I have been in Morocco for one year now. I haven't posted for several months but my friend reminded me yesterday that I do actually have a blog when he asked for the address, so I should probably post something to commemorate the last year.
I am on a train to Rabat for the second time this month, I have traveled for around 50 hours since the end of last month. A new group of volunteers arrived in Morocco a couple months ago, and I am presenting to them about the Gender and Development committee with another volunteer.
Work here is excellent. I finally have an active aerobic/ exercise group, and I hope to also have health and nutrition activities with the women and girls that attend. They are very enthusiastic about exercise, and they make me laugh every time we have class. I have around 80 English students every week, ranging in age from 12-60ish. I teach more women than boys. I really enjoy ESL.
Homesickness doesn't go away, it just changes. When we passed a country road with a cow on it this morning of course it made me think of my home and it made me miss Wyoming cows. I never thought I would miss cows from Wyoming. But then I saw a herd of camels and was reminded that I do indeed live in Morocco.
So in the past year, I have learned:
Showers aren't really that important but a hot one is to be embraced like you are in a Pantene commercial.
Flour tortillas are easy to make.
You can consist on a diet of lentils, yogurt, and popcorn.
Lying is okay if someone asks you what your religion is or if they want you to stay at their house.
Past perfect progressive: I had been dying to go running in a t-shirt and shorts.
British people spell english words differently than we do.
It's really fun to say "Bsssha???" (is that true?) after everything someone says.
I am really good at spending time alone ( I am an introvert).
I am really bad at spending time alone (I am not that much of an introvert).
I do not become fluent in a language after living in a country for a year.
McDonald's burgers ARE delicious.
I am experiencing everything that I hoped for.
I am on a train to Rabat for the second time this month, I have traveled for around 50 hours since the end of last month. A new group of volunteers arrived in Morocco a couple months ago, and I am presenting to them about the Gender and Development committee with another volunteer.
Work here is excellent. I finally have an active aerobic/ exercise group, and I hope to also have health and nutrition activities with the women and girls that attend. They are very enthusiastic about exercise, and they make me laugh every time we have class. I have around 80 English students every week, ranging in age from 12-60ish. I teach more women than boys. I really enjoy ESL.
Homesickness doesn't go away, it just changes. When we passed a country road with a cow on it this morning of course it made me think of my home and it made me miss Wyoming cows. I never thought I would miss cows from Wyoming. But then I saw a herd of camels and was reminded that I do indeed live in Morocco.
So in the past year, I have learned:
Showers aren't really that important but a hot one is to be embraced like you are in a Pantene commercial.
Flour tortillas are easy to make.
You can consist on a diet of lentils, yogurt, and popcorn.
Lying is okay if someone asks you what your religion is or if they want you to stay at their house.
Past perfect progressive: I had been dying to go running in a t-shirt and shorts.
British people spell english words differently than we do.
It's really fun to say "Bsssha???" (is that true?) after everything someone says.
I am really good at spending time alone ( I am an introvert).
I am really bad at spending time alone (I am not that much of an introvert).
I do not become fluent in a language after living in a country for a year.
McDonald's burgers ARE delicious.
I am experiencing everything that I hoped for.
