despite all of our differences, we are all the same

so as i've said before, i do this thing called "women's cafe" on saturday nights. who knew that this thing would prove to be a way for me to delve inside the brains of these women.

so a few weeks ago, things were happening as usual. dancing, eating, chit chat. you know, nothing too exciting.

then we all sit down for a little breather and two of the women go to the board and grab some chalk. they are giggling like little school girls and using their bodies to cover their artwork.

next thing i know, the room abrupts in hysterical laughter. i look at the board. "are you freaking kidding me?!" is the first thing that runs through my head.

without going into a lot of detail, lets just say that these middle aged, covered up, seemingly conservative berber women have just drawn and EXTREMELY obscene image on my chalkboard and are entirely pleased with themselves.

i laughed, but i was shocked. they then erase the first image and draw another one, this time featuring a man and some sort of dog/wolf creature. no, the man was not petting the dog.

if only i had a hidden camera and could have pictures as proof. everyday is an adventure.

Ode to the Slaughter

Twas the night before l3id
and all through the city,
Thousands of sheep thought "oh what a pity!"
Their lives before had been so much fun,
but early tomorrow their hearts would be in a bun.

the people all shopped for new clothes and new shoes,
you must be very clean to avoid slaughter blues.
they made lots of cookies, and cakes and of treats,
we must have something to counteract all those meats!

with less than 12 hours, before the big feast
the children all dreamed of the passing of that big beast.
the beast who slept poorly cause he knew what was coming
no more would his life be of eating and sunning.

Happy Eid to all and to all a full stomach!


It's a work in progress people, i'm no poet! but i did have a very enjoyable feast this year. Unfortunatly it was on the same day as new year's eve, but that's life.

I'm happy to say that i stayed in my apartment until almost noon in order to avoid the action. i think one year is more than enough. When i got to my host family's house, they were finishing up the goat (two families, two animals!) and starting on the inerd kababs.

I ate them. yep, i ate kababs made of heart, lung, liver, fat and other various inerds. aren't you proud! not bad as long as you dont think about it too much. lots of spices and the bread really makes it all quite tasty!

i then put on my brand new Emelheff and went off for some visiting. I went to the homes of three different families and enjoyed lots of tea and cookies. it was so much better this year because i'm just so much more comfortable. i know people, i move around, it's great!

then i stayed the night at a friends house and we drank a little whiskey to bring in the new year. it wasnt the most fun i've ever had, but not too shabby.

This week is school vacation, so i'm taking it easy. doing a lot more visiting of families and socializing these days. it feels good. 11 months to go.

the market before the feast was huge and bursting with people!!! here they are picking out the perfect animal to sacrifice.

and of course stocking up on fruits and vegetables!!! this is how i buy my food every week. we have the market on tuesday and wednesday.

spices!! i love how this looks, but it must be a pain to pack up everyday.

this is the store of my tailor. he does great work!

you can buy anything you can imagine at the market.

me and my host brother and some neighborhood kids on the day of the feast. dont they all look great in their brand new clothes!! and yes, i even bought that shirt for the big day :)