I am now. It's not an easy thing to leave ones comfort zone and go off to a different place, where the language and culture is so different. But if you do it, you will be surprised and pleased at how it changes and enriches your life forever. It has mine.
Thank you all for your support on this journey of mine. It might have a bit crazy, but oh so worth it.
I look forward to being home next week.
Inchalla
Dave
When i decided to come here, I had little idea about Morocco or Moroccans. It was just a distant country on the northern tip of Africa, somewhat mysterious, with a touch of romanticism.
Now that I've been here for 4 weeks, it's still has that bit of mystery & romanticism about it, but i've learned so much more. It's a beautiful country full of wonder; from the ocean to the desert: Rabat, where the French colonial influence is still very evident; Marrakech, what a magical place is Marrakech; Fes, the City of Faith and Learning, with it's many styles of minarets and beautiful Mosques; and the mighty Sahara Desert, with its silent beauty, especially as the sun is setting.
But of all the sights and sounds of Morocco, it's the Moroccan people that are the most fantastic. There are no more friendly and helpful people anywhere in the world. Moreover, they are justifiably proud of their culture (and eager to tell you about it), fiercely proud of their Berber heritage, and unshakable in their faith in Islam.
I came here as a volunteer to teach English. Only time will tell if what I was able to teach is a help. I thought it would be easy! Pretty foolish thought. Thank God for the internet and the resource library here at the home-base. I think I've learned more about English grammar in the past 4 weeks than I ever knew before. It was tough, and it was sometimes embarrassing, but nonetheless it was an enriching experience that I will always believe was worthwhile. It has made an impact on my life and given me a deep sense of satisfaction and fulfillment.
However, the most important thing, the most wonderful thing, that I will bring home with me are the friends I've made: Ali, Mourad, Youness, Otman, Bilal, and Rachid. Young Moroccans full of life, laughter, ambition and faith. I will so miss going to the cafe with them after class, drinking VERY strong Moroccan coffee, talking and laughing (always much laughter) about anything and everything: politics, religion, globalization, the environment, music, cars, motorcycles, girls. And the arguments we've had!! These folks were not shy about challenging me on US Foreign Policy and our military campaigns in the middle east. They definitely have strong opinions. But when we leave the cafe we shake hands, touch our hearts and say "see you tomorrow, Inchalla" They have impacted my life in a way that I can never adequately express. May God, in His Greatness, look after them and grant them peace and happiness always. Inchalla.
I sincerely hope that at some point in each of your lives some of you find yourself where I am now. It's not an easy thing to leave ones comfort zone and go off to a different place, where the language and culture is so different. But if you do it, you will be surprised and pleased at how it changes and enriches your life forever. It has mine.
Thank you all for your support on this journey of mine. It might have a bit crazy, but oh so worth it.
I look forward to being home next week.
Inchalla
Dave
Monday, May 3, 2010
The Marrakech Express
Went to Marrakech Friday. What a place! My description below doesn't begin to really describe what it is like. I'll post some photos tomorrow.
Marrakech has to be one of the most interesting cities in all the world. Unbelievable traffic; a huge public square in the middle of one of largest & most confusing Medinas in Morocco, full of food stalls, souks, donkeys, monkeys, motorbikes, snake (cobras) charmers, hustlers, musicians, and pickpockets. It's intimidating, it's amazing, and leaves you wanting to return again and again.
I went there with a group of 5 other volunteers. We went from Rabat to Marrakech by train - a 4 hour trip in a compartment where the AC worked only some of the time!
When we arrived we took a van provided by our Riad (guest house) to the Medina. Once there, we walked through a maze of narrow alleys and passage-ways filled with people, donkeys, cats, and motorbikes until we came to the entrance to the Riad. Open the door and you enter another world, one of calm tranquility. The Riad was about middle of the road in quality and cost; but the hospitality was priceless.
