Almost Over and Almost Beginning...

CBT is shortly coming to a close. We have a language proficiency test tomorrow, and the day after we will head off to Fez where we will meet up with fellow trainees in the Youth Development sector. Thursday, we are to improvise a Thanksgiving dinner and enjoy an entire day off, because of our holiday (iyeaah!). After Thanksgiving Day we will have two remaining days of presentations in Fez, which will include some serious presentations and one not so serious talent show. Pictures to come, enchallah. If all goes well during the talent show and no one endures the fate of the poor silks girl in Vegas, we will all be sworn into the PC on Monday, November 26th.
If you have not yet heard, I’ve been placed…! My site is a city of about 40,000 people. It is much larger then I had expected, or would have initially preferred. Most of us when joining with the Peace Corps have a very particular image of what the service will be like. In the future vision abroad we picture small villages, possibly no running water or electricity, scarce/difficult transportation, women staying at home with many children and men sometimes working. Although some of us are placed in sites relatively close to that description (although most have running water and electricity), others are experiencing what we like to call the “Posh Corps”. In my example, besides the size and the readily available internet, water, electricity, phone and government services in the town, my new host family also has a washer, a microwave, satellite TV, and a toaster oven in their home. This is of course not to say that all or the majority of the residents in my site live like this, which is not true. Nonetheless, I am provided with privileges here that I did not have in the States (i.e. washer, and satellite TV)!
Although they are far from what I expected coming out of Agdz, I really like my new site and host family. My new host parents are young teachers in their early 30’s with one smart and energetic son of six years old. They have been very kind to host me and I am looking forward to spending more time with them in the upcoming months. The site is pretty, has greenery and seems very laid back. The white walled, short buildings and the relaxed vibe remind me of a southern town in the States. Although large, it has little international tourism (except the expatriates in the summer). The town has a rich history and is the center of pilgrimage for some Moroccans in the month of August. Most importantly the community has many artisans in many sectors. There are weavers, tailors, a Neddi (women’s craft center), silversmiths, carpenters and an Artisana (which has no electricity as of now, but is close to regaining it, enchallah).
For the next entries I think I will address specific topics in Morocco and my experiences with them, i.e. food, customer service, donkeys. You are most welcome to post/send me any particular topics that you would like me to discuss. If I have no requests, I will pick at random. Next entries topic as of now: Moroccan Donkeys.

And now as promised the Halloween photo of me as a Moroccan Donkey with entirely too long ears: