WAAAHHHH boo hoo!!
I cry proverbially for two reasons: one, I am no longer in Morocco (I haven't really cried much about this yet) and two, I wrote a very detailed email outlining the anecdotes of today, but somehow accidentally CLOSED THE WINDOW it was in with no remaining trace of it. Thus my hour at this expensive cyber café was essentially wasted and my email is no more. So, the basics before my hour is up--I am in Paris; I felt really dumb today, but asking questions got me where I needed to go (not without making me feel more dumb first); when I try to speak French, people ask me if I speak English; I am poor and this cyber is 3,50 € and hour, so I probably won't be able to write email again until I get home next Tuesday; I plan to attend lots of free attractions and ride the bus and metro a lot, because my money was alotted primarily to the hotel (30 € a night--quite cheap and very nice but shared with two random women) and to a 5-day transportation pass. I think that is all I can fit in my limited time. So sorry you all didn't get the more detailed version of the email which vanished into thin air. If people want to help me move, I'm aiming for Wednesday the 25th. To my parents, please contact Securcare and tell them this is the day I will come get my stuff out, so they don't overcharge me.
Also, congratulations to Dan on graduating.
OK, no more time, off to be Frenchy (if the Parisians will let me). Love to everyone, especially my family.
Greta
Morocco May 16
Almost ready to leave. I am doing a little last-minute travelling and souvenir investment. I got a cheap (but fairly durable) plastic shopping bag with zippers for 15 drehem (less than 2 dollars). This will hopefully hold the excess stuff I've accumulated, plus I'll look just like all the Moroccan women in the train--yippee. In any case, I've got to go reflect and relax a little and plan for Paris. Mostly free-admission attractions on my itinerary I think, but there are plenty of cool ones. Hope you all are well. Looking forward to seeing people, and dreading cultural readjustment (just a little, meshee bsef). Jenn, could you please remind me of the discrepency between when we move out of summer apartment and into fall apartment? I need to plan for this. Also, I still need help moving. I'm going to give a definite date if no one has any suggestions and just go with it.
Much love,
Greta
Morocco May 13
AAACH! Friday the 13th! Woke up this morning to the screaching of swallows who were trying to fly in the open hotel room window--very Alfred Hitchcock. Otherwise everything is fine so far (knocks on wood). Tomorrow I present and then Sunday I do a little last minute travel and on Wednesday morning I leave for France and eventually back home insha'allah. Anyone who would be willing to help me move my stuff from storage to the apartment sometime after the 24th, I would love you forever and give you small Moroccan or French tokens of appreciation. Large cars are preferred (to move the couch and mattress) but anything is appreciated. Tell me what dates are good for you so I can inform the storage place. I look forward to seeing everyone. Take care of yourselves. Chris, there is no Red Tea in Morocco. Celestial Seasonings lied to you. However, I will make you the local mint green tea if I remember to buy a Moroccan teapot before I leave. That goes for my family, too, and anyone else who can supply me with fresh mint.
Much love,
Greta
Morocco May 9
Turned in my ISP just a little while ago. Not perfect, but then again it can't be in 3 weeks. I'm not going to worry about it. I had fun. Tonight they house us at hotel Splendide. Tomorrow I'm sneaking back to Kinetra because it is Himi's birthday. Thursday we start presentations. Not enough time to talk now. Stupid expensive cyber. Here are some more pictures: the first, Where I'd Rather Be Right Now (aka Essaouira); the second, dancing with Mohammed Khalil at the family farewell celebration in the Center--also an indication of what a djellaba looks like.
Much love,
Greta
Morocco May 3
So since I last talked to people, I've come back to Kinetra. The cyber cafes, at least in my current case, are cheaper here. I planned to leave Rabat Friday evening, but my host mother received some American students from Spain and I felt obligated to stay at least till the morning to help translate (they knew Spanish, but no French or Arabic to speak of). Saturday morning I attended an English class (my friend's brother teaches it) and had a discussion with the students to collect some final data before beginning my analysis, which is what I've been up to this morning until I came here to write you this email. But anyway...
Saturday after the discussion we took the bus back to Himi's house and took it easy most of the day. At night Himi, Fadil (Himi's good friend) and I had a little dance party at Fadil's house, which was much needed. Sunday afternoon was spent at the beach here called Mahdia. No sun at first, but we swam anyway because it was also much needed. At the end of the day we were all in quite good spirits. Yesterday (Monday) I washed clothes Moroccan style, with no washing machine, because--as you might have guessed--it was much needed. The evening brought Harira (essentially tomato soup full of things like chickpeas and pasta) and then impromptu music; Himi and his brothers made percussion with bowls and spoons and a plastic stool and I danced until I was red in the face and we were all laughing hysterically. I will miss those opportunities the most, I think. Anyway, now I need to get back to work, rewarding myself occasionally with the small portions of cream cheese I just realized exist here. Mmmm, cream cheese.
My thoughts are with those of you having final exams right now. Karen and Kristin, my thoughts are also with you, because I know you are going through some tough times. To everyone, I'm sorry I'm out of touch with you all. It's kind of a necessary condition of being here. I look forward to being home again and sharing stories of the past two months. Write me! Maureen, you did write me, and I thank you; it's good to hear from the Media Library now and then. So off I go
Best wishes and all that stuff
Greta
