a taste of africa

mis amigos y famila genail!
where to even begin? to be honest, i am still sorting out my moroccan adventure and all the thought-provoking experiences that have left their mark on my young self. i guess i will start with the basics: 1. i went to Morocco with a program started by a peace corps volunteer for 4 days with 13 other students. 2. i literally had NO idea what to expect. (i only had dreams of eating thanksgiving stuffing while riding a camel...and hey, part of it came true!) 3. Morocco may be on my favorite places i have even visited.

morocco is unlike any other place i have traveled. for starters, the country is primarily Musilum, they have a King who makes the majority of their national and international decisions, and it is pretty darn removed from the Western world--and it is only 8 miles away from southern spain! that being said, i don't think i've ever felt more welcomed or constantly curious in a new place. my first true encounter with a local in Tanger (northern city, on the mediterranean) was with an older man sitting on the side of the road selling a mound of leafy vegetables. as usual, i couldn't help myself--i had to ask if i could take a photo... when i pointed to my camera and smiled the man brilliantly smiled back, slowly stood up, and motioned that he wanted to be in the photo with me. definitely surprised, and not so sure what to do, i handed my camera to my friend Shannon and stood side by side with a stranger who has known a life i can never truly comprehend. after taking the picture the man shook my hand, looked me strait in the eyes, and said in arabic "may you be blessed in you travels." this same openness and genuine generosity was the perfect opener to a trip that embodied this man's gesture.



the city of Tanger is quite beautiful in it's own way. the ancient city (and quite the international hub) is sprinkled by palm trees and old squares full of all ages enjoying the mild climate. i spent the majority of time here at the local women's center designed to give women a safe-haven and provide literacy education as well as functional knowledge for future work oportunites. here we got to talk to local students about everything from religion, to dating in morocco. plus, i got a taste of my first real, authentic moroccan food. i'm not sure i can explain the deliciousness that rocked my tastebuds: cous cous with veggies and chicken, served alongside classic mint tea.

next, we were Rabat bound (the capital of Morocco) to get settled in with our host families and explore one of the major cities of this dynamic country. but first: some stops had to be made. first big surprise was the camel ride--i'm not gonna lie, i was ecstatic. although i literally almost took a nose dive into the sand when my camel awkwardly stood up (and i even more awkwardly held on for dear life) it was a moment of pure: i'm in africa and riding a camel along the ocean--life is pretty sweet. i was still on a high from my camel encounter when we stopped in a little, artsy town built along the coast.





obviously, i went a little picture crazy. this place is just so picturesque...
after some more driving along lush, green countryside (not at all what i envisioned morocco to be) we made it to Rabat. upon arrival we were divided up to meet our host families and go back to their homes for dinner. two other california girls and i ended up with an adorable couple and rambunctious son in their traditional home built with a courtyard in the middle (made for an interesting sight when it rained...in the middle of the home!)
sooo, Rabat. pictures speak better than words sometimes:

one of the main markets full of handmade scarfs, traditional wood carvings, roasted nuts and goodies sold everywhere, and never ending things to look at. i could have con insane with all the goods...

so i gave in to my scarf addiction. this is a typical little shop...the longer you spend in there, the more treasures you will find--fact.

doorway on the walk to my home stay family. it may be silly, but i have a deep connection to the number 18--soccer number and life lucky number. haha hence, where there is an '18' there is a picture :)

here is the outside of the public gardens (once the private garden of the king)

maybe one of my favorite parts of the trip was getting to hang out and see the city through the eyes of a couple locals, "Abs" (real name Abdelmounim...so, Abs-myster it was) and Yassi. such interesting discussions about the moroccan/algerian conflict, terrorism, and rap music (i did my best) were covered while walking through ancient markets and over moroccan tea.

day adventures:

old ruins from various empires including the romans. on top of the tower various storks chill out.

maybe the oldest mosque, possibly the only mosque i will ever be able to step into.

wild poinsettia--reminds me of my madre :) get to spain already!!!

this was once the construction project of the first king of morocco...after his death the project was never finished.
now that i've gone on for a tad too long, i'll leave you with two quotes that defined my trip.

"we must be brave enough to meet the other"
one of the guys in rabat said this during one of our discussions and it stuck with me throughout the trip. as much as i believe all humans are more alike than different, and the more i travel the more i see the similarities than the differences, there is no denying that there are many differences that separate us all. i'd be lying if i said i wasn't nervous about going to a primarily muslim country where women have a distinct role and the culture is like nothing i had ever experienced. but, meeting these moroccans, sharing stories, and hearing their perspective on the world was one of the most valuable experiences of my time abroad.

"don't ask yourself what the world needs,
ask yourself what makes you come alive,
and then go do that.
because what the world needs is people who have come alive."
my new favorite quote and one i truly believe in. this trip made me come alive in a new way...i'm still figuring out how this is going to play a role in my future, but the spark was there. peace corps? full bright? teach for america? travel in the dessert on a camel? we shall see :)