We dropped off our bags, had tea on the roof-top terrace, then ventured out to the Djemaa el Fina, a huge cobble-stoned square that at night is an amazing carnival of musicians, street entertainers, food stall hustlers (they literally grab you and try to pull you into their food tent) and hundreds of people. During the day, it's filled with snake charmers, souk merchants hawking their wares, more hustlers, pickpockets (you learn to walk around with your wallet in your front pocket and your hand on it at ALL times) and more people. It's not a place to go if you're looking for touristy peace and quiet! But it is THE PLACE to go if you want to experience the real Morocco.
After the dizzying experience of Marrakech, it was time to head to the sea-side town of Essaouria, to relax and decompress. Essaouira is a 3 hour bus ride SW of Marrakech. It's a laid-back town usually filled with tourists, and Moroccans escaping the heat of the interior for the weekend. But it's also probably the windiest town in all of Africa. Great if you like to wind-surf, not so great if you just want to sit on the beach. One of our group anchored their beach towel in the sand and went into the water. When she came back she couldn't find the towel - it was completely covered with sand.
The hotel we stayed at was in the middle of the Medina, but unlike Marrakech, it was very easy to find. The rooms are cheap (about $40/night) but surprisingly clean & comfortable. Although they don't supply towels, soap, or a shower curtain (you use the bathroom door). Luckily you can buy soap & a towel in the Medina for about $1.50 - if you're good at haggling. A skill we have all mastered (or we think we have anyway).
On Sunday we pile back onto the bus for the ride back to Marrakech and the train to Rabat. This time the AC works the whole way; but the train is delayed an hour. We finally make it to the home base at 12:00 AM, tired, but awed by the experience.
I'd do it again in a heart-beat.
Marrakech has to be one of the most interesting cities in all the world. Unbelievable traffic; a huge public square in the middle of one of largest & most confusing Medinas in Morocco, full of food stalls, souks, donkeys, monkeys, motorbikes, snake (cobras) charmers, hustlers, musicians, and pickpockets. It's intimidating, it's amazing, and leaves you wanting to return again and again.
I went there with a group of 5 other volunteers. We went from Rabat to Marrakech by train - a 4 hour trip in a compartment where the AC worked only some of the time!
When we arrived we took a van provided by our Riad (guest house) to the Medina. Once there, we walked through a maze of narrow alleys and passage-ways filled with people, donkeys, cats, and motorbikes until we came to the entrance to the Riad. Open the door and you enter another world, one of calm tranquility. The Riad was about middle of the road in quality and cost; but the hospitality was priceless.
We dropped off our bags, had tea on the roof-top terrace, then ventured out to the Djemaa el Fina, a huge cobble-stoned square that at night is an amazing carnival of musicians, street entertainers, food stall hustlers (they literally grab you and try to pull you into their food tent) and hundreds of people. During the day, it's filled with snake charmers, souk merchants hawking their wares, more hustlers, pickpockets (you learn to walk around with your wallet in your front pocket and your hand on it at ALL times) and more people. It's not a place to go if you're looking for touristy peace and quiet! But it is THE PLACE to go if you want to experience the real Morocco.
After the dizzying experience of Marrakech, it was time to head to the sea-side town of Essaouria, to relax and decompress. Essaouira is a 3 hour bus ride SW of Marrakech. It's a laid-back town usually filled with tourists, and Moroccans escaping the heat of the interior for the weekend. But it's also probably the windiest town in all of Africa. Great if you like to wind-surf, not so great if you just want to sit on the beach. One of our group anchored their beach towel in the sand and went into the water. When she came back she couldn't find the towel - it was completely covered with sand.
The hotel we stayed at was in the middle of the Medina, but unlike Marrakech, it was very easy to find. The rooms are cheap (about $40/night) but surprisingly clean & comfortable. Although they don't supply towels, soap, or a shower curtain (you use the bathroom door). Luckily you can buy soap & a towel in the Medina for about $1.50 - if you're good at haggling. A skill we have all mastered (or we think we have anyway).
On Sunday we pile back onto the bus for the ride back to Marrakech and the train to Rabat. This time the AC works the whole way; but the train is delayed an hour. We finally make it to the home base at 12:00 AM, tired, but awed by the experience.
I'd do it again in a heart-beat.
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