Ramadan

Well folks, Ramadan has started. A month where you can actually sit all day and do nothing with the excuse, “well, it’s Ramadan.” Yes, no eating or drinking, or any sort of enjoyment until sunset. Transportation stops, intense labor continues, and everything that you just got use to, has turned upside down. It’s so much fun.

But let’s backtrack a tad bit. Last I left you guys I was head off to Post Service Training. And oh how glorious it was. Actually, it was nice; seeing friends, sleeping in a hotel, food that’s paid for, getting to see the new Harry Potter (oh yeah, don’t think I would have missed that!) no complaints. And at the end of our week of sharing our feelings, experiences, and stomach problems, we ended our week with a Gayla. That’s right gaYla. With a movie (“But, I’m a Cheerleader”) the first night and then a giant dance party (same sex date appreciated) the second to help support our Pride group over here, we celebrated in style...

Ahh date night.

My date for the night, Fatima!

Some of my more appropriate artwork!

This one, not so much, but I tried!

The couples.. and yes, those are my little pink shorts he's wearing. No judgement please.

So yes, Ramadan started last week and it has been a interesting site. Life switches from day to night and it is definitely a time for family. Families travel long distances just to be with each other for the the celebratory month. And right as the sunsets, those fasting are just so excited, (or at least I am). Because it’s at this time when you can finally take that sip of water, taste that soup you’ve been cooking for the past 2 hours, and rip off a piece of fat bread (bread stuffed with onions, peppers, tomatoes, chives, pieces of fat sometimes, depends on the family) and stuff it all in your mouth. It’s like watching an Italian family eat- hands reach for everything, everyone’s talking and asking for things, complete chaos. I know this to be true, I’ve witness an Italian family eat thanks to my last roommate Alessandra (but there’s no wine here with break fast, darn.)

After five days of trying to get out of my site just to get my rent money, I am finally out, sitting on a terrace cafe and full from another volunteer’s host family’s food. I’m having another case of writers block, so I apologize. Not much has gone on since I’ve left post service training. Wish I had some more exciting news for everyone. But the basics: I’m meeting new people every day, I made a garden and fire pit in my yard, I screamed at some kids for banging on my window, the usual for life in Morocco.

I hope to write more and have some more for you guys next week! Sorry about the short entry.