Gouda's Cheesewheel

Morocco March 8

Today's news-

I have chosen a tentative topic for my ISP (independent study project). It helped a lot to just talk to Lahcen, one of the important people we love so well here. He's been out for a while because of laser eye surgery--he needed to rest for a few days but he's able to teach class again now. In any case, I told him I was considering a project on Moroccan wedding ceremonies, and he said not a lot of people have done projects on it (which I prefer, just because it's more interesting for people to read that way). He suggested I look into a book called Gender on the Market, so I checked it out from the Center's library, as well as a scholarly paper on women's sexuality. Deanna, I saw your name as the last one who had checked it out the Kapchan book, which I found ironic. I've been considering this topic in the back of my mind for a while because my host mom works in the field. There's a name for it in Moroccan Arabic that I keep forgetting, that starts with G--basically she gets brides all dressed up before their wedding. As a result we have people's wedding videos and fancy baskets lying around (they lift people up in the baskets, kind of like the chairs in Jewish weddings). So not only was that my inspiration, but it also means she might be a possible resource when I start my research. So that's got me feeling hopeful again. Otherwise I'm pretty tired after the long busride back from Ifrane and little sleep. I think I'll try to read the book I checked out and maybe take a little nap. Cris, thanks for writing back; good to hear the news from Media; I think I have a postcard in the mail heading your way. Kristin, I realized from looking at my schedule that I will be in a rural village on your birthday, so if you want a phonecall we'll have to do it before that day. Either way I plan on sending a card in the mail and I'm bringing a gift back with me, so don't fret.

Much love,
Greta

posted by Greta @ 11:10 PM