The Puzzle Pieces That Make Morocco

“Welcome, welcome! Where are you from? Please come in. Take a look, only student price here.” Oh the joys of being a tourist. After seeing a glimpse of the wonders that this country has to offer has been quite the experience thus far. From wandering the world famous “Blue City” to exploring the oldest medina in Morocco, I have been blown away by not only the physical beauty of the cities but of the rich culture that lies within. The culture here never stops filling its country with love and happiness, very similar to how the people incessantly fill your cup with more tea. The kindness in this country exceeds the amount of cats.

                This past week of teaching has been a great learning experience. With knowledge from past trips, it’s been a lot of help, but taking control and showing who’s boss still takes hard work.  So, I am not only proud of myself and my teaching partner but of everyone on this trip that has worked incredibly hard to be here and teach these eager children what they deserve to know. In an intermediate English class, my students have aspirations of being doctors and even teachers themselves, they want to learn English to succeed in a place where it’s hard not to follow the crowd. So, to be teaching them English makes me feel accomplished and relieved that they have the opportunity to learn another language. One student that stands out to me is a boy named Amine. He always goes out of his way to help kids around him that don’t understand, and is always asking for help and tries to do more than what is asked of him. And for that, I couldn’t be more grateful.

                Being able to see all these new cities has broadened my horizon. I have been able to see new sides of the country as opposed to our usual medina in Rabat. Chefchaouen also known as the “Blue City” full of blue doors, blue walls, and even blue stairs. A sight that you have to see to believe. Then the New York of Morocco, Fes. With 10,000 plus alleys of markets, residential areas and factories, home to the oldest university in the world which was founded by a woman.

                Going from a blue tinted city full of color not only in appearance but in feeling to a bustling medina in Fes, and finally back to our riad in Rabat feels like I’m coming home again. I think that once you experience what being a tourist is like for a couple of days, you get tired of carrying a camera at some point and you want to go back. Because of that, I am so excited to go back to the school and teach the kids English. A universal language that will help them thrive. To be able to witness that? Cause that? It’s beyond priceless to know that what you’re doing is going to help someone for the rest of their life.

                Viewing and learning about Chefchaouen’s beautiful color, Fes’ busy streets, and the excited voices of the students waiting for you to call on them. All these things have helped to motivate me to do my absolute best for the people here in Morocco.

               

Yay Morocco

Bonjour, Salam labes alik, Hola, and Hello are all greetings that can be heard all over the streets of Morocco. With perfect weather and bustling markets, Morocco is one like no other. And as time started to pass, and reality began to seep in, the signs and the buildings which varied in shape, style and condition blurred past us. When we first parked, I thought, “Oh we’re already here we don’t have to walk, blah, blah, blah.” Boy was I wrong. We crossed the street with unapologetic drivers in cars that zoomed by us. We then walked past decorative doors, down twists and turns and a plethora of cats in the alley ways. We dragged our bags behind us down stairs, onto gravel and finally into our cozy riad. We were soon to learn about the beautiful cuisine of Morocco. But before we could stuff our faces, we went for a walk in the rather sunny but temperate market. We then got to encounter the concrete diving pool that the local boys loved to spend their free time in.

                15 hours of sleep later, we got to explore more of the market and the rooftop of Ali, the manager of MCAS comfortably known as the organization that CGA works with here in Morocco’s office, with breathtaking view of the roofs, coast and markets. We were treated to a much needed Darija (Moroccan Arabic) lesson, from our translators Wi Am, Rim, Abeir, and Leila who embody the new Morocco. They bring a strong belief in women’s opinions, a new fashion, and more freedom of choice. While the new Morocco is slowly brought to the surface, the older traditions never fail in letting you feel at home. When you have to pleasure of attending one of your students home, the family takes you in as one of their own and brings you plates upon plates full of sweets, traditional dishes, and of course, tea, juice or milk, but still insist that what they are giving you couldn’t possibly be enough. They constantly keep pouring you tea, directing you towards the sweets, and invite you to listen as they tell you their story. When I arrived at the home of one of my students, Nada, her parents were quick to show how much love and support was in their home. That they wanted her to do whatever made her happy in her life. After a couple days we went to another one of my beloved students homes, Zineb, we admired how her mother made many decisions so that Zineb could be supported past age 14. Along with her husband who recites verses from the Quran.

                 The medina (an older closed off city, very much like a corn maze) screams unique. Since our arrival it has been quite the adventure to navigate the streets look at all the art, and the people that become parts of our memories. In the classroom, I soon fell back into the rhythm of teaching and the thrill of being able to teach them something they can use for the rest of their lives. My mom always says “Bring a homeless man a fish and he will eat for one day, teach a man how to fish and he will eat for a lifetime.” I have been blessed with the pleasure of getting to know the Moroccan culture along with its people. I couldn’t be more thankful for the time I have had here so far, and the times to come.