Merry Christmas from Morocco

Here is a brief video montage of the first few months of life in Morocco. Enjoy and have a great Christmas. we miss home but life here has its joys and adventures.

Old Stuff

I know it has been a while since the last posting, but hey life gets busy in Africa too. We took a trip to some very old places a few weekends ago, Fes and Volubilis, Morocco. Volubilis is a 1200 year old Roman city, or it used to be anyhow; it is a ruin now, although very cool to wander around in. It is not really regulated liek other ancient sites, so the girls had a great time walking on the old wall, making them a little more ruined than before. Now before yo condemn me as a terrible father and an even worse historian, once I saw them they did get the old lecture about preserving history and not destroying, so they did be more careful. It was well preserved, despite the lack of security, and we had a very friendly and knowledgeable guide take us through the exhibit. Definitely worth the visit.

The second place was a city nearby called Fes. Apprently, according to our guide, it is the most densely populated place in the world. Now, you know it alls, let me clarify. In every city is an old city, called a Medina. It is a walled city, very old, and it is an original medeival city in Morocco. The city has grown up and out over time, but it is the Medina city of 47 hectares containing 350,000 people that is the most densely populated place in the world. It certainly felt that way. We spent the night in a Dar, not a Riad but a Dar. A dar is a house, with a courtyard but no garden. The house has a number of room, which the owner rents to visitors like us. A Riad is the same as a Dar, however, in order to be classified as a Riad it has to have a garden (among many other requirements for that classification). The next morning we wandered the Medina, and experience much like traveling through the human body, around the blood vessels, with "millions" of other red blood cells, only I was a white blood cell. (I did see some other white blood cells, who probably looked as touristy as me.) It was crowded, busy, colorfull, smelly and generally a great experience; the people are friendly and accepting, the vendors were aggressive and persistent, and I still have my wallet. We had a guide, which is the main reason I am not still there, trying to find my way. If I remember correctly there are over 9000 streets in the Medina. It felt like it anyhow. The picture is from the top of a Dar, where friends stayed. looking over the Medina and beyond.

Cynthia

Well in this life sometimes it is the simple pleasures that make it all worthwhile. Today was a good day for the girls. They had there regular school day but after school they have choir, which they get to perform Jungle Book the musical and after that they have Tae Kwon Do. It was an exciting day in Taekwondo because they got their uniform (sorry we do not know the official name for the yet). Emma got hers and wore it home, but unfortunately Hannah will have to wait for a smaller one.

When we got home we unpacked out stuff, settled in, started dinner and made the usual pee stops. I heard a "Daddy come here!" from the bathroom, so I rushed over. It was one of those excited come heres, so I was expecting a cockroach (they fly here by the way) or a rhinoceros beetle, both of which Hannah tells me deserve to live because all God's animals deserve to live. Instead it was the largest gecko we have seen so far. Of course the girls, Hannah in particular, captured him and the proceeded to share the holding of and then releasing to the garden of Cynthia the gecko.

Cynthia explored the armpits of Emma for a while, crawled over both of them and at one time leaped for freedom from Emm'a shoulder. The proportional drop would have killed any human but he scampered away intil the girls recaptured her. She is now free to roam and I must go as the girls are playing different songs on their recorders and it is giving me a headache. Why they do it next to me I will never know. Ah, they just played together. A symphony of recorders. Beautiful!

Ramadan

We have been invited to two traditional Break fasts for Ramadan. A fellow I teach with at the school invited us to his house last Sunday. Seriously, he is the nicest guy. So humble and honourable. And generous. I felt incredibly honoured that he would want to "break fast" with my family.

We arrived at the school at 6:30, just before sun down. He was dressed in his formal traditional attire, and he looked very handsome. He lead the way in his car, after coming over to the girls and asking if they would like to ride with "Uncle Said"(pronounced sa -eed). Oh my goodness, he made me feel like family. Naturally the girls rode with their new uncle.

We arrived at his parents home, which is beautifully tiled with ornate designs in colours of gold, blue and cream. Lying out on the tables were drinks, dates, figs, cookies, cake, pancakes with a thousand holes in them, soup, chicken, fried rice with shrimp, raisins, egg and veggies. There was this fabulous shake made from pears and avocado. You may think it an odd combination, but do not be deceived. It is delightfully appealing and benin (which means delicious - just in case you didn't know)

We were served first, which I felt awkward about because they are the ones who haven't eaten all day and were incredibly hungry. But they insisted - I never really know how to accept said gesture. So I smiled nicely and waited for them to start eating before I took a bite of my own food.

We started with the dates and drink, then moved on to the pancakes. This is the girls favourite part because they put honey on them and then roll them up and eat them with their hands. I think Hannah had 3 or 4 of those and was so full she didn't bother trying any of the other food. Truth is, I got pretty full quite quickly too.

But next came the soup, and it was so yummy. I need to ask my maid to make some. After soup we had chicken, then rice. I definitely over ate and felt crappy afterwards, but the conversation was truly engaging. Mr. Said (as I call him because he calls me Miss Kathleen, even thought I have asked him on numerous occasions to please call me Kathleen) had some great things to tell us about Morocco, Muslim beliefs, family tales. He is so lovely.

