My sister gave me the best Christmas present this year. She didn't even have to get me a gift, according to our gift exchange policy, but she made me a special box for my travels. In it was a small yellow notebook which has become infamous in the Amideast circle of Rabat. The first month I was taking notes constantly on the strange and unusual. Over spring break it came out of hibernation to be our recordkeeper of memorable quotes. For the past few weeks it has come out again as my organization tool for departure. Its other useful application is now recording what I regard as mundane in my daily life here. I know I have gotten to that point now. I know I have adjusted so well to this city that I could be dropped on just about any street and be able to find my way home in an hour. I know what to anticipate most days. Most days.
So now the duty of this notebook is to record all of those little things that I fear I will forget after a few months at home. Here are a few reflections from the past few days:
Thursday morning Leah and I took a taxi to school because the maid was late coming to the house and we had to let her in. Along the way I had the following thoughts:
1) Driving in Morocco takes courage. You have to be able to reach a 4 way stop and anticipate that no one will stop.
2) There are security guards everywhere. Banks. Homes. Kindergartens. But ask any Moroccan and they will tell you there is no safer place than Morocco. Probably because of the guards. Also, all of these places have high walls topped with broken glass. I remember seeing the same design in Brazil for the first time and being amazed. Who needs high tech electronic systems? Just break a bottle and cement it to the top of your wall. Brilliant.
3) I will miss laiteries. These are small shops, usually lined with fruit, which sell smoothies and glasses of lbin and yogurt. I'm such a good Dairy State girl. I don't know what Virginia is known for yet. I hope I can do them proud, too.
4)Children run in the streets in the mornings. They dart all around cars and taxis on the way to school. Constant "law suit waiting to happen" moments are around us. But people go on about their business. Crazy driving, children running... while my mom was here she noted how we were able to crawl through the Roman ruins around huge pits and on ancient flooring. There is no way that would happen in the states. Maybe having a reliable justice system isn't all it is cracked up to me. Give me Roman ruins over spilt coffee law suits any day. (The children running in the streets fascinates me, mostly because these kids are REALLY good about crossing the street, unlike a lot of our American students here who hover on the sidelines until the street looks clear. FOREVER.)
5)Unfinished construction. There is this tram here. Or, at least, it WILL be a tram. Since we got here it has been opening "next month" open-endedly. There is also something we call "the hole" which, as you can imagine, is a large pit. about the size of four city blocks. There is rumor that one day it will be a Hypermarche. Say it with me "HEE-per-MAR-shay". I have never so much as seen a bull dozer in it. I'm sure it will get started next month.
6) The cars are tiny. teeny weeny tiny. I don't think my brother-in-law Brad would be at all happy with their design. They are usually two door cars which are only slightly larger than smart cars. On the way to school I see Peugeots, Fiats, Renaults, VolksWagens, and Mercedes-Benz. The final is the mark of the taxis. Large white Mercedez-Benz with four people in the back seat and three in the front are the largest vehicles on the road. Also, there are these strange van-type cars which have picture windows, similar to the Honda Element, but more like a tiny ice cream truck. This is the typical mini-van of choice.
Enough ranting for now. Enjoy normalcy!
 |
| Only through the eyes of my mother did I start to realize again what a strange and beautiful sight this is, for example. Two blocks from my house is this amazing square, which was also the location of the Feb. 20th protest. It is still surrounded by police most nights to "maintain order". |
So now the duty of this notebook is to record all of those little things that I fear I will forget after a few months at home. Here are a few reflections from the past few days:
Thursday morning Leah and I took a taxi to school because the maid was late coming to the house and we had to let her in. Along the way I had the following thoughts:
1) Driving in Morocco takes courage. You have to be able to reach a 4 way stop and anticipate that no one will stop.
2) There are security guards everywhere. Banks. Homes. Kindergartens. But ask any Moroccan and they will tell you there is no safer place than Morocco. Probably because of the guards. Also, all of these places have high walls topped with broken glass. I remember seeing the same design in Brazil for the first time and being amazed. Who needs high tech electronic systems? Just break a bottle and cement it to the top of your wall. Brilliant.
3) I will miss laiteries. These are small shops, usually lined with fruit, which sell smoothies and glasses of lbin and yogurt. I'm such a good Dairy State girl. I don't know what Virginia is known for yet. I hope I can do them proud, too.4)Children run in the streets in the mornings. They dart all around cars and taxis on the way to school. Constant "law suit waiting to happen" moments are around us. But people go on about their business. Crazy driving, children running... while my mom was here she noted how we were able to crawl through the Roman ruins around huge pits and on ancient flooring. There is no way that would happen in the states. Maybe having a reliable justice system isn't all it is cracked up to me. Give me Roman ruins over spilt coffee law suits any day. (The children running in the streets fascinates me, mostly because these kids are REALLY good about crossing the street, unlike a lot of our American students here who hover on the sidelines until the street looks clear. FOREVER.)
5)Unfinished construction. There is this tram here. Or, at least, it WILL be a tram. Since we got here it has been opening "next month" open-endedly. There is also something we call "the hole" which, as you can imagine, is a large pit. about the size of four city blocks. There is rumor that one day it will be a Hypermarche. Say it with me "HEE-per-MAR-shay". I have never so much as seen a bull dozer in it. I'm sure it will get started next month.6) The cars are tiny. teeny weeny tiny. I don't think my brother-in-law Brad would be at all happy with their design. They are usually two door cars which are only slightly larger than smart cars. On the way to school I see Peugeots, Fiats, Renaults, VolksWagens, and Mercedes-Benz. The final is the mark of the taxis. Large white Mercedez-Benz with four people in the back seat and three in the front are the largest vehicles on the road. Also, there are these strange van-type cars which have picture windows, similar to the Honda Element, but more like a tiny ice cream truck. This is the typical mini-van of choice.
Enough ranting for now. Enjoy normalcy!
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