RoLLeRCoAsTer

If the “mattress furniture” store was open, there would be no blog entry. I’d be sitting on my new sedari, a kind of stuffed couch, studying Darija/writing letters/planning pillow color schemes instead.

If I didn’t just write a monthly report and compile a powerpoint presentation for training next week (am I back in college? Or facing an “adventure of a lifetime?”), this entry would have been me musing about my “work” here, thoughts on sustainability, and how it would impact what I want to do after service. There would have been lots of open-ended questions too. I’ve been feeling jaded/motivated/useless/useful/happy/annoyed a lot recently—save that for emails.

So instead, because I will be away from my home internet for the next two weeks and feel obligated to update (hi mom!...do I get spam too?), I’ve compiled some random thoughts and stories from this month.

-Only in Btown, not all of Morocco, do people say “waa” to mean “yes.”

-Some men have cute scarves and gloves, which makes me smile to see them. I also envy them because they are warm. Unfortunately, some take my smile as a sign of flirting, so I’m trying to control my facial reactions.

-After I told my supervisor, association members, teachers, and friends that I’ll be gone for a 2-week training in another city, most say things along the lines of “enjoy your vacation”/”when you’re there, you must visit the nearby cities of x & y”/”there’s a lot of snow there” followed by hand flicks to indicate “a lot.”

-The clothes that people see me in are all used, from the flea market or souq, because I didn’t bring a winter “shta” wardrobe with me. I’ve found some goodies, like a Burberry coat and cool yellow gloves.

-People like to practice their English with me. One man with what seems like autism has taken a liking to me. Talking in English, French, and Darija, he makes me wonder what his life has been like. It must have been very interesting.

-When I complain to my local friend of the “fishbowl effect,” she tells me it’s only because I’m beautiful. Whether true or not, we’ll then have a discussion on business theory or jellaba fashion. People like her make me happy here.

-There are a lot of people that give off a “crazy” appearance. Barefoot in 6 degrees and talking to themselves, skipping and whooping down the street, carrying a stick running around town, they, so far, have all been men.

-I’ve been taking an aerobics class three times a week. Before class, I always hate going (reasons include: it’s too cold to change clothes, Akon’s overplayed, I can work out on my own). After class, I’m always in a great mood. Love my new buddies and the feeling that I can excel at something here.

-My town has 40,000 people. Yet, I’m starting to bump into acquaintances at the crowded souk, big markets, and on the road. I love playing the “8 degrees” game to figure out how people I know relate to each other. Degrees of separation are usually a lot less than I think.

-Most households eat couscous every Friday for lunch. Hosts generally give me a spoon and towel to place on my lap. Depending on how the others eat, I’ll use a spoon or my hand. Today I was invited for the first time to my counterpart’s house, a somewhat respected woman who organizes development work in town. Yesterday, she told me I need to do more work (which really upset me because I am doing as best as I can and she has shown no interest in collaborating with me). Today, she complimented me on my couscous “balling” technique. I felt like those two comments canceled each other out. Oh, standards.

-At Georgetown, I joined a for-fun coalition of high heelers against cobblestone. After never wearing heels in RIM and my first 4 months in Morocco, I have rejoined the coalition in Btown (thanks flea market). Although more unwanted attention ensued, it’s so nice to walk around in heels again.

-Avocado + sugar + milk blended together = simple, delicious

-I write entries that put me in a more carefree and happy mood when I finish typing them. It helps me deal with the stress/frustration from feeling incompetent/clueless/useless when I speak/work/try to live here. Writing reminds me why I’m still here.

-I always wonder how much information to share with every story I write about. I think of onions and layers. What’s the most appropriate layer for this blog? Whatever I want.

-Chopping veggies and washing dishes in cold weather where you can see your breath in your house is not very pleasant. I try to stick to one pot meals.

-I recommend reading The Poisonwood Bible, by Barbara Kingsolver. I didn’t sleep much for two nights this week in order to read it.

-Books and libraries (not a place for gov’t cost cuts) are a luxury that I wish more Americans would appreciate and take advantage of. As my language tutor says, “You can tell a lot about a society by its classroom.”