Shwia-shwia l'arabia

There isn't much time for a full post today, but a few things have happened which should be reported.  I was moved into my host family on Wednesday afternoon and it has been a success so far.  My host mother, Siham, is in her 40s and teaches French to children at a private school, so she is perfect for my aspiration to become a fluent French speaker in the coming months.  She does not hesitate to correct me, and also has the patience to let me fumble.  Her husband is a banker named Said who appears very European although they were both born here, in Rabat.  My host siblings are Lilia, 17, and Nadir, 14.  They are both in high school, though Lilia is studying for her Bac.  By the time we leave she will have taken the most important test of her life, which is a very intimidating thought for those of us in the American school system.  She speaks English fluently and her brother is just beginning to learn.  We have been asked to help them practice their English and in return they will help us acquire Dirija, the local language.

Leah, my roommate from Amideast, is from Rhode Island and is very easy to live with.  We share a room, which we believe is actually Nadir's, and it provides ample space for us both.  I guess living in the dorms might not have been so bad after all.  We are living in a very modern Moroccan family, but there are still conservative bits and pieces.  Examples would be our parents waking up for prayer at 5:50am and that Lilia is not allowed out at nighttime.  The living room is the most Moroccan style room in the apartment, and it is very comfortable with its sprawling couches.

Headlines in Arabic

Homestay of Alaina and Anna

Homestay of Alaina and Anna

A street scene

And yet...advertisement remains the same.

Coca-cola within traditional architecture

A butcher using the teleboutique

Anna taking a photo of a woman who sold tajine n the street.

Cool cars for my dad.

I began seeing women fully covered including a few in burkas.   I will discuss this more later.

View from my host home foyer.

My host home "salon"

Many views of the salon.

Said's prayer rug.

The kitchen.

The bathroom.

Our bedroom.  I am on the left.

Thursday consisted of an activity with AmidEast called Rabat Challenge.  We split into three groups of students and wandered the neighborhood in search of eachother's homestays, a post office, the train station, and an activity in the Medina.  We were told to walk through the souk and find one small gift of 10DR (1.2 dollars) and one ambiguous item of the same price.  Our ambiguous item had to be something which was unfamiliar to Americans, but which plays a typical role in Moroccan life.  My group selected these adorable padded slips which are used to hold hot metal tea pot handles.  Basically a decorated pot holder.  Other groups chose traditional eyeliner and oddly shaped cookie cutters.  The day was exhausting, but I was able to close it out with a skype date with Mr. Nathan, so I am feeling a little more relaxed now.  I finally had a full night's rest.  The first since before I left Milwaukee.  Time to get back out there and handle three more hours of beginners Arabic.  B'slama.