Wanna Go to a Wedding? There’s No Cake, But There Are Stale Wafers.

So, how do you get over being sick here in Morocco? Why, you go to a wedding of course! Granted, I finally felt a little better, which means I actually got my butt out of my bed- which is an accomplishment if you ask me. But, yes, a wedding. My first here actually.

And when I started walking with my Aunt (pretty sure I was going to a wedding) I had a flash of “shizer, I’m underdressed- in my jeans and J.Crew button up shirt”. But, alas, I was not the only one who didn’t bring their A-game of attire. A fellow Moroccan danced her heart away with a sweet Mickey Mouse shirt on. So I felt a tad better.

So, after being sick and feeling that I had done zero integration I had the choice of doing two things: 1. sit there, take it in, and smile when needed to OR 2. realize no one really knows you here, so why not join in and dance, clap, all of it. Those who know me, already know that I obviously took the later of options. After being pushed into a room of about 50 people, and fumbled to find a place to sit while being stared at, I chose to engage in the festivities. Clapping away, swaying when told to, and then pretending I didn’t hear what people said to me (because I didn’t understand). All in all it was going pretty well. I was even told to dance a few times- I politely declined, answering maybe later, not now, God willing in the future (they ate it up).

So after eating, which itself was a free for all, the dancing commenced. But it was at this moment, the moment where I found myself comfortable, did I look up to see my local tahanut friend with his camera phone pointed at me. Now, I, in my ninja like ways, kept my hands strategically placed in front of my face so he could not capture any sort of flattering picture. This lasted for a good 5-6 minutes. Finally, his friend next to him caught eyes with me and it clicked in his head that I knew what was going on. So he told his friend with the camera, and they laughed and shouted my name- it was a good laugh, then I quickly noticed that everyone else was looking at me (God forbid I understand something and joke... but oh well).

These guys proceeded to mess with me the rest of the time I was there. Continuously calling out my name, telling me to dance, and just joking around. It was a comforting awkwardness. And you all know how much I appreciate awkward moments. They’re fabulous. But it was nice to know that there are people out here in the community that are starting to know me. Play with me. TALK to me. When I first arrived to the house (it was at my landlords) he greeted me and was asking where I was yesterday, to which I explained I’d been sick. So even though I feel as if I’ve been missing out on something the past few days- I’ve only been here for a week. I have plenty of time ahead of me, and I already have a few allies' out there.

So here’s to integration... and to those who were very supportive and amazing through me being sick, frustrated and just a bundle of joy in my first days at site. I have never been so thankful for a phone plan. It helps so much to know my fellow volunteers are going through the same sort of things.