Day 5

Woke up at 8 today to the curtains being drawn back in our new host families house-lovely. These people know how to get Americans out of bed let me tell you what, last family had a cow bell they rang so I’m assuming they have to deal with this issue quite a bit…haha. Anyway, another long day but another amazing one none the less. Went to what could be considered a Moroccan style YMCA this morning and could have been the coldest and most wet I have ever been-none of my clothes are dry (maybe a shirt or two now that it’s the end of the day) but oh well I managed. Another bummer was that I think I got some sort of rash on my hands from the Hammam last night, but after a trip to the Pharmacy and 2 dollars later I received satisfaction from some hand cream. Know that feeling when you get poison ivy and you first put calamine lotion on-yeah. Orgasmic.
Other than those two things today went really well. After visiting the youth center and learning about the cultural differences between rural and urban Morocco we went to the Artisana which is a place where different types of artists practice their craft. We learned about traditional Moroccan button making (or I tried and failed miserably) and sculpting. By this time I eventually warmed up and dried out, just for the sun to go away and the rain to come back. Not wanting to get hypothermia I decided I would go to an elementary school with the two elementary education majors and Jon to do some filming instead of walk around another Madina (market). However I did miss out on getting some much needed shoes seeing as mine are completely busted out-minor details.
After the school we learned how to write in classic cursive style Arabic which was pretty much impossible but we tried. I learned my name which was about it, pretty big deal seeing as my name consist of a whole 3 letter but whatevs.
Annnnd finally we came back here where I am now typing away to our host families house to have dinner and chill for the night. The dinner was amazing, and I felt a lot better about our connection with the family, we were joking around with them and it felt a lot less forced than last night. We got to have some meaningful conversations about Moroccan culture and similarities and differences within each of our societies. Also, hanging out today and being able to talk to the son who is more-less our age was great. Buuuut I am exhausted again and we are leaving tomorrow morning bright and early to got to Chefchaoen and the middle Atlas mountains so I’m going to get some seriously needed sleep. Peace and Love.