Preparing for takeoff

Return leased car- check

Cancel insurance- check

Cancel phone- check
Cancel netflix- check

Spend lots of money on pre-departure food, drinks and fun- check check check

T-1 day until I depart for Egypt and all that's left to do is pack. I find packing to be a daunting, yet exciting task. It's impossible to fit everything you want, so what a fabulous way to de-clutter and simplify. Last time I undertook it all I had was a list ofrecommended items and an intense fear that I would leave behind something extremely important.

This time, there is no fear. I know exactly what I want to take and I know exactly what I'll be able to buy in Morocco. It's a pretty great feeling!

I've spent the last few weeks in my hometown of Mason, MI for family time. Thanks to all those who participated in the various parties and dinners. It's been a great few weeks!

Dinner and drinks with Gloria and Brenna

Family barbeque and pool party

Baseball game with Dad, Sue, David and Arika

Off to Egypt tomorrow. Wish me luck!

The Whole Story - Part 2 of 3

The Middle

Soon after the party, Mohamed went back to the capital (a 14 hour bus ride away) and I officially moved into my own apartment. Life on my own was great and having Mohamed made it even better. In an odd way, being long distance was the perfect scenario.

hanging out in the capital

With PC headquarters also in the capital, I had to go there for medical visits, training sessions and other random activities. These events were all opportunities for me to see Mohamed and when I was there he was my tour guide. We spent days walking the city. It was freeing to be in a place where I didn’t know anyone and didn’t have to worry about people seeing us together. We could hold hands and go to cafes. We visited all of the main attractions and explored all of the places tourists would never go. I had an insider view of the city and loved every second of it.

Seeing the sights

When we weren’t out and about in the city, we were at Mohamed’s hanut (general store). When he was 11 years old, his family sent him to the capital in search of better opportunities. His uncles had a few stores and he moved in with them to learn the business. Soon after I met him, he opened a store on his own (he now has two!). His brother worked with him, but hours in the hanut business are long. He generally works from 7 am to 11 pm and is sometimes lucky enough to get a nap in the afternoon. When I was in town, I’d bring a book or my journal and occasionally reorganize snack cakes. The best part of life in the hanut was all of the delicious food that Mohamed would make for me. He’s an outstanding cook- even with just one pan and a tiny gas stove. I was spoiled.

Me in Mohamed's newest hanut

Since his family lived near my town, he also had a perfectly legitimate excuse to visit a few times per year. Being so sporadic, the sneaking around was minimal and we managed to be together without anyone in town finding out. I lived on the opposite side of town from my host family and the friends I hung out with, so there was never a chance of an unexpected visitor. I also lived in a building with three apartments, so as long as we didn’t go in or out of the building together, no one in town suspected a thing. It was almost as though the stars were perfectly aligned in our favor.
Mohamed hanging out with my host family

Hiking near my town

Being linked by my host family, I was even able to visit Mohamed’s village and meet his family on a few occasions. He has a great family. His mom, Khadija manages the household in the village while his dad works for a major tea producer in Casa- he spent most of his time away only returning for visits a few times per year. He also has three sisters- Fatima and Rkia (older) and Naima (younger). When I met them, all three were single living with their mother in the village, but two are now married and have small children. His two brothers are both younger and work with Mohamed in his stores.

Mohamed's youngest sister Naima at her wedding

When we weren’t together, we spent our time texting. Sometimes 30 messages in a day, but they were significantly cheaper than making calls. A text based relationship seems odd, but even so he was able to help me with my language skills and it never seemed like he was very far away. Knowing he was there got me through many difficult times and I’m not sure that I would have survived the full two years without Mohamed.

Thanks for everyone’s patience—Part three will be out soon!

And life goes on

According to this little blog here, i havent posted since March 6th. How does that happen? i mean march 6th was almost three months ago. You guys must think i'm really busy over here. And i'm happy to report that i actually have been.

Here are the highlights.

