Our last week in Morocco flew by and our time in Morocco has
come to an end. It is a beautiful country with kind and hospitable people. I
would love to return someday.
On Monday, we returned to the Medina, and then went back to
the Mausoleum of King Mohammed V. The grandfather, father and uncle of the
current Moroccan king are buried there. We went here on our first week but were
unable to enter the mausoleum because some dignitary was there.
On Tuesday, Harold and I took a walk then came back to the
home base in time for Khadija to put henna on our hands. Wednesday, we took
another long walk (getting a little lost on the way back).
On Thursday, a woman from Harold’s class invited him, Tyler
and me to her home. Another student picked us up and we met a third woman at
the house. The welcome we received was amazing beyond words. Her two daughters,
her nephew and a friend were at her house when we arrived. We were greeted at
the door with a traditional Moroccan welcome: a small glass of milk with orange
blossom juice and a walnut filled date. After talking for a while, we were led
to another room where the homemade dishes just kept appearing one after
another. This lasted for over three hours! They said that this kind of feast
for guests is not at all unusual. All we can say is “delish.” Needless to say,
we couldn’t eat any dinner when we returned to the home base; however, we did
all go out for a Moroccan mint mojito as a goodbye gesture to us.
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| One of the many many courses of homemade Moroccan delicacies |
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| Our gracious hosts for the evening pose with us. |
Today was sad. We first had to say goodbye to Andrea (the
volunteer who was with us for four weeks) and Khadija (the woman in charge of
the house whom we had grown to admire so much). We had our last classes and had
to say goodbye to our wonderful students and the staff at our placements.
Everyone begged us to stay, but we have to leave them in the hands of the next
group of volunteers. I hope they’ll be able to continue the instruction of the
present perfect continuous tense, etc.
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| My class at Feminin Pluriel |
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Harold's class poses outside their classroom.
My class had mint tea and cookies on the last day. |
After couscous Friday, several of the volunteers left for the
weekend. Beca and I walked to Marjane, the mall about 30 minutes away, and then
came back for tea and a nice conversation with Mohamed, the CCS director here.
Now we are trying to fit everything in our suitcases and keep them less than 50
pounds each. The biggest challenge will be to get our tajine home in one piece!
So, we’ll have dinner at 7 PM, and then be up at 5 AM for
the flight home – the end of a wonderful six week experience and the beginning
of life back in Maryland with family and friends. Life is so good!
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