Moroccan Adventure #5-- Days 6 - 7

End of Sunday, May 14

Hi Folks:

We were escorted to the home of our hosts for 2 nights. Fatima (wife and Friendship Force member) Mohamed, her husband, Bouchra, their daughter, Mohamed their son, and Selma the youngest daughter and all of them were delightful. Bouchra spoke very good English and she was a great help to us. They had prepared a nice bedroom with 2 small beds. Accommodations were not luxury, but they were as good as their own. We were served tea and cookies then we got organized for bed. We realized that food was being prepared and, sure enough, dinner was served around 11 PM. Culture shock – that is when Moroccans eat their big meal!

Monday, May 15
After breakfast, Fatima took us by taxi to another friend's house where all the women in the group were given the opportunity to have a henna tattoo on our hands. Mine starts from my finger-tip on my right hand then extends up my arm both front and back. It was great fun, and no problem here in Morocco, but I fear it may look a little silly when I get home. It is expected to last for some time!

Lunch was served to us there and a good time was shared with the other members of the Azrou Club.
In the early evening we visited a school where we had the education system explained. The school children were very excited to see us and ran up to practice a few words of English and making it clear that they wanted either handshakes or hugs. We had prepared donated school supplies which were given to the principal. Our evening was free to spend with our family. There is another daughter in the family who attends university in Atlanta GA, studying to be a doctor of Pharmacology. At my request they prepared a very small dinner and it was served early as we must meet the bus next day.

The home was, as expected, very simple. We are prepared on these trips to meet people and learn about their culture. The houses are different, the furniture is very different with normal being velvet covered narrow couches on every wall and hand-made rugs in the center. Almost every table we saw was round, frequently with castors on the legs to wheel it where needed. A huge dish of couscous is placed in the center of the table, with meat and vegetables piled on top. It is good manners to eat the vegetables first. Everyone eats out of the same dish with the right hand, which is tough for left-handed Ron.

The culture and the religion are different, but the people are just the same! We were embarrassed by the gifts we were given. It seems to me that Moroccans are a loving, generous culture. We saw several demonstrations all peaceful and well organized expressions of Democracy. To the last person I never heard anything but praise for their king. They are Muslims who follow the teaching of the Koran.

Bouchra is on Face book, and has already friended us! We expect to keep in touch.