I was emailing my dad, and thought I would post some of it here, because it provides a little insight into this town any my experience here.


First, the weather has been awesome here for so many days in a row, its truly hard to remember how cold and crappy it was.   Its actually been “hot” but I have refused to utter a single complaint in light of how the weather was before.  Today is surprisingly cool, but generally, its been awesome, with nighttime walks a nightly occurrence.  The world of Ifrane walks at night and everyone knows everyone, and its truly a small town atmosphere.  Literally everyone stops and says hello to everyone, and "hellos" are not "hey, what's up" and continuing with their stroll.  It is invariably a 5 minute inquiry into their health, the health of their family, the thanks for a healthy life (hamdullah), and a pleasant good-bye.  You might "walk" for an hour and cover about 100 yards, due to the numerous greetings.

 I probably know one out of 5 people I meet on our walks, with “salaams” and “ki dirs” (how are you) being uttered a dozen times.  Sometimes I’ll walk around with the baby,just the two of us, which is pretty cute. I definitely feel like part of the family when my host “mother” says “hak” which means “here” as she hands me the baby because she needs  a break or has to prepare dinner.

When I walk around with the baby (“Malek”), then about one out of two people stop to say hello, because they all recognize her.  ...and it even cuter because people will invariably stop and chat and want to hold Malek, but she grabs me tight and buries her face in my neck because she doesn’t want anyone else to hold her, and everyone thinks that is the most adorable thing.  I have been with my host family just four weeks, and its amazing how close we are in certain ways.  I know what vegetables my 10 year old (Chaima) and 6 year old (Wi-am) like and don’t like in the salad, who their friends are, when my host sister has a new outfit on, and crazy things like that.  I regret the fact that I haven't been with them the entire 8 weeks (having been with the earlier host family for the first 4 weeks).  I think the bonding would have been even greater (and we all say good-bye tomorrow morning, and move on to our next site).

My family gave me a wallet last night as a going away present.  It is so sweet, with their phone number written on the inside, to remind me to call them :)  I hope I get the opportunity to come back and visit during Ramadan.  They promise me an incredible time!


I'm getting a little nostalgic already, thinking about leaving here.  Its not only leaving the family however.  I've bonded so well with my sitemates (the other 5 people in my class) and the likelihood is that we will all be sent off in different directions, making get togethers much more difficult.  Inshallah, we will be close, with ample opportunities to see one another.  We are so comfortable with each other and have each other to rely on everyday.  Our new sites will involve new people, of course, but not necessarily much connection with other Americans or English speakers.


Inshallah...  A new life begins in just a week, and it will be on to new adventures!