Congratulations Week

Wherever I went today in Btown, a warm "congratulations aura" surrounded me. Kids and women ululated in the streets, the scent of cookies filled homes, and people exchanged mabrouks when greeting each other. Moreover, I only got harassed by two men today, and they just called me "beautiful."

Why the good vibe? Two ex-members of the girls' development association I worked with are getting married this week. Yes, I was very indignant last year when these girls (aka my neighbors/teachers/students/chefs/friends) told me they no longer could participate in the association because they were getting married instead. WHY NOT DO BOTH?! I wished were possible.

This week, their families are bustling around, busy with wedding preparations: house visits galore to personally invite each guest, renting equipment (from a tent to pillows to music speakers), baking hundreds of cookies, henna, hair removal and styling, outfit tailoring/renting, and entertaining out-of-town guests.

Unfortunately, I won't be able to attend either wedding because Marche Maroc Essaouira happens at the same time. My artisan (also an ex-association member) and I plan on calling each girl on her wedding day, Friday and Saturday respectively, to congratulate her on such a momentous moment in her life. Both girls (age 19 and 18) will leave their families, virginity, and familiar Btown to move into their future husbands' homes in other towns.

I can't help but recall how I felt leaving HI for DC to attend college and be saddened that these girls won't be part of my routine Btown life anymore. One advantage I have though is the freedom to travel and visit them in their new homes, and both girls made me promise many times that I will. We jokingly wondered how many babies each young woman will have when I return to Morocco in say, 5, 10, or 20 years. They may be grandmothers before I'm even a mother...

The rest of town celebrated the posting of exam results in schools. Each student returned to school to see whether his/her name was assigned to the "passed" or "failed" side of the bulletin board. The Moroccan equivalent of high school seniors also found out whether or not they passed the college-entrance exams. This test affects the future of every child who hopes to continue studying in a university. Everyone I knew in town passed!!! One "high school senior" even texted me to let me know he njah-ted. I'm so happy to see these kids' studying (and cheating?) paid off. Families celebrated with soda and more freshly-baked cookies.

As I'm typing this, kids and families are still outside in the streets at 10PM (or 9PM Old Time). I hear frequent "Congratulations!" and "Ul-lu-ul-lu-ul-lu-ul-luuleee!" Wedding music plays in the background.

One more Moroccan man has my felicitations: my neighbor, Abdelghani. I helped him apply for his US visa, and he flew to America yesterday for the first time. It's also his first trip outside of Morocco, and he will be volunteering with a trail construction project in Vermont.

Yeah Btown!

Oh, and in honor of all the celebrations and American independence, I introduced chocolate pudding, a one-cup measuring cup, and rainbow sprinkles to a neighborhood. Boheja made the pudding by herself, but all the women and girls repeatedly dipped their fingers in the bowl. They participated in the (not-my-fault, honestly) ensuing pudding fight and dance party. I definitely did not expect that, but we had a delicious blast.

PS No photos will accompany this blog because the police gave my camera a virus, and I'm unable to see my photos. Congrats to my mom and her amazing tech skills--she'll tell me how to ameliorate this situation!