In FosHa we learned a new word today. The word is A'esha, not to be confused with the name and song, A'isha. A'esha means "to live" as in "to exist and have a life in a location." Previously we had learned the word A'skoon, which has a more literal meaning of "to live" as in "to reside in a location." I had used A'skoon to describe my life in Morocco previously, thinking it meant "to have a life" in Morocco. According to this new information, I can justly say that I A'esha in America, but I A'skoon in Morocco. That tastes better on my tongue.
Here is a list of some things that I have enjoyed about my A'skoon in Morocco:
1) The way that the call to prayer and the shouts of protest sound over instrumental music on my iPod. Imagine a beautiful Arabic chant over Deerhunter or Ratatat.
2) The smell of couscous on every street and in every house on Fridays.
3) The variety of religious and western dress at each bus stop.
4) The mosaics, even when they are on crumbling facades.
5) The way men pat their hearts after shaking hands with anyone, as if they are saying, "The soul within me recognizes the soul within you" (for those of you who didnt make a poster for this in 9th grade Unitarian Universalist church group, this is the common definition of the word "namaste").
6) The way every Moroccan, no matter the level of education, is superstitious when it comes to health and will tell you that your cold came from not wearing slippers in the house or from drinking cold water with hot food.
7) The hand of Fatima on homes and in jewelry, (this is a symbol which is meant to dissuade the evil eye)
8) The bustle of the medina.
9) The way any shop owner with play bargaining games with a smile if you speak a word of Arabic.
10) That the world slows down when you get here, and you learn to smell the flowers.
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| The writing above this door asks "Is it not the time for those who believe to open up their hearts to the message?" |
Here is a list of some things that I have enjoyed about my A'skoon in Morocco:
1) The way that the call to prayer and the shouts of protest sound over instrumental music on my iPod. Imagine a beautiful Arabic chant over Deerhunter or Ratatat.
2) The smell of couscous on every street and in every house on Fridays.
3) The variety of religious and western dress at each bus stop.
 |
| Anna posing next to a crumbing door in Old Sale, where the Imam once lived. |
5) The way men pat their hearts after shaking hands with anyone, as if they are saying, "The soul within me recognizes the soul within you" (for those of you who didnt make a poster for this in 9th grade Unitarian Universalist church group, this is the common definition of the word "namaste").
6) The way every Moroccan, no matter the level of education, is superstitious when it comes to health and will tell you that your cold came from not wearing slippers in the house or from drinking cold water with hot food.
7) The hand of Fatima on homes and in jewelry, (this is a symbol which is meant to dissuade the evil eye)
8) The bustle of the medina.
9) The way any shop owner with play bargaining games with a smile if you speak a word of Arabic.
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