Random/Rambling Thoughts. I was suffering from great homesickness the other day, missing my own comfortable culture a great deal, along with longing for family and friends, even having just seen many of them so recently.
The weather has been lovely, about 74-84 in my house, and not overbearingly hot outside, so no complaints there. I just wanted to be able to run out to the store in my t-shirt and shorts instead of having to change into more acceptable attire. Also, it didn’t seem like anyone really needed me here, that I had not accomplished anything, etc. etc. A pity party was in great progress in my little apartment! Part of the problem is that there is a great lack of work activity during the month of August, and I hear that many PCVs in small business development sector are suffering from similar feelings.
Then I went for a morning walk, and realized that most all the men I met were saying “Good morning, how are you?” to me (in Arabic, of course) before I spoke to them. These are the same men that a few months ago generally made brief eye contact, then ignored me, or said “Bon Jour” if they were the more friendly type. But now they know I am an American (not French) who can speak and understand at least simple greetings, that I am a woman who believes exercise is a healthy thing, and that I am here to help the women and others in this village. I realized that these things alone indicate progress, and a beneficial cultural exchange. My own high expectations continue to plague me!
A PCV friend in my cyber town related to me these thoughts that are worth sharing.
She said perhaps there could be a few young men in our towns who might be tempted to commit acts of terror for the big money (that would go to their poverty-stricken families). Possibly, because they have met one American living here as one of them who is pleasant, is trying to learn the language and help their villages, that they will not succumb to acts of violence. Who knows? She could be right.
I went to the lobby of the Sofitel Hotel in Marrakech recently to meet a volunteer who was staying there with his father who was visiting from the U. S. The PCV will be finishing his service soon and I went to get some DVDs from him. The Sofitel is a VERY upscale hotel. As I viewed the workers in their “costumes,” and the guests coming and going (many in their scanty pool wear), I wondered how many tourists stayed only at places like this and thought they were really seeing Morocco. The hotel reminded me a bit of ones I stayed in when on business trips in DC and other cities with Tom. I was strongly reminded how very rich we are compared to most people in other countries.
Enough philosophizing for this day! Am going to be sending this from my friend Margaret’s place north of Kech where I am fortunate to be spending several days during a Moroccan holiday long-weekend. I think we both are excited to be with a good friend during this lonely month.
The weather has been lovely, about 74-84 in my house, and not overbearingly hot outside, so no complaints there. I just wanted to be able to run out to the store in my t-shirt and shorts instead of having to change into more acceptable attire. Also, it didn’t seem like anyone really needed me here, that I had not accomplished anything, etc. etc. A pity party was in great progress in my little apartment! Part of the problem is that there is a great lack of work activity during the month of August, and I hear that many PCVs in small business development sector are suffering from similar feelings.
Then I went for a morning walk, and realized that most all the men I met were saying “Good morning, how are you?” to me (in Arabic, of course) before I spoke to them. These are the same men that a few months ago generally made brief eye contact, then ignored me, or said “Bon Jour” if they were the more friendly type. But now they know I am an American (not French) who can speak and understand at least simple greetings, that I am a woman who believes exercise is a healthy thing, and that I am here to help the women and others in this village. I realized that these things alone indicate progress, and a beneficial cultural exchange. My own high expectations continue to plague me!
A PCV friend in my cyber town related to me these thoughts that are worth sharing.
She said perhaps there could be a few young men in our towns who might be tempted to commit acts of terror for the big money (that would go to their poverty-stricken families). Possibly, because they have met one American living here as one of them who is pleasant, is trying to learn the language and help their villages, that they will not succumb to acts of violence. Who knows? She could be right.
I went to the lobby of the Sofitel Hotel in Marrakech recently to meet a volunteer who was staying there with his father who was visiting from the U. S. The PCV will be finishing his service soon and I went to get some DVDs from him. The Sofitel is a VERY upscale hotel. As I viewed the workers in their “costumes,” and the guests coming and going (many in their scanty pool wear), I wondered how many tourists stayed only at places like this and thought they were really seeing Morocco. The hotel reminded me a bit of ones I stayed in when on business trips in DC and other cities with Tom. I was strongly reminded how very rich we are compared to most people in other countries.
Enough philosophizing for this day! Am going to be sending this from my friend Margaret’s place north of Kech where I am fortunate to be spending several days during a Moroccan holiday long-weekend. I think we both are excited to be with a good friend during this lonely month.
posted by Connie Genger | 12:41 PM
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