MORE PHOTOS

CLICK THIS LINK TO SEE MOROCCAN WEDDING PHOTOS AND MORE

PHOTOS

Jim (Muriel's son) and his partner Nick have just returned from a trip to Morocco.

Click here to see the photos.  

ANOTHER 15 MINUTES OF FAME

AARP magazine recently published an article about the Peace Corps

with a profile on yours truly.

Here's the link.  

MURIEL MEETS HILLARY

CLICK HERE FOR THE STORY FROM CNN

NEWS

We had all 8 of us piled into a taxi for our return trip to Emmy's house where we were staying for our training session. It was Ramadan and close to sundown and FOOD for those fasting was riding in our trunk. So everyone was eager to get home. 8 PCVs and a driver were already loaded when another devout fasting Muslim pleaded to join us. He climbed on our laps in the back seat & off we went over hills & valleys,and across streams, laughing & joking. Arriving just before the magic hour, we unfolded from the taxi all 9 of us and went to the trunk for our pizzas only to find 2 more "brothers" in the trunk with our Italian treat

Lo and behold we are finally off and running. October 15 marked the special day we, Brian, Blake and me, had a program at the primary school, MSMOEAT LMDRASA TANANT. We had met with the Director of the Ministry of Education and he was most gracious and gave us immediate authorization to work in all the schools in our towns, and called the permission so we could act at once. Fortunately we met the school's Mudir (principal) at the store and made arrangements to visit is the next day - October 15th! He took us to 6 classrooms where we talked about the 5 critcal reasons for hand washing with soap: Water alone does not kill germs, Washing with soap prevents the spread of germs, The most important times for washing are after using the bathroom and before eating, Children are agents of change and can influence others to use this practice, Many lives are saved, Lots of money is saved. We made our demonstration to 191 students! We plan a follow up next month.

BIRTHDAY

Thank you all for the greetings on my birthday. We were at a training session for the Volunteer Support Network which counsels those who are having problems. There were 6 of us and 2 trainers all staying at Emmys house in Imintlt which is south of Essaouris on the Altantic coast. The water situation was pretty bleak, but she had a "waterboy" who twice a day refilled our water containers. The rest of it was a hoot. On my birthday they baked a large brownie topped with candles that wouldnt blow out! Nearly set fire to the Place amid gales of laughter. I had 44 emails, most of which I answered, and numerous text messages including one from our Director David Lille. The 8th was supposed to be a travel day homeward bound but I went with Kaitlin to the beach at Essaouria. And that was a treat. We bought ice cream cones and watched the ocean while we ate pizza. I spent the night at her house and returned home on the 9th, pooped but pleased with my 85th

DAILY LIFE

The following is from an email was sent to a dear friend, Fabienne Gauthier, who was inspired to become a Peace Corps volunteer in Morocco as well:

A lot depends on your site.  The first 2 months are intense training in culture, customs & language.  (You might want to study Moroccan Arabic before you come.  You'll probably learn one of the Berber dialects but Arabic is helpful.) With site assignment you will know better what the options are.  Some of my buddies have been assigned near cities and others are at really remote sites with water & electric only a couple of days a week.  I am lucky because I have everything at my fingertips: water, electric, hanuts, sibtar, souk, Cyber, hamman, post office, and cafes, only thing missing is a bank.
Because of my language lack I haven't made any "friends" but everyone is welcoming and affectionate.  They are amused with my stumbling tashilheet, but encouraging. Many of them, expecially tradespeople, understand a little English so we get by. Each day I study language, read a little and shop.  Right now my project is on hold until school reopens and Ramadan is past in October.  
Normally I have tutoring twice a week for two hours which takes most of the day since I have to travel an hour to the tutor and wait for transportation.  Some of my best hours of meditation are spent in taxi stands.  Right now the tutor is on vacation.  
There is a certain amount of washing of floors & clothes - the dust is wicked - and the heat is debilitating, so napping is a major thing for me.  It's quiet here at night.  Sometimes I sit outside with the neighbors & chat, or just read. Food is no problem.  Fresh fruits & vegetables are plentiful and cheap.
The apartment boasts two plastic chairs, two wooden tables, a fancy bed! and some kitchen stuff.  No blender, pressure cooker, or couscous pot and no refrigerator as yet, but mashi mushkil, no problem.  Just have to shop everyday.
And that's the scoop.  Keep the faith.  love Muriel