Finally Back Home! After one whole month!

So I spent the last month out of my site, and finally, I am home again. To recap, I spent the first two weeks at a training in order to learn more about our Environmental Sector’s framework, and some guidance on ways we can get assistance and grants. I also spent the two weeks catching up with faces that I had not seen since we swore in at the end of April. Most importantly, the training allowed me to get some clarity on the projects that I intend to be focusing on during my time here in Morocco.

After training was over, I spend the better part of two weeks teaching at a summer camp for kids between the ages of 6-14. There were 6 of us PCVs that were involved in the summer camp, and we taught environmental education, geography, and English. I was teaching English, along with another PCV. Teaching went well, even though it is difficult to teach to a vast age difference (they did not group by age), and then teaching English to some kids who had not been to primary school yet, or had just spent a year at primary school.

In English, we taught all sorts of things like greetings, body parts, the alphabet, and seasons, along with other random environmental terms (like tree, air, sun etc.) It was Basic English, and it was kind of crazy to be teaching English in Tamazight and Darija, but also using my French as guidance.

Our job as PCVs was to teach. In addition, we helped out with activities, and bonded with the kids. The kids were so great, and made everything worth it. It was a good chance to use our languages we had learned both in teaching, and just interacting with the kids. I had initially expected all the kids to know my language, Tamazight, but this was not the case. So I learned some good Darija words and phrases over the time, and this was also a good way to bond with the kids.

Overall, the camp was a success. The most important thing was that the kids had a good time. In addition to the classes that they were doing for 2 hours each day, the kids were doing arts and crafts, various environmental activities, and various group activities and games.

While there were some hitches and miscommunications between the way the PCVs thought things should be and the way the directors of the camp had wanted it to be, this was kept mainly in the background, so that the kids could not see it.

The camp was a good learning experience as well for me. I was able to see the planning stages of the camp, and see how this actually played out. All of the PCVs learned ways that we could improve the camp for next year, and have a better oversight of the camp, so that the things discussed in planning could actually be implemented in the camp. In addition, I am probably going to be trying to start a small day camp next year myself, and so this information is even more valuable.

Camp and training were both really draining, and so after camp was over I took advantage of a 4 day weekend (due to Moroccan Holidays) and took off with a group of friends to the city of Chefchouen, in the northern part of the country, and in the Rif Mountains. The goal was to have a relaxing trip, just hanging out in the city. That is exactly what happened.

I will attempt to describe Chefchouen Medina (old city). Picture a maze of small narrow streets (more like alleys) with all sorts of shops lining each side. Artisanal shops, general stores, clothing stores, restaurants, and fruit stands. Now picture all the buildings and doors painted a fantastic glacial blue color, with hints of purple. This is Chefchouen, at least the old part of the city. It is a gorgeous place, and sits on the side of the mountain. Luckily, the place we stayed had a rooftop terrace, and you could go and look up at the mountains, or look over the city of blue.

In terms of people, it is quite a touristy city, and sadly I got hassled more than I have been hassled (even in Fes!!!) in Morocco. But it is high tourist season, and there were so many tourists, from all over the world. The people watching was incredible, and a lot of the time we sat at cafes in the main square playing cards (a sweet game called judgment) and just having coffee or soda, and watched the people. Chefchouen has a reputation as a hippie town (due to its location in the Rif Mountains, and what is associated with the Rif), so we saw multiples of dreadlocks, and hippies. In addition though, we saw everyday people, and even families that came to Chefchouen. It is a great place for all. I really urge you to look up pictures of Chefchouen, so that you can see the stunning blue that I am talking about.

Other than relaxing at cafes, and eating good food (goat cheese in particular), I did some shopping, and Chefchouen is known for wool goods like hats, socks, and hooded wool sweaters. I bought some wool socks and a scarf for the winter, at a good price. The artisanal goods were very beautiful as well.

At the end of our time in Chefchouen, the holy month of Ramadan began. So on Sunday, I fasted while I was returning to my site. I am now back in my village, and will be discussing Ramadan hopefully in depth soon. I am glad to be experiencing the Holy Month of Ramadan in an Islamic country, and it has given me insights into the culture of the people and the religion of the people. I shall be posting regularly now again!

Book of the Time: John Steinbeck –“The Winter of our Discontent”
Album of the Time: Calvin Harris – “Ready for the Weekend” (New album from Calvin Harris, and definitely worth a listen if you are into dance type music)

Much Love!
Eric