The first week of march i traveled 4 days up north to reach my Spring Language Camp. I was the coordinator of this camp and was in a very small way responsible for its success. We had only 4 volunteers, and 120 students. Needless to say it was not a good ratio and we were a bit overwhelmed. In the end, it was a good camp and the students had fun. Nothing too exciting to report about that.

Following camp, i circled around and traveled down the eastern edge of the country. On my way i was able to do a camel trek into the Sahara with some friends. Now i think most of you know how much i love water. fountains, lakes, waterfalls, oceans. you name it, i love it. So going into this desert trek i was excited, but not too much so. I mean how cool can a place be that has NO water?

I'm happy to report that the answer to that question is: EXTREMELY COOL. I really can't even describe how amazingly beautiful the desert is. it's a mesmerizing ocean of sand. And look i'm not even a good enough writer to make it sound half as wonderful as it is.

We started the trip with an hour and a half camel ride into the desert. We arrived on a day when there was a sand storm, so it as a bit crazy. We couldnt see very far, and our ears, eyes and mouths were filled with sand. When we reached our camp, we ran up the dunes despite the storm, and a few digital camera's suffered the sand's wrath. That night we laid out under the stars, and can i just say that there is no more incredible view of the night sky then in the desert. If only i was better versed in astrology....

The next morning we woke up at 5:30 AM to the most beautiful clear blue skies. All was calm and we ran up another dune to take in the sunset. Again unfortunatly words just cannot do it justice. It was one of the most incredible things i've ever experienced. We could see for miles, just rolling hills of sparkling sand. Yowza. Then we rode the camels back to town, and in a flash, it was all over. If anyone EVER has the opportunity to do this, you must not turn it down.

Once home, i had a few weeks of normal life with classes and lunch with friends and all that jazz. Then the madness started up all over again.

On May 5th i traveled 4 hours to the big city in order to pick up my first American visitors. After 20 months of being on my own, i was both excited and nervous. I mean will i be a good tour guide? will they like it here? So many questions ran through my mind as i waited at the airport. And then i saw them! My dad and sister walking over to the baggage claim. Hooray! they made it!

I can talk about my experience in this country, doing this job, until i'm blue in the face, but sadly, most people just dont get it. and it's not their fault. it's impossible to "get it" without actually seeing it. That was what i was most excited about. Actually showing my dad and sister where i live, the people i see, what i do. Even how it is to travel and just walk the streets.

After a night in the city, we traveled (very authentically) to my site. The next four days were spent hiking, eating at the homes of my favorite families, going to classes and just hanging out. They were lucky to come just before the current heat wave that is melting me at this very moment.

We then traveled around the southern half of the country and i think they were able to get a good taste of what this place has to offer. Aside from a small sick spell, the entire trip was a big success. It was very interesting for me to watch them take everything in. My dad was fascinated with which brands of automobiles are here. I mean, this is just not something i've spent very much time thinking about!After a week of traveling, my sister and I sent dad off to the airport, and headed south to spend some quality time at the beach.

We were total beach bums for three days and loved every minute of it. She was then able to spend 3 more days at my house before she too had to fly out.

The very day my sister left, i traveled 4 more hours in order to pick up a friend from college. My crazy vacation month was not over yet. Talat was here for only 6 days (not nearly long enough!) but she was also able to get a taste of this culture as well as a glimse into my life, and i really appreciate the effort it took for her to come.

So i guess this is a good time for a big thanks to all of my wonderful visitors. I really appreciate you all coming out!

So that brings me to now, where once again i am all alone in the sweltering heat. But it's a good alone. After a month of constant companionship, i'm happy to say that i am very much enjoying having my apartment back to normal, and just being a very lazy girl.

I have six months left here. I can hardly believe it and my mind is filled with thoughts of the next step. The next three months look like they will be some of my busiest yet, so i'm trying hard not to get ahead of myself.

And please dont ask me what i will do when i leave.