He said that he sees many people as family, for we are all the same in so many ways; people who deserve dignity and respect. This is what I believe too. I work with a great team of people. It makes my job pleasurable.

He loves my kids - he loves all kids. For certain, I see that he is a gentle, kind hearted, caring, protective and compassionate man. He spoiled the girls, who got away with (in my opinion), unacceptable behaviour. But he insisted again that in his house, kids are like kings and get to do whatever they want. I didn't really know how to argue with that. He said, "in your house they must obey the parents. But in my house, they can do whatever they want." I wish I was a kid in his house.

After "break fast" his brother went to the mosque for prayer. I asked Mr. Said if he was going to go. He said his job was to stay with us that night. Again, I felt privileged to be in his presence. So kind of him.

Because it was a late start to the evening, we only stayed 2 hours. The girls needed to get home to bed for school the next day. Being well fed and filled with delightful conversation, I slept well. I really like it here. This is a great life.

Perhaps I will get around to telling you about the "break fast" we had with our neighbours, which has some similarities, yet differences too.

Sorry, no pictures.

Kathleen

Driving in Morocco

Drivers here in Morocco are the same as in Canada. Some go really fast, some are impatient, some honk there horns, and give you looks when you do something wrong. Generally they are pretty good, they tend to go at a slower place, and they have definitely learned to share the road, unlike us selfish North Americans who generally think they own the road and everyone else should get out of their way.

Here are some uneducated observations of the driving rules in Morocco.

1. If there is a space and you get there first, it is yours. (and everyone excepts that)
2. If you turn left, you pull over to the right, they actually have lanes, then turn left when it is safe. (not all the time but it happens)
3. There are no real passing lanes, but every lane, or inch of space is a passing lane. Sometimes two pass you at a time. Sometimes they pass on the right.
4. Traffic circles go on right of way. There are two kinds, and you better figure out which is which because the yield rules are different.
5. Traffic lights are on the near side of the intersection. Moroccan who arrive first at a red light pull up past the light to wait for the green. But they can't see itm which is okay because everyone behind them will honk when it is green, and then you know when to go.
6. Scooters are everywhere, along with a few motorcycles and they have to keep to the right, except when coming to a stop, then they can weave their way to the front, threw the cars.
7. Crossing the street, road, highways and byways or freeway is at your own risk. Cars do not stop. so it becomes a game of Frogger. Try it sometime and see what happens.
8. Red lights are sometimes optional when the roads are not busy.
9. Seat belts are the law, but nobody really cares.
10. There are policemen on every major intersection, hanging out, directing traffic and pulling people over if the break a rule. I am told to just speak English fast and look confused and they will just wave you on. It would not even be an act for me, so I think I will try it if and when I get pulled over.

It is much more relaxing to drive here. People seem to be fairly gracious when driving. The rule of first come first serve, seems to prevent the road rage that is all to common in our North American world. I quite like it.

Day at the Beach

Sorry it has been a while since the last post, we are busy with life her, although not as busy as in Canada. It is Africa you know. We spent an afternoon at the beach, one of our favorite pass times. The sand there is kind of like tiny pieces of broken, smooth shell as opposed to sand only. If that makes any sense. It tends to have garbage on it, I think it is because if the dumpage that happens out on the see. Most of it tends to be plastic, be we can get past it and enjoy the exploration of tide pools, sand holes and such.

Whenever we go there are men fishing. They have these huge poles, probably 12 to 15 feet in length, at least twice their height. They stand at the edge of the ocean and cast and wait. The surf is rolling in, and at low tide some stand out on a reef and fish as the waves pound the shor, send spray up over their heads. it is wuite a sight. The girls love to expore the pools, find shells and cathc little shrimp and build them a little home. There are a few crabs around, and they live in little holes in the rock. They are quick as lightning and impossible to catch, but are very cute little critters. I have tonnes of pictures on Facebook if you are my friend. Fell free to check them out.

Dan

Graham and Jessica

We have this wonderful yard guy, otherwise known as a gardener, who has set up our pool, kept up our yard before we got there, and brought our two little girls their greatest gift ever. There names are Graham and Jessica, a boy named after their cousin and a girl named after a friend. They are quite slow and peaceful which is everything mere and pere want as a pet around the house, sorry Flo, you are very cute but very busy, loud and rambunctious, (she is our colleagues pup who came for a visit yesterday). The eat the vegetables and never complain, they are not demanding, and have been made famous by Doctor Seuss, my favorite poet. Here they are with our own two pets.

We have resisted getting any sort of pet for nine and a half years, as our oldest will attest too, along with sister, but since they can live outside in the garden, as long as we block the bottom of the gates so they cannot escape. Graham, whom Hannah calls a naughty boy, escaped from his box a few times, and got out of the yard in search of better feeding grounds. He had us searching the yard and street for the runaway, or should I say crawl slowly away turtle. It is a good thing we did not get pet hares, because contrary to popular tales, they are not slower than a tortoise. They are now safely in a bigger walled box until Sabri can block of the escape routes, which should be today. Which reminds me, we gotta get some lettuce. Maybe we will have to stop at a store along the way to pick up some turtle food. Another simple task, which in our reality right now is a great adventure. Good thing for my spidey sense of direction. Ha!