"What is Kempie?" - Alexis, hehe.
hey guys,
we are alive and typing on crazy french keyboards! Today is our second day in Morocco. It has been a whirlwnd of new sights and experiences;from our landing in the Moroccan morning when I was so sleepy that I could not keep my eyes open and focused on the approaching Moroccan landscape, (I unlike some of my wiser groupmates opted to watch Oceans 13 rather than sleep. It was still goood.) to trekking through a colorful and busy fish market where people worked hard despite their fasting for Ramadan. It has been overwhelming and exciting.
I have seen, heard; and experienced so ,uch already, that it is hard to take stock of it all. What I know for sure is that I love Morocco. There are many things I dont understand; not knowing the language is disconcerting,and the gender relations are at times off putting and others intriguing. But; Morocco is also beautiful from its addition of beautiful designs to functional objects; to the friendliness of the people that we meet.
It is different, and I think the hardest thing for me right now is finding myself amongst all that is so different. With everything to which I used to define myself in relation to gone, I am left feeling a little lost. The people who know who I am are not here; so it is up to me show my group and morocco without the famliar things I left behind in Houston. It is daunting, but I can do it. I just have to figure out who I am first, eh? hehe, no worries, I still know that dont like spinach and that I looove chocolate.
Anyway, Tommorrow we go to fez and two days after, we meet our host families. Will write more later. I am excited to be here and miss you all.
Love, love, love,
ellie
Comments
Hey Ellie,
Your initial reactions to Morocco remind me so much of mine when I landed in Tangier 16 years ago. I couldn't speak the language (my Modern Standard Arabic was received with many chuckles) and I was overwhelmed by the cultural dissonance. I just remember all this dust in the airport, shadowed faces in djellabas, and a lonely piece of luggage going around and around the conveyor belt. But after a short bit I got my grounding and had an incredible year of discovery on many levels. The goodness of many Moroccans helped me with the transition. Thanks for sharing such heartfelt sentiments and giving me a blast from the past! Enjoy tonight's iftar and best to the rest of the Morocco group. B'salaama, Alex
Posted by: Alex | September 18, 2007 10:07 PM
Hey Ellie,
So excited to read your post and get a taste of what my first day in Morocco might be like...I'm going to be that annoying teacher type and mention that there were about ten phrases in their that are worthy of a digital story by themselves!! I especially like "Moroccan morning." I remember being in Italy for my semester abroad and being terrified that I didn't know who I was or what I had gotten myself into...but in the end you will find so many parts of yourself through this very struggle and then continue looking..see you in a few days! keep the posts coming.
Piya
Posted by: Piya | September 18, 2007 11:42 PM
I'm very happy that you're going to get this experience, and I predict that it won't be too long before you've centered yourself again. You already did it once in France, so I think you'll find your comfort zone soon.
I know what you mean about the people you know being back in the states. I think everyone in our group is feeling the same way in our respective brand-new college environments. We are united in our division, and new bonds are on the horizon for each of us.
Keep writing about your travels and telling us all about it. We want to know what's happening with our Ellie.
-Michelle
P.S. If you see Moroccan pottery, take pictures of it for me, please.
Posted by: Michelle | September 21, 2007 01:49 AM
Hey Ellie, Excited to hear you've landed safely in Morocco and are making your way through the culture, keeping your eyes open to what's happening around you. I'm definitely a movie watcher (especially when I should be sleeping!). It's relieving to hear that I'll be pulled out of my jetlag in no time!
Like many have said here, I, too, felt very foreign in my own skin when I first traveled abroad. For me, it was the feeling that I could not participate in the culture as much as I needed to observe and watch the new activities happening around me. You're right, it's a new rhythm and dance to daily life for sure. It was and has been so rewarding learning and moving at a different pace of life, and I still take those first days of travel with me wherever I go. New situations and old, now. Keep absorbing, listening, watching, and moving with the new culture you're experiencing. You'll find your steps and show them Ellie, no doubt.
Thanks for helping to paint the scene for my first days in Morocco. See you soon
Remy
Posted by: Remy | September 21, 2007 07:49 PM