前途: A Year in Morocco

Lunch was a homemade Spanish tortilla and a “Maghrebi Mocha,” a shot of espresso ordered to go from the cafe next door (I brought my own glass) so I could add my own milk-free chocolate powder at home. My meal was delicious, quick, convenient, customizable, environmentally nice, and cost a grand total of ~$2.50 USD. If there was a harira establishment near my house, I could get a delicious, nutritious lunch of Moroccan tomato soup, fresh all-you-can-eat bread, boiled eggs or fried potato fritters, and tea for about $1 USD.

Teachers do not get keys to the classrooms (don’t get me started on this one), and there is a guy who patrols the school unlocking doors according to a handwritten schedule he carries folded up in his pocket. For the first half of the year, he insisted upon speaking French to me, although I told him more than once IN Darija that I don’t speak French, until finally early this semester, he heard me speaking Darija with the guy who has keys for the projectors and computers in the classrooms. Ever since, he makes a point to greet me in Arabic, and doesn’t seem to be getting over his delight with the novelty of an American speaking Arabic.

Classes end after next week. Exams will continue for probably another month, but I’m not involved in them. I am not really ready to be done teaching, but despite the cheap and delicious food, I am feeling ready to be getting back to the US. I have all sorts of things to do before I leave: finish souvenir shopping, purchase a couple items for myself to take home, decide which clothing will be left behind to make room in my luggage, what to do with my apartment and furniture and books, mail postcards, take my fabric to the jellaba tailor, write my final report so I can get my final payment, and pack myself up for the long journey home, all the while reflecting on my time here.

I don’t have much to say for the moment, but it has been a week since my last post, and I wanted to check in as I move towards my departure.