Mixed Plate

Btown updates:

-After a couple weeks of travel out of site, I came home to unwanted guests. Thank Allah they weren't cockroaches (aka "oil stealers" in Darija). Instead, wasps have built two nests on my rooftop stairway, and I got my first bite two days ago. Town remedy: hit the nests in the middle of the night then run away. Will I listen? Stay tuned...

-According to a recent television movie, Chinese people eat frogs. An influx of rude kids in town have come up to me just to ask if I eat frogs. Despite being colonized by the French, Morocco has yet to welcome cuisses de grenouilles on restaurant menus.

-My Chinese American PCV friend came to visit this weekend on her way to Fes. The morning she left, the local police called me multiple times and visited me to confirm that I was indeed in Btown. They even called me a liar when I said that I'm not in Fes, but in site. It's great that they care about my whereabouts so much. Too bad all Asians look alike.

-PC has asked us PCVs not to share our opinions about what's been going on in the news with our community or online. So instead, I'd like to share some summarized reactions from Btown community members that I found interesting. These quotations in no way reflect the general view of Moroccans or Btownians. They are just a random sampling from conversations with a few community members.
o"The 'war' in Marrakesh was not started by a Moroccan, but by a foreigner trying to scare tourists. The bombing is bad because tourists will be afraid to visit Morocco and buy rugs. Rug sellers are crying because they are afraid about their work future."
o"Don't be afraid. The bombing won't happen again and you are safe in Btown. Don't travel to the big cities; just stay here in Btown, and we will take care of you."
o"Who is Osama bin Laden? What is Al-Qaeda?"
o"America is happy Osama is dead, but we Moroccans are crying because Osama was a good Muslim. He cared about his fellow Muslims and was a descendant of the prophet."
o"America and Morocco are friends. We can't be mad at America because we [cooperate with]/[are helped by]* each other."
o"Americans are happy killing Muslims. Are you happy Osama is dead?"
o"Osama is dead. Gaddafi's son is dead. If God wills it, Gaddafi will be dead too. Libyans are bad."
o"Oh really? Osama died? Your brother died?"

*Interesting note, the verb "to cooperate with" is the same as the verb "to be helped by."

-My artisan girls' Rabat craft fair collection and account-keeping are progressing very nicely! I'm very proud of their ambition, innovation, and dedication to business planning. A local painter will also be attending this fair: his first event with PC. Inshallah, tout sera